Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (Akashi Strait Bridge)

The basics

An essential stop on sightseeing tours of Kobe, many travelers visit the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge during a private and customizable tour of the local area’s highlights. These tours also typically showcase other attractions, such as the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, Mount Rokko, Kobe Harborland, and Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. Alternatively, it’s easy to get to the bridge by public transport to discover the Bridge Exhibition Center and the observatory walkways of the Maiko Marine Promenade independently at your preferred pace.

Things to know before you go

• Maiko Marine Promenade is the ideal place to get great photo opportunities of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

• Parking lots are available near the Maiko Marine Promenade, but charges apply.

• Try to access views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge at night. It has the nickname of the “Pearl Bridge” because 28 patterns and colors resemble pearls, and these light up at night.

How to get there

It’s a fun experience to drive across the bridge. However, if you haven’t got a car and you still want to explore the bridge up-close, then you can get to the Bridge Exhibition Center and the Maiko Marine Promenade by taking the JR Sanyo Line to Maiko Station or the Sanyo Railway Main Line to Maiko-Koen Station.

When to get there

As the bridge is part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, it’s accessible by car throughout the day and night and used by around 25,000 vehicles daily. However, the Maiko Marine Promenade and the Bridge Exhibition Center have set opening hours. Both areas are typically open from the morning until early evening, with closures typically on Mondays. However, it’s worth checking the opening schedule before you visit, as national holidays can affect the schedule.

Why the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge was built

Before the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge's construction, the only way to get across the Akashi Strait was by boat. However, this stretch of water was often referred to as one of Japan’s most dangerous waterways, as the area frequently experienced dangerous storms, some of which caused fatal accidents. Therefore, the bridge was built to provide a safe passage that links Kobe with Awaji Island.