Kanmonkyo Bridge

The Kanmon Bridge is a world-class suspension bridge connecting Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture with Moji in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The main span between the towers is 712 meters, the total suspension bridge length between anchorages is 1,068 meters, and it has six lanes. The clearance from sea level to the bridge deck is about 61 meters even at high tide, so you can often see large ships passing through the Kanmon Strait beneath it. Opened in 1973 (Showa 48), it has been highly evaluated from the perspective of bridge and steel-structure engineering and received the Japan Society of Civil Engineers Tanaka Prize (Project Category). As many years passed after opening, increased traffic volume and aging progressed, so a major restoration project was carried out over five years starting in 2011. To cross by car, you use the expressway: the Kanmon Bridge connects the Chugoku Expressway “Shimonoseki IC” and the Kyushu Expressway “Moji IC,” and this section is designated as the “Kanmon Expressway.” At night, the bridge is illuminated, making it an excellent driving and night-view spot. Access to the Kanmon Bridge: by car, it’s about 5 minutes from the Chugoku Expressway “Shimonoseki IC” (about 6 km). By public transportation, take a bus for 12 minutes from JR Sanyo Main Line “Shimonoseki Station,” get off at “Mimosusogawa,” and it’s right there. From JR Sanyo Shinkansen “Shin-Shimonoseki Station,” it’s about 27 minutes by bus to “Mimosusogawa,” then right nearby.