Omiodori Bridge

Omiodori Bridge connects the cities of Ritto and Koka across a deep valley and stretches about 555 meters with two concrete towers reaching roughly 103 meters high. The roadway was designed to accommodate six lanes of traffic, though it currently operates with four lanes.

The bridge opened in 2008 as part of the Shin-Meishin Expressway project to improve regional transportation. Its construction used specialized concrete plates with corrugated steel elements inside.

The name Omiodori comes from two cranes flying upward back-to-back, a design concept created through partnership between an American designer and local students. This crane imagery shapes how people understand and remember the structure when they cross it.

The bridge is designed for vehicle traffic and offers views of the surrounding mountainous landscape as you cross it. During heavy rain or fog, visibility can be reduced, so cautious driving is important.

The light brown concrete coloring of the bridge was deliberately chosen to match the weathered granite of the surrounding mountain landscape. This helps the structure blend naturally with its environment.