Tsunoshima Bridge in Yamaguchi picked No. 1 in Japan

Offering spectacular views and the setting for TV commercials and other productions, Tsunoshima Bridge was selected the top bridge in Japan by one of the world’s largest travel review websites.

TripAdvisor, based in Massachusetts, said it calculated its “Japan bridge rankings” using such information as the number of reviews and assessments written in Japanese and posted between October 2014 and September 2015.

One review said of Tsunoshima Bridge: “The sea I found was so beautiful that I wouldn’t have expected it in Honshu. Now I see why they say the scenery is so stunning. The color of the sea changes as the clouds move, so I recommend you stay for an hour or so.”

The 1,780-meter bridge is a prefectural road and connects the Kanda neighborhood of Shimonoseki’s Hohokucho area with the island of Tsunoshima.

It is one of the longest toll-free bridges in Japan, and it opened in 2000.

The bridge crosses a sea of cobalt blue and makes a smooth arc around Hatoshima island. It is particularly popular as a location for car commercials.

Tsunoshima Bridge topped more famous structures in the rankings. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Hyogo Prefecture placed 11th, the Seto Bridge in Okayama and Kagawa prefectures ranked 16th, and the Tokyo Gate Bridge was 30th.

“Even if the place isn’t that well known, it goes up the rankings if the reviews are good,” a TripAdvisor representative said.

TripAdvisor has previously ranked places like waterfalls, castles and hotels, but this is the first one for bridges.

“There are a lot of pretty bridges in Japan,” the company representative said. “We hope these rankings will add another fun thing to people’s travels.”

 

Japan bridge rankings

1. Tsunoshima Bridge (Shimonoseki city)

2. Kori Bridge (Okinawa Prefecture)

3. Irabu Bridge (Okinawa Prefecture)

4. Ikema Bridge (Okinawa Prefecture)

5. Okuiya Niju Kazura Bridge (Tokushima Prefecture)

6. Kurima Bridge (Okinawa Prefecture)

7. Kintaikyo Bridge (Iwakuni city)

8. Aka Bridge (Okinawa Prefecture)

9. Tsujunkyo Bridge (Kumamoto Prefecture)

10. Taushubetsu River Bridge (Hokkaido)

Source and image: Asahi