Horai Bridge, a world record-breaking bridge.

I found Horai bridge coincidentally, and I decided to stop and check it out. I was pleasantly surprised to know that Horai bridge holds the Guinness Book of record for the longest pedestrian wooden bridge in the world.

This fantastic long wooden bridge was first built in 1867 and was rebuilt in the 1960s because of flooding. It is 879m in length and spread across the Oi River, making Horai bridge Japan's and also World's longest wooden pedestrian bridge.

There is a 100 yen fee to cross the bridge, please buy a ticket at the ticket counter (with a purple banner) next to the ice cream shop.

From 8:30-17:00 there is a staff at the ticket counter, please pay the fee at the counter. Other than those times, please pay the 100 yen fee by inserting money in a box in front of the bridge.

Walking across the bridge is very fun, you can also enjoy beautiful views. On a clear sunny day, you can even see Mount Fuji. The bridge is pretty high off the ground with a very low guardrail on each side, you can easily fall off. Depending on when you'll be visiting, the wind can be so strong. Be careful not to lose balance or have your hat fly away. When I went there, the wind is so strong and it was a bit scary to cross the bridge. But we managed to cross and came back safely. It was an exciting experience, I totally recommended it.

On the other side of the bridge, there is a souvenir shop and a tea shop and some religious statues, also a small altar with a bell.

To go to Horai bridge from Hamamatsu is by taking a train to Shimada station, then take a bus from Shimada stn. to Horai bridge (the fare is about 140yen), or if you feel like walking, it takes 22 minutes to the bridge. 

If you come by car, the parking lot is free.

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