The Kokonoe Suspension bridge in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is one of those magical places that you really can only get to by use of private transportation. The location is very rural and obviously natural and scenic sites like this aren't possible in largesr urban cities.
It can be akin to walking across the sky. Japan's longest and loftiest pedestrian bridge presents panoramic scenes of Oita's spectacular countryside, including two waterfalls, the Naruko River and the valley floor 173 meters below.
Now, if you are like me and extremely scared of heights then you can bypass this location but for those into this sort of adventure/ scenic travel then this place is for you. Having said that yours truly did get out there and participate in this special attraction and I must say that it looks more dangerous than it really is. The wind was blowing heavily on my visit and I wasn't sure if I could do it but more posting purposes I sucked it up and gave it my best shot. I hope everyone appreciated the angst and peril I felt throughout the experience.
The bridge is designed to hold 1,800 people at once, which may seem like a lot until you consider that 300,000 crossed it during the first month it was open in 2006. Views from this bridge are impressive year-round, however the best time to visit is between April and early December, particularly from mid-April to May to see the lush green spring foliage, and in November for the fiery autumn colors. However be advised that every Tom, Dick and Keiko will be here too enjoyed all those yellows, reds and orange hues. It could be an extended wait in peak times.
See the Kokonoe Suspension below on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
The map
Taking a memory Photo
Opening times
From the side
Autumn hues
The entrance
Lush greenery in september
The waterfall far below
The dimensions
I look fine but..........
Please click on the videos below to see more of the Kokonoe Suspension Bridge:
Saikai Bridge is a fixed brace arch bridge 244 meters tall and 1,927 meters in length. The bridge was completed in 1955. Today it has a companion bridge, the Shin (new) Saikai Bridge which was completed in 2006.
The new bridge opened across this channel and has gained enormous popularity which I had to check out for myself. Unfortunately I didn't do my homework before visiting otherwise I would have gone to the footbridge built under the bridge which can be accessed for free. From the footbridge you can enjoy the scenery and also view the powerful currents from the 60cm diameter glass windows in the floor of the observation area. I guess these photos will just have to wait till my next visit!
Hario Straits is one of Japan's three fastest flowing currents and is famous for its whirlpools created by the seawater from the expansive Omura Bay rushing through the narrow strait during the changing tides. The rate of the whirlpools increases particularly at springtime due to the great difference between the tides at this time of year.
Out of interest, nearby are the three Hario Wireless Towers, which transmitted the coded message that launched the attack on Pearl Harbor and triggered the Pacific War on December 7, 1941. They still can be seen and although they still work today they are not very powerful compared to their capacity during the WW2 period whereby the were used because of their operational efficiency and strength.
Check out Saikai Bridge here on a map below:
Click on the photos below to enlarge:
The new Bridge
Swirling waters below
Famous for its rapid currents below
From my previous post, I promised that I would return to the Saikai Bridge and witness the fast flowing waters below after doing my homework and finding the best place to access the attractions in the area. I found out that the best viewing point is from the old bridge from the normal road and not the new bridge which can only be accessed from the toll road.
Here are some more photos from the site seen from a different angle that those above from my original trip: Click on the photos below to enlarge
Nicely mapped out
Walkway
The new bridge
My son enjoyed the view
Birdseye view
The infamous Hario Towers
The old bridge
Panorama
Please click on the videos below to see more about the Saikai Bridge Nagasaki:
