Hiyori Ōhashi, Contemporary bridge in Ishinomaki, Japan

The Hiyori Ōhashi is a modern bridge in Ishinomaki that spans across water with a long, sleek form connecting two shorelines. The structure accommodates both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on distinct paths.

The Hiyori Ōhashi opened on 20 July 1979 as a toll road, built at a cost of about 3.3 billion yen and managed by the Miyagi Prefectural Road Corporation. It was the third bridge across the Old Kitakami River mouth, planned from 1973 to relieve congestion in the city centre, where the Utsumi Bridge was restricted to one-way traffic. Tolls were lifted on 1 August 2000, and the Miyagi Eastern Civil Engineering Office now maintains it.

The bridge carries Miyagi Prefectural Route 240, linking the Yunohama industrial port area with the Uomachi fishing port district. Its name, Hiyori Ōhashi, was given to the toll road that opened in 1979. Since tolls were removed in 2000, traffic has dispersed and congestion in the Minato district has eased.

The bridge is well-maintained with clearly marked lanes for vehicles and pedestrians, ensuring safe passage for all users. You can walk or drive across freely at any time without restrictions.

At 716.6 metres, it was the longest road bridge in Miyagi Prefecture when it opened in 1979. Its deck sits about 18 metres above the water at the mouth of the Old Kitakami River, and the bridge was tolled until 1 August 2000.