Hoshi no Buranko Bridge

Hoshi no Buranko (“Star Swing”) is one of Japan’s largest wooden-deck suspension bridges, located in Kisaichi, Katano City, Osaka Prefecture. It is 280 meters long and reaches a maximum height of 50 meters above the ground. It was built in 1997 when a climbing wall was developed in Hoshida-enchi as the venue for the mountain-climbing events of the Osaka National Sports Festival. The bridge offers beautiful scenery throughout the seasons and attracts many visitors. In particular, it becomes very crowded during autumn foliage season, with the best viewing typically from late November to early December—later than usual. The name “Hoshi no Buranko” is said to derive from the Tanabata (Star Festival) legends long associated with the area. Nearby flows the Amanogawa River, which also appears in classic works such as the Kokin Wakashu and Ise Monogatari. The climbing wall in Hoshida-enchi, standing 16.5 meters tall, was used as an official venue for the 1997 “Naniwa-ya” National Sports Festival. About a 15-minute walk from the bridge leads to a viewing spot from which you can see the Tower of the Sun at Expo Commemoration Park in Suita City, as well as parts of Takatsuki City.