The “world’s scariest bridge” cost over £100million to build – and tourists flock to see it. Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan’s Chugoku Region stretches over Nakaumi lake, connecting the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato, in the Shimane and Tottori prefectures, respectively.
The rigid-frame structure was built over seven years and completedthat in 2004. It is said to be the largest of its kind in the country and among the largest in the world. Previously, drivers had crossed using a drawbridge that would be closed to traffic so that ships could pass. The bridge was therefore built with a relatively steep incline so vast shipping vessels could transit underneath without disrupting vehicle traffic.
Photos of the bridge have been shared widely online due to how daunting the incline appears at some angles, particularly on the Shimane side.
However, images are often taken front on and with telephoto lenses that emphasise the elevation, resulting in an optical illusion that make cars appear to be ascending almost straight up.
One visitor writing on TripAdvisor said: “From side on it doesn’t look so imposing. When you are going up or down it doesn’t feel that bad. But when you are at the bottom looking up, it is mind-bogglingly steep.”
Others appeared to voice disappointment having seen viral images of the crossing online, with one writing: “Purposely drove twice on this bridge but it don’t look at steep as some of the picture or video show.”
JNTO notes that despite its notoriety, the bridge actually only has a gradient of 6.1% on the Shimane side and 5.1% on the other. It’s also widely regarded as completely safe to use.
It stretches over 1.1miles, and side on doesn’t look anything like as dramatic. The project cost a reported 22.8billion Japense yen, which converts to around £106.8million at today’s exchange rates.
However it’s worth noting that the value of the yen against the pound has fluctuated greatly even over the past 20 or so years.
