国玉の大橋, Rigid frame bridge in Sakaiminato, Japan.
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge spans about 1.7 kilometers across Lake Nakaumi, connecting Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture with Eshima in Shimane Prefecture. This steel structure features very steep grades on both sides that become immediately noticeable when you drive or walk across it.
Construction took place between 1997 and 2004, replacing an older drawbridge that could only handle vehicles under 14 tons. The new structure finally allowed permanent and uninterrupted traffic between the two shores.
The bridge became famous through a commercial that showed its dramatic slope to global audiences. Today visitors come from around the world hoping to experience the striking feeling of driving or walking across it themselves.
From Sakaiminato Station you can reach the bridge on foot or by car, with parking and a viewing area nearby. The experience of driving across it yourself gives the best sense of the steep grade, which is less impressive when viewed from ground level.
Each side of the bridge has a different slope, with 6.1 percent on the Shimane side and 5.1 percent on the Tottori side. These different angles create an optical effect that makes the crossing even more noticeable when you drive it.
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