Horai Bashi, or 逋莱橋, currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest wooden walking bridge in the world (about 897 meters). Located in Shimada, Shizuoka, this toll bridge was constructed in 1879 to connect Shimada and the Makinohara are over the Oigawa River (大井川, meaning "Big River").
My husband and I have visited many times, seeming as it is so close to our home and a good "tourist" place to show visitors. And it was particularly gorgeous on a warm September evening, as the sun sank down in reverence to the Autumnal moon.
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| Tribute to the bride's world record status. |
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| Looking out over the bridge and the Oigawa. |
As the bridge is a toll bridge, be sure to pay 100 yen/person at either the building below, or drop in the box in front of the bridge. For children, 10 yen.
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| 100 yen/per person to cross the bridge - buy your tickets here. |
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| Tickets |
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| If no one is manning the station, drop your money in this box. |
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| Oigawa River and marathon course (walking/jogging/biking path) |
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| Horai Bashi |
Once you've made it across the bridge, you can turn around and head back, or continue on a short walk in the woods and tea fields, past statues, bells and stones.
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| A sign indicating what you can do on the other side. |
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| The crane is a sign of good luck. |
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| The bell of love. Yes, I rang it. |
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| They look happy in conversation. Set in stone. Ha, ha... ok ok. |
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| The happy ones make me smile. |
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| She's actually based off an Indian god, and does, a lot. |
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| Such a jolly fellow. |
And once you've walked and explored enough, perhaps you head back over the bridge for some soba at the nearby soba shop, or to Apita for, a variety of offerings (it is a mall type store after all, with various restaurants. And crepes!)
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| Apita in the distance on the right. |
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| The harvest moon. |
Want to go?
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How to get there: Go to JR Shimada Station, 島田駅, about 26 minutes from Shizuoka Station, 静岡駅. Horai Bashi is a 15-20 minute walk from Shimada Station, or a 5 minute taxi ride. There are no buses here.
Cost: 100 yen/adult; 10 yen/child.
When to go: Anytime! Although in Winter it's quite cold and extremely windy! However, Mt. Fuji can be seen from the bridge on a clear day, and clear days typically occur during Winter.
Bathrooms: Yes. Bring toilet paper or tissue just in case. Apita also has bathrooms.
Parking: Some.
Japanese required: Only enough to ask for tickets, but you can just hold up your fingers for how many people if you don't know any Japanese.
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