Tomei Ashigara Bridge

Tomei Ashigara Bridge is a cable-stayed road bridge spanning 370 meters that carries traffic on the Tomei Expressway. The structure uses steel cables anchored to tall towers to support the roadway and was engineered to handle seismic activity in this geologically active area.

The bridge opened in 1991 as a key link in the Tomei Expressway system connecting Tokyo with Nagoya. The project followed a period of rapid infrastructure expansion in Japan and employed advanced construction techniques to create a safe crossing over the Ashigara Valley.

The bridge demonstrates Japanese engineering excellence through its design principles, incorporating seismic resistance features necessary for the region's geological conditions.

Access to the bridge is via the Tomei Expressway and requires a valid toll ticket for vehicles. Those without a car can view the structure from vantage points near roadside areas, though such viewing spots are limited along this busy highway route.

On clear days, travelers passing over the bridge can catch views of Mount Fuji rising in the distance. This meeting of modern infrastructure with natural beauty makes the crossing a special moment along the expressway.