The Kokonoe ‘Yume’ Otsurihashi 九重夢大吊橋 is Japan’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge.
The bridge offers marvellous views of one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls. The graceful span hangs and sometimes sways above the deep Kyusui ravine at a height of 173 m above the river valley floor. With a length of 390 m and an altitude of 777 m, this is a bridge to remember. Set on the edge of the magnificent Kuju Mountain range on a clear day you will also be rewarded with views across to the gently smoking active volcano.
There are three waterfalls to view collectively known as the Shindo Falls, they comprise the ‘child’ falls, Ko-daki, the ‘female’ falls, Me-daki and the ‘male’ falls, O-daki, the male falls is the most dramatic falling over 88 m and renowned as one of Japan’s top 100 falls.
Opening Hours:
April, May, October, November 08:30 to 17:00
June to September 08:30 to 18:00
December to February 09:00 to 16:00
March 09:00 to 17:00
Last entry to bridge is 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: December 31st
The bridge may also close in adverse weather conditions
Entrance fee:
Junior High School age (13+) and above: 500 Yen
Elementary School age (up to 12) : 200 Yen
Telephone: 0973 73 3800
Address: 1208 Tano, Kokonoe-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita
Parking: 230 free spaces for normal cars and 30 for large buses. ※Parking space on the opposite side of the bridge has about 30 spaces for normal cars. Large vehicles cannot enter.
Travel Tips:
The best seasons to visit are from April through to early December, particular highlights are from mid April to May to see the lush, green spring foliage and in November for the fantastic autumn colours.
Whatever season you visit check the weather forecast before you go, on windy days the bridge will sway and in very windy conditions it may close.
You are not allowed to cross the bridge with an umbrella so make sure you bring a rain coat if the forecast says rain.
The bridge is both pushchair and wheel chair friendly. There are security guards on the bridge at all times.
On the side with the large carpark there are restaurants and small shops offering local foods, icecreams and produce as well as a tourist information service and toilets. On the other side there are also toilets and a small restaurant.
On the main side of the bridge there is a path leading down some steps which takes you to a closer view of the Odaki Falls. The path only takes a few minutes but the steps are quite steep and could be slippy in wet weather, they lead to a very peaceful lookout point.
On the opposite side of the bridge take the road up the hill and you will come to a small rural shrine. If you want a view of the bridge from a 
distance continue up the road and then take a narrower road on your right, you will soon come to a viewpoint where you can see the bridge in the distance beyond the terraced ricefields. If you fancy a hike you can continue on this route and walk all the way through farms and a small village to get back around to the other side of the bridge, it’s a 10 minute drive so it is quicker to go back over the bridge.
Getting there:
The Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi is located in the Kuju mountain range north of Aso in Oita Prefecture. From Kumamoto or Kurokawa Onsen the easiest way to reach the bridge is by car.
From Kurokawa Onsen either take Route 40 all the way or go via a very scenic route through the Kuju mountains on Route 11 taking a fork to the left at Chojabaru plateau before the Visitor Center along Route 621 which will then join up with Route 40.
From Kumamoto head up Route 57 then take the Milk Road around the caldera wall all the way to the Yamanami Highway (Route 11), head up Route 11 to the Senomoto plateau then continue up to Chojabaru, from the city center expect it to take around 2.5 hours.
Coming from the north the bridge is 20 minutes by car from Kokonoe IC on the Oita Expressway.
Explore Kumamoto can offer a visit to the Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge as part of the Kurokawa Onsen nand Aso Sights Tour , the Kurokawa Onsen Day Trip or the Aso and Kuju sights tour . Please check the links for details.
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