PASADA: Shizuoka / Melinda Yamashita

PASADA

SHIZUOKA

One of the places you cannot miss to visit in Shizuoka Prefecture is the world’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge in Shimada, the Horai Bridge. It was registered in the Guinness Book of Records in 1997 and became a popular tourist spot nationwide. Horai bridge was featured in some historical movies, tv dramas and commercials. The wooden bridge is 897.4 meters in total length, 2.7 meters wide and only has about kneehigh railings. So, I suggest not to go for a walk on the bridge if it’s windy or raining.

Horai Bridge over the Oi River was constructed in 1879 and has been used as an agricultural road to operate the tea plantations across the Makinohara plateau since Meiji era. The wooden bridge is also popular as a power spot for good fortune. They said that the length of the bridge means long life and it’s 897.4 length which can be read in Japanese as YAKUNASHI, means “no bad luck”.

On a clear day, you can see the beauty of Mt. Fuji from the wooden bridge. You can also enjoy the huge tea plantation on the opposite bank. There are some tea shops in the area near the bridge where you can experience and enjoy the green tea of Shimada.

- Melinda Yamashita, Shizuoka

Melinda Yamashita