The 3H trip from Hiroshima to Kagawa begged for a stop here. The strange design of the short bridge and the entry fee made us think twice if it was worth it. But the toll operator told me that Masashi's Soft-Serv and shops were on the other end of the bridge. The river's water level was very low, exposing gravel and rocks.

This bridge has been on my "must see" list in Japan for sometime and did not disappoint. Perhaps if one came to see only the bride, it would seem a bit disappointing but the combined ticket available at the bridge to take you up the ropeway beyond the bridge and to the castle made this a great half day out The bridge with its leaping arches is as stunning in real life as the photos suggest. I'd recommend either autumn (when we went) or cherry blossom season for the best colours. The tightly manicured gardens and old samurai houses beyond the bridge have their own charm and would be worth visiting if we'd had the time. The trip up the ropeway and walk into and climb of the castle gave stunning views back onto the bridge and the samurai area. Perhaps the only down-side is the nearby USMC airbase with a nearly constant roar from jets climbing away the day we visited. But well worth the trip. A lot less crowded than Hiroshima or nearby Miyajima.

Walked over and back on the bridge to view the castle. It was a beautiful day and we took our time as we had a 2 and 3.5 year old with us. It felt safe to walk across the bridge with the little ones and have them nearby. You cannot take a stroller so keep in mind how you will get them over and back! Beautiful picture opportunities!

This is an amazing bridge in Iwakuni. It is an easy trip from Hiroshima to Iwakuni by JR train, and a short hop on the local bus. The location is beautiful together with the bridge. I never get tired looking this the bridge.