During our recent trip to Kobe, we also got the chance to see the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. This Bridge also known as Pearl Bridge is built across the Akashi Strait located between Osaka Bay and the Seto Inland Sea. The bridge connects Kobe on Honshu Island to Awaji Island.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is also the world's longest suspension bridge and has a total span length of 3911 meters while it's central span measures 1991 metres. The bridge was constructed over a period of 10 years between May 1988 to April 1998.The Bridge was opened to public on 5th April 1998. The bridge is constructed withstand great earthquakes and resist strong winds. An estimated 500 billion yen was spent on the construction of this bridge. The Akashi Strait has always been an important waterway and before the bridge was built, ferries carried passengers across the strait. Even today about 1400 ships pass through the strait.
The Bridge is lit up from sunset until midnight. Every hour, a rainbow pattern is also lit up for a few minutes. We made a brief stop near the Maiko Marine Promenade to see the bridge.
The Maiko Marine Promenade is a short walk from the Maiko Station on the JR Sanyo Line. The observatory hallways below the Bridge's platform(Kobe side) offers good views of the bridge's interior and also of the Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay.
(Open- 9:00-18:00 hrs/Closed 2nd Tuesday of the month/ Admission - 240 yen/adult)
The Bridge Exhibition centre at the foot of the bridge (Kobe side) showcases the various stages of the construction of the bridge. ( Open 9:30-17:00 hrs/ Closed on Mondays/ Entrance-200 yen/Adult). Visitors can also undertake the Bridge World guided tour on certain days of the week. Advance reservations are required and the 2.5 hour guided tour costs 3000 yen/adult.
The Mitsui Outlet Park- Marine Pia Kobe, in nearby Tarumi also offers good views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is also the world's longest suspension bridge and has a total span length of 3911 meters while it's central span measures 1991 metres. The bridge was constructed over a period of 10 years between May 1988 to April 1998.The Bridge was opened to public on 5th April 1998. The bridge is constructed withstand great earthquakes and resist strong winds. An estimated 500 billion yen was spent on the construction of this bridge. The Akashi Strait has always been an important waterway and before the bridge was built, ferries carried passengers across the strait. Even today about 1400 ships pass through the strait.
The Maiko Marine Promenade is a short walk from the Maiko Station on the JR Sanyo Line. The observatory hallways below the Bridge's platform(Kobe side) offers good views of the bridge's interior and also of the Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay.
(Open- 9:00-18:00 hrs/Closed 2nd Tuesday of the month/ Admission - 240 yen/adult)
The Mitsui Outlet Park- Marine Pia Kobe, in nearby Tarumi also offers good views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
No comments:
Post a Comment