The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge leaps nearly four kilometres from the Kobe shore to Awaji Island, crossing one of Japan’s fiercest tidal straits on a central span of 1,991 metres — for many years the longest suspension span in the world. Completed in 1998 after a decade of work, it survived the 1995 Kobe earthquake mid-construction, which shifted its towers and lengthened the span by nearly a metre. From the shore it is simply enormous, best seen lit at night; for those who want more, a maintenance walkway beneath the deck and a guided tour to the top of the 297-metre tower are open to visitors.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Tarumi Ward, Kobe / Awaji |
| Hours | Viewing free anytime; tours by reservation |
| Admission | Free to view; bridge-top tour ~¥5,000 |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
| Best time | After dark for the illumination |
What to See
- A 1,991 m central span, once the longest on earth.
- The bridge lit in changing colours after dark.
- The glass-floored walkway beneath the deck at Maiko.
- A guided climb to the top of the 297 m tower.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Maiko Park directly beneath it.
- Cross to Awaji for Hanasajiki flower fields.
- Read our Hyogo overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR Maiko or Sanyo Maiko-koen Station, right at the bridge foot.
- By bus: highway buses cross to Awaji Island in minutes.
Tips
You don’t need a ticket to appreciate it — the shoreline park at Maiko puts you directly under the towers, and the nightly illumination, which changes colour by season and occasion, is the best free spectacle in Kobe. The bridge-top tour is the memorable option but sells out and requires advance booking, decent mobility and reasonable weather.
