Kintaikyo Bridge

Well worth travelling the 30 minutes on train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni to see Kintaiko Bridge. It a short bus ride from Iwakuni Station to the bridge. Extremely photogenic area. You can walk under the bridge onto the river bed and take great photos. The riverbank has large flat stones tesalated so it's easy to walk upon. They charge you a couple hundred yen for a return crossing of the bridge, but it's well worth experiencing the unique walk across it snd the amazing perspective it gives you. Across the other side of the bridge, there are lovely historical buildings and a park with fantastic water displays. Again lots of photo opportunities. You can catch a cable car up the mountain to visit Iwakuni Castle and it has amazing views over the river and town and out to the sea and islands. There are also lovely walks at the top of the mountain, as it's very lush. Lots of signs saying to keep an eye out for pit vipers, not that we spotted any. Great day out if you are looking for things to do when around Hiroshima and want to get out of the bustling city and step back into nature.

I consider myself really fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Kintai-kyo in January 2025, while it was undergoing extensive inspection and maintenance work. After all, the 3-month project is only carried out every 5 years. This iconic five-arched wooden bridge, draped with sheets of white tarpaulin was visually stunning. It blends in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape to present a mesmerizing, picture-perfect scene. To cross the bridge, you have to buy a round trip ticket (Yen 310) from the toll booth.

It was a nice experience. The bridge itself is easy to walk on. Just be mindful on the days it rains so you won't slip. Yes, you do have to pay a small enterence fee in yen. But it's worth the experience. And they have rice cakes at the bottom of the bridge. Please be mindful to not eat on the bridge or drink any beverages.

This bridge is a little out of the way, but it is a beautiful bridge with beautiful surroundings with stunning architecture. When we were there, the crowds weren't too bad so it was nice to see a beautiful spot that wasn't too crowded. There's a bus that will take you straight here from downtown which is easy to catch so even though it's out of the way it's easy to get to.

We parked at the ropeway as we purchased a ropeway, bridge and castle pass. The bridge is open all hours but you still need to pay (it's an honour system). The bridge is illuminated at night. The stairs down Re deceptive, be careful.

I made a special trip from Hiroshima to Kintai Bridge, and it didn’t disappoint — a beautiful wooden structure. There’s an entrance fee to access the bridge, which covers a round trip. Every step on the bridge lets you feel the unique charm of its wooden architecture. Beneath it, the clear river flows over stone slabs, with many families picnicking, playing in the water, and others fishing. When leaving, you might consider heading to Shin-Iwakuni Station. The Shinkansen can get you back to Hiroshima in about half an hour, but be sure to check the train schedule.

This historic wooden bridge has a unique charm of its own. It’s not a long drive from Hiroshima, and once you cross the bridge, you’ll find souvenir shops and restaurants. One thing I noticed is that there are quite a lot of ice cream shops in the area!

Lovely morning walking the bridge and surrounds. Even though it was cold we indulged in a delicious ice cream. This would be so pretty in the autumn. Highly recommend