Probably one of the famous bridges in Japan, definitely number one in Yamaguchi prefecture. Not only famous, but also most beautiful bridge. Kintaikyo is a wooden arch pedestrian bridge spanning Nishiki river in Iwakuni city in Yamaguchi prefecture in southern Honshu.
This 5 series of arch bridge is 193.3 meters long and 5 meters wide and no nail is used. Original bridge was built in 1673 but totally damaged in 1950 by typhoon Kezia. Therefore current bridge was rebuilt in 1953 as same as the original one. Nearby the bridge is Iwakuni castle located on the Yokoyama hill and there is Kikko park on the bottom of the him which aerial tramway is connecting the top of the hill where the castle is located. Along with Iwakuni castle and Kikko park, Kintaikyo is one of the excellent places to enjoy sakura, the cherry blossoms.
There is a toll needed to cross the bridge on foot(no vehicle is allowed). The amount is JPY 310 and it is not for one way but for return. There is also discounted ticket including the aerial tramway and the admission to the castle.
Kintaikyo bridge can be accessed by taking local bus from either JR Iwakuni or JR Shin-Iwakuni stations. Iwakuni station is served by JR Sanyo main line and Gantoku line. Also Nishikigawa railway is running to Iwakuni via Gantoku line but please aware that Japan Rail Pass is not valid for Nishikigawa railway trains. JR Shin-Iwakuni is a station only for Sanyo Shinkansen which Kodama and few Hikari trains call. Although Kodama trains are running 1 train per hour, if you are coming from west, especially from Kyushu, take Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Iwakuni. If you are coming from Miyajima or Hiroshima, better to take Sanyo main line trains which run more frequently.
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