Kurima Bridge, Bridge structure in Miyakojima, Japan
Kurima Bridge extends over 1,600 meters to connect Miyako Island and Kurima Island with a continuous roadway for traffic flow. The structure accommodates cars, bicycles, and pedestrians crossing above the shallow strait, where the water displays changing shades of blue and green.
The bridge opened in 1995, creating the first permanent land link between the two islands. This project fundamentally transformed how residents could travel and connect with the larger Miyako Island community.
The bridge connects two communities and allows people to maintain relationships across the islands while keeping their local customs alive. Visitors can feel this living connection by crossing and observing how islanders move between their homes and daily activities on each side.
The bridge is accessible around the clock to all types of traffic and remains open for vehicles and pedestrians without restrictions. You can stop at the Kurima Ohashi Observatory to take photos or simply enjoy the water views from a designated vantage point.
The shallow waters beneath the bridge shift between different color tones depending on the time of day and sunlight, which makes it popular for photography. Sea turtles regularly pass through the strait below and can sometimes be spotted from the bridge railing.
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