児島湾大橋, Double-deck bridge in Kurashiki, Japan
The Kojima-Wan Ohashi Bridge is a double-deck crossing spanning the Seto Inland Sea, connecting Kurashiki on Honshu with Sakaide on Shikoku while passing over several islands. The structure carries both railway tracks below and highway lanes above, serving two transportation modes simultaneously.
Construction was completed in the late 1980s after a decade of continuous work, representing a major advancement in Japanese bridge engineering. The project transformed regional connectivity by eliminating a significant transportation barrier between the two coasts.
The bridge connects two regions with distinct identities: Kojima on Honshu, the birthplace of Japanese denim manufacturing, and Sakaide on Shikoku, home to temples central to the pilgrimage circuit. This crossing links industrial heritage with spiritual tradition.
To visit the area, take the local train from Okayama Station to Kojima Station, where buses operate to nearby viewing spots. The bridge has accessible observation points that provide good views of the entire structure from various angles.
What stands out is the dual-level design that lets trains and cars cross at the same time on separate decks without interfering. When you walk or drive across, you notice how the engineering solves the challenge of fitting two transportation systems into one structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
