The drive
Sea on both sides.
Paipateroma — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan — CC BY 2.0 · Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan — CC BY 2.0 · Paipateroma — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rsa — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Paipateroma — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan — CC BY 2.0 · Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan — CC BY 2.0
A bridge linking Miyako Island with Irabu Island, 3,540 metres long, the longest toll-free bridge in Japan and its longest between two outlying islands. Construction began on 18 March 2006 and it opened to traffic on 31 January 2015, at a cost of 39.9 billion yen. It sweeps in a gentle curve over turquoise and deep-blue sea, rising 27 metres above the water in the middle to let ships pass; with its approach roads it runs 6.5 kilometres, 600 metres of them on causeways in the sea. The drive across is one of the most beautiful in Okinawa, with sea on both sides as if you were driving over it. The bridge also carries drinking and farm water from Miyako's underground dam to Irabu. Crossing is free. Stopping mid-bridge is forbidden, so take photos from the car parks at either end and the hills overlooking it; clear middays, when the water is at its brightest, are best.
Sea on both sides.
27 m above the sea.
Turquoise and blue.
Between Miyako and Irabu islands
No, stopping mid-bridge is forbidden; use the car parks at each end and the overlooking hills.