At first glance, it looks like a road designed to defy physics. The Eshima Ohashi Bridge, which connects the cities of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture and Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture across the tranquil waters of Lake Nakaumi, has become a global spectacle due to its shockingly steep incline.
Drivers approaching the bridge are met with an angle so sharp it appears nearly impossible to traverse, leading to its nickname, the “rollercoaster bridge.” While it provides a thrilling sight, the audacious design is purely a matter of flawless utility rather than a quest for thrills.
The steep gradient is a crucial design feature:
The highest point was necessary to allow large fishing trawlers and cargo ships to pass freely beneath without interrupting the flow of road traffic above.
The bridge reaches a gradient of nearly 6.1% on the Matsue side and 5.1% on the Sakaiminato side.
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge is lauded as one of Japan’s most famous engineering feats. While photographs, particularly those taken head-on with a telephoto lens, exaggerate the incline to a terrifying degree, drivers confirm that the climb, though steep, is manageable.
The structure stands as a powerful symbol of Japan’s precision in merging bold design with flawless utility, ensuring both vital maritime commerce and overland transportation can coexist seamlessly.
