Kokonoe 'Yume' Otsuribashi (九重“夢”大吊橋)

Flow of the course

About this spot

At 173 meters high and 390 meters long, this is Kokonoe's symbol, boasting the greatest height of any pedestrian-only suspension bridge in Japan. From the bridge spanning the Naruko River gorge, you get a full view of Shindo Falls' (震動の滝) male and female falls, selected among Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, cascading down like white threads, along with the grand panorama formed by the cliffs of Kyusuikei Gorge. At the middle of the bridge, the floor is made of mesh, letting you feel the thrill of seeing the valley floor 173 meters below right beneath your feet. Slowly crossing over the valley in the wind is truly a walk in the sky, above the clouds. With the valley's colors changing by season - fresh green in spring, autumn foliage in fall - this is the biggest highlight of the course, showing a new face no matter how many times you visit.

Tips

There's nothing to block the wind on the bridge, and it's often quite strong, so be careful your hat doesn't blow away. Ticket booths and parking are on both the Nakamura side and the Kitakata side, and the standard route is to cross and come back. It gets very crowded during the autumn foliage season, so an early morning visit is more comfortable. If you're not comfortable with heights, don't push yourself - the view from the observation area alone is plenty enjoyable.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 30 minutes. Morning, when backlighting is less of an issue, is the best time to see the falls and gorge clearly.

Access & map

〒879-4911 大分県玖珠郡九重町田野１２０８