The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is the world's largest suspension bridge, linking the Hyogo Prefecture city of Kobe on Honshu with Awaji Island, the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Spanning a total length of 3,911 m, its main towers reach a height of about 300 m above sea level, making it taller than any other structure in Japan, apart from Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower. Running across the bridge is the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, which has a total of six lanes (three in each direction); thus, together with the Onaruto Bridge on the Shikoku side, the bridge is a key structure linking Honshu with Shikoku.
 
More than 1,000 lights are attached to the main cables, and are lit up in a variety of colors, according to the season or the time of year. These give the Akashi Strait a truly romantic atmosphere. As the bridge resembles a beautiful string of pearls, it is also called the Pearl Bridge.
 
Guided tours called Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-Bridge World are offered for those who want to climb the bridge, on which participants can discover the hidden technologies and history of the bridge, while traversing the maintenance pathway that is usually closed to the public; upon reaching the top of the tower, about 300 above the sea, you'll be able to enjoy a superb 360° panoramic view.
 
Accredited by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest suspension bridge ever since its opening in 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge's crown seems safe for some time to come.
 
The Bridge Exhibition Center at the foot of the bridge (Kobe side) provides well presented information about the planning and construction of the bridge and about other suspension bridges around the world, although the detailed explanations are available in Japanese only.
 
The Maiko Marine Promenade consists of observatory hallways under the bridge's platform, about 50 meters above the water. Accessed by elevator from the base of the bridge (Kobe side), the hallways offer interesting views of the bridge's interior, the Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay.
 
Bridge enthusiasts should also consider participating in the "Bridge World" guided tour, which includes a visit to the very top of one of the bridge's 300 meter tall towers. The tour is in Japanese only, held twice a day on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, takes 2.5 hours, involves a lot of walking, costs 3000 yen per person and requires advance reservations.


(source : jnto.go.jp & japanguide.com)
(picture : flickr.com - Aki Toshi)