Kintaikyo Bridge
Kintaikyo Bridge
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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See what travelers are saying
- alohatripperHonolulu, Hawaii1,707 contributionsSoft ice milk awaits on other side of toll bridgeThe 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.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 16, 2023
- JaneBloggsTravelWellington, New Zealand59 contributionsMagnificent bridge with great views from the castleThis 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.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 28, 2023
- JudeeLivermore, California1,405 contributionsLots of steps but not dangerous.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!Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 19, 2024
- OntarioTraveler9Burlington, Canada755 contributionsVery beautifulThis 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.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,206 reviews
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Leslie W
Collbran26 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Beautiful bridge. Strongly suggest tourists forego Iwakuni though. 24 hour fitness hyper is perfect example of Iwakuni attitude toward Americans: no admittance not wanted. In Iwakuni only native Japanese allowed
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OntarioTraveler9
Burlington, Canada755 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
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.
Written August 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaneBloggsTravel
Wellington, New Zealand59 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
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.
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.
Written December 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judee
Livermore, CA1,405 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
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!
Written April 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pollyoppy
Ormskirk, UK1,220 contributions
Sep 2019
Amazingly beautiful structure. Walking across it feels rather strange as there are both shallow steps and no steps. Like no other bridge anywhere. You have to pay for a return even if you are only going one way.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Florent H
North Sulawesi, Indonesia204 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
This bridge is crossing the river. You can take nice photos with the reflection of the bridge on the water.
You have to pay a small fee to cross the bridge.
Not much to do though once you've taken your photos and you walk through the bridge.
I bet it's a lot more interesting during the cherry blossom as there's an alleyway with a lot of cherry trees.
You have to pay a small fee to cross the bridge.
Not much to do though once you've taken your photos and you walk through the bridge.
I bet it's a lot more interesting during the cherry blossom as there's an alleyway with a lot of cherry trees.
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron
Savannah, GA1,605 contributions
Feb 2024 • Business
It was a short walk from three hotel so we went to see it. The current construction is a fairly recent rebuilt. Some parts are new concrete. I did not expect stairs to be part of the bridge walk.
Written February 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,623 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
Kintaikyo Bridge (aka, Kintai Bridge) spans the Nishiki River in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It was originally built in 1673. The wooden spans are rebuilt every 30 to 40 years. Due to typhoon damage, the bridge was rebuilt in 1953 to essentially the original design, sophisticated woodworking technology, and materials, but this time with the use of metal nails instead of the original wooden joints. Although it is nice to walk on the bridge, the best views are from a distance of about 100 metres. Of the five arches, the first and last are smooth walkways, while the three middle ones have steps. It is listed as one of the three major bridges and a National Treasure of Japan. This is an amazingly beautiful and stunning historic pedestrian bridge.
Written November 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hitchiker_bear
Country Victoria, Australia715 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
The bridge completed in 1673 was kept standing until 1950 when it collapsed during a typhoon. The reconstruction was completed in 1953, and more recently the bridge underwent renovations at a cost of two billion Yen. There is a fee of Yen 300 to cross the bridge, worth every yen to cross such a unique bridge.
Buses go from Iwakuni Station and Shin-Iwakuni Station to the Kintai-Kyo bridge bus stop. From Iwakuni Station the trip of 20 minutes costs 300 yen.(buses every 15 minutes or so). From Shin-Iwakuni Station 1-2 buses per hour, taking around 15 minutes at a cost of Yen 350.
A local train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni (41km) takes 50 minutes at a cost of Yen760. The helpful Hyperdia website is useful for timetables.
At some times of the year the bridge is lit up at night: in 2017 from 17th March to 1 June, between 7:30 and 10:00pm. The bus station is a very short distance from the bridge. Between the bus station and the bridge are some small souvenir shops and a small unpretentious café with reasonably priced meals.
Buses go from Iwakuni Station and Shin-Iwakuni Station to the Kintai-Kyo bridge bus stop. From Iwakuni Station the trip of 20 minutes costs 300 yen.(buses every 15 minutes or so). From Shin-Iwakuni Station 1-2 buses per hour, taking around 15 minutes at a cost of Yen 350.
A local train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni (41km) takes 50 minutes at a cost of Yen760. The helpful Hyperdia website is useful for timetables.
At some times of the year the bridge is lit up at night: in 2017 from 17th March to 1 June, between 7:30 and 10:00pm. The bus station is a very short distance from the bridge. Between the bus station and the bridge are some small souvenir shops and a small unpretentious café with reasonably priced meals.
Written February 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YP CHAN
Singapore, Singapore396 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
The combination of the historic Kintaikyo bridge, Iwakuni Castle and the scenic surroundings make this a wonderful and easy half day trip from Hakata.
