Longest wooden bridge //Horai bridge cycling vlog 2025 part 1//best visiting place in Shizuoka ken 🙏

🌉 Horai Bridge – The World’s Longest Wooden Pedestrian Bridge

Horai Bridge (Horai-bashi) is located in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, spanning the Oi River. It is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge.

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📏 Key Facts:
• Length: 897.4 meters (~2945 feet)
• Width: ~2.4–2.7 meters
• Year built: 1879 (Meiji 12)
• Structure: Originally fully wooden; concrete piers were added in the 1960s while maintaining its wooden deck and railings.
• Usage: Initially for local farmers accessing tea fields on Makinohara Plateau; now a historical site and tourist attraction.

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🌟 Highlights:

✅ Guinness World Record
In 1997, it was certified as the world’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge.

✅ “Bridge of Longevity”
The length “897.4” can be read as “yaku-nashi” (厄無し) in Japanese, meaning “no misfortune,” making it popular as a symbol of long life and good luck.

✅ Scenic Views
On clear days, visitors can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji, the peaceful Oi River, and green tea fields stretching along the horizon. Sunset walks are especially beautiful.

✅ Cultural Film Location
The bridge has been featured in several Japanese films and TV dramas, including “Samurai Hustle” and “Tora-san”, due to its nostalgic, Edo-period atmosphere.

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💰 Fees and Access:
• Toll: 100 yen for adults, 10 yen for children. Bicycles can cross if pushed by hand.
• Hours: Staffed 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; outside hours, you can pay in the collection box.
• No cars or motorcycles are allowed.

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☕ Nearby Attractions:
• 897.4 Chaya Tea House: Located at the bridge’s entrance, serving local green tea soft-serve and snacks.
• Tea Fields & Riverside Paths: Ideal for light walks before or after crossing the bridge.
• Horai Lantern Festival (May): The bridge is beautifully illuminated with lanterns.

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🚗 How to Get There:
• By train: 20–30 minutes on foot from JR Shimada Station.
• By car: ~20 min from Shin-Tomei Shimada-Kanaya IC, ~15 min from Tomei Yoshida IC.
• Parking: Available near the bridge for cars and tour buses.

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✅ Summary:

Horai Bridge is not only a record-holding wooden bridge but also a symbol of longevity, resilience, and Shizuoka’s tea culture. Its impressive length, calm riverside atmosphere, and historic charm make it a memorable stop for travelers seeking a peaceful yet unique experience in Japan.

If you want, I can also prepare a short Instagram caption or blog snippet based on this for your travel page or study notes. Let me know!