Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Kobe

The great suspension bridge of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge of Kobe is a famous bridge that crosses the Akashi Strait thereby connecting Kobe with Lwaya of Awaji Island. The bridge also known as the Pearl Bridge is part of the Honshu- Shikoku Highway.

Description

The bridge was planned to be one of the three Honshu- Shikoku link bridges that could annex the two borders of the Island Sea. This is the longest suspension bridge in the world. The centre of the bridge spans to a length of 1,991 meters while the total length of the bridge is 3,911 meters.

History

In the initial days when passengers used to travel through ferries in the Akashi Strait which formed the major means of communications. But traveling through this path was not a desirable journey because there are occasional storms. As a result plans to set up a suspension bridge was p proposed.

Though as conceived initially the bridge was decided to be a mixed railway- road bridge. But as work proceeded the idea was restricted to the construction of road Bridge only.

The bridge was opened for public on 5 th April, 1998.

General information

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge of Kobe has three spans with the two projections having a width of 960 meters. Though the centre of the bridge was 1990 meters but the aftermath of an earthquake that stuck Japan in 1995 saw the expansion of a bridge. Further designs and steps were taken so that the bridge could withstand earthquake measuring up to 8.5 on a Richter scale.

The two main supporting towers of the bridge measure a total of 298 meters above the sea level. The bridge expands to a total of 2 meters in a day. As estimated the total cost incurred in the construction of the bridge is 500 billion Yen.

Tourism

This is a major attraction for the tourists who visit Kobe. In order to promote tourism two pars have been built in Asagiri and Maiko. The park in Maiko includes a small museum.

There is a exhibition center at the bottom of the bridge from where you can learn several details about the suspension of the bridge. The Maiko Marine Promenade that consist of an observatory hall some 50 meters above the sea level offers interesting details about the interior of the bridge, the Akashi Strait and the Osaka Bay.

Details

• Maiko Marine Promenade

Admission: 240 yens (on holidays and weekends 300 yens )

Timings: 9:30 am to 18:00 pm. (closed on 2 nd Tuesday of each month)

The observatory remains closed from 29 th December to 3dr January every year.

• Bridge exhibition Center

Admission: 200 yens

Timings: 9:30 am to 16:30 pm (closed on Mondays)