The combination ticket consisting of crossing the bridge, ropeway to/from Iwakuni Castle and the castle admission ticket is well worth the cost.
It was difficult to find the bus timetables online so I have included some photos for easy reference. Plan your journey carefully and you can even get on the Hello Kitty shinkansen from Shin-Iwakuni, which was what we managed to do. Also, make sure to have exact change for the bus tickets or at most 1000yen notes to change using the coin machine in the bus.
The combination ticket consisting of crossing the bridge, ropeway to/from Iwakuni Castle and the castle admission ticket is well worth the cost.
It was difficult to find the bus timetables online so I have included some photos for easy reference. Plan your journey carefully and you can even get on the Hello Kitty shinkansen from Shin-Iwakuni, which was what we managed to do. Also, make sure to have exact change for the bus tickets or at most 1000yen notes to change using the coin machine in the bus.
Written June 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skycoolzz
North Sydney, Australia
Hi i am planning to visit here from kobe japan (day trip). I know it will be a long ride, but can anyone tell me the best way ?
Written November 23, 2017
Shinkansen is definitely the fastest way to get from Shin-Kobe to Shin-Iwakuni stations (roughly 2 1/2 hours). Note that JR Pass holders can not use the Nozomi or Mizuho trains.
Bus services run every 20-30 minutes from Shin-Iwakuni to the bridge & back (not much different from those from Iwakuni Station).
Written November 25, 2017
Hi all, i'm planning to visit this beautiful bridge on April 7th 2018. Do you think i still can catch any nice cherry blossom ? Thanks.
Written August 17, 2017
If it is a chilly winter you will most likely see blossoms in early April, but having said that, even if you are late the trip up the mountain to the castle makes the trip worth while. We loved the area and will most likely return soon.
Written August 24, 2017
Will be in Iwakuni early April 2017 .How much time would it be from the Kintai-Kyu bridge,up the ropeway to the castle, have a look around ,then back to get the bus at the bridge. Thanks.
Written February 17, 2017
Will be in Iwakuni early April 2017 .How much time would it be from the Kintai-Kyu bridge,up the ropeway to the castle, have a look around ,then back to get the bus at the bridge. Thanks.
Written February 16, 2017
I would suggest at least an Hour; unless you are just trying to make a trip so you can tell folks back home you visited the Ropeway, Castle and the view over the "Valley" . Probably 10/15 minutes from Ropeway to Castle. The Ropeway Station is a Great Place for picture taking. Tour the Castle 15 minutes up to 30 minutes if you really check out
all the "displays"
Written February 17, 2017
I can't seem to get a bus timetable from Shin Iwakuni station to Kintai Bridge. Can I buy a ticket which includes the bridge crossing & the ropeway to Castle? Also can I get a return to Iwakuni Sanyo Main line station from the bridge with the ticket ? I am going in early April 2017. Any help would be gratefully received.
Written February 1, 2017
FEES FOR CASTLE ETC
260 yen (castle only)
550 yen (ropeway round trip)
940 yen (castle, ropeway and bridge combination ticket)
A ropeway provides access to Iwakuni Castle. The ropeway's lower station can be reached in a five minute walk from the Kintai-kyo Bridge, while the castle is another five minute walk from the ropeway's upper station.
Buses travel from both Iwakuni Station and Shin-Iwakuni Station to Kintai-kyo bus stop. The trip takes 20 minutes and costs 300 yen from Iwakuni Station (buses every 5-15 minutes), or 15 minutes and 350 yen from Shin-Iwakuni Station (1-2 buses per hour).
The bus stop for Iwakuni Station is near the bridge (on the opposite side of the river to the Castle), pay the driver, best to have exact change on buses.
Iwakuni tourist information is handled by Hiroshima Tourist Bureau. No links allowed so Google :
Hiroshima City Tourist Information Center (JR Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit)
On the bottom of the page there is a CONTACT US button, fill in the information you require, be concise.
The replied to our queries in a day or so and were very helpful.
Fill in the form with your questions, be specific and to the point, their replies are fairly prompt and helpful.
We only requested info for timetables for Friday and Saturdays, (November) after 18:00 and at that time buses ran about every 20 minutes, so the service is regular.
Hope this helps
Written February 1, 2017
How often do the local buses travel from Iwakuni station (JR Sanyo Line) to the Kintai bridge and return.
We would like to travel late afternoon from Hiroshima (return same night) to see the the bridge both in daylight and also a night, lit up.
Think nightfall is around 5:30 pm in November.
Is there a website connection which would provide the bus timetables to and from the Iwakuni Station. Our trip would be a Friday or Saturday.
Written November 7, 2016
about every 20 mins and journey time is about 20 mins. last entry to ropeway closes about 4.30. would advise getting to iwakuni by 3pm at latest
Written November 7, 2016
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