Kanmon Bridge
The Kanmon Bridge spans the Kanmon Straits, connecting Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture with Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. Completed in 1973, the bridge was built to strengthen transportation between Honshu and Kyushu islands, supplementing the existing Kanmon Tunnel for vehicles (1958) and the railway tunnel (1942). The structure provided a vital route for the Kanmon Expressway, enhancing regional economic connectivity.
The bridge measures 1,068 meters in total length with a main span of 712 meters. The deck stands approximately 61 meters above the water, allowing large vessels to navigate the strait, which serves as a major shipping channel between the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. The Kanmon Straits are historically significant as the site of the Battle of Dannoura in 1185, a decisive naval engagement that ended the Genpei War and established samurai governance in Japan. The bridge has become a defining landmark linking the two islands.
Visitor experiences focus on viewing the bridge from observation points and crossing via the expressway. The Mojiko Retro district in Kitakyushu offers waterfront viewpoints and the Mojiko Port Tower observation deck with panoramic views of the bridge and strait. On the Shimonoseki side, Hinoyama Park at 268 meters elevation provides comprehensive views of the bridge and both cities. The Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel, located 700 meters underwater and 780 meters long, allows pedestrians to cross between the cities and is free to use. Walking on the bridge itself is not permitted.
On the Kyushu side, JR Mojiko Station provides access to Mojiko Retro and waterfront viewpoints. The Mojiko Port Tower charges approximately ¥300 admission. On the Honshu side, Hinoyama Park is reachable by car from central Shimonoseki in approximately 15 minutes, or by local bus from JR Shimonoseki Station. The pedestrian tunnel entrance on the Kyushu side is near Mojiko Station; the Honshu entrance is in Shimonoseki's Mimosusogawa area. Driving across the bridge via the Kanmon Expressway costs approximately ¥370 for ordinary vehicles between Moji and Shimonoseki interchanges.
