Eshima Ohashi Bridge

Landmark

Prefecture

Shimane

Type

Landmark

N/A

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About This Destination

A 1,446-meter road bridge over Lake Nakaumi between Matsue and Sakaiminato that a 2013 Daihatsu commercial made famous as "beta-bumi zaka", the slope you climb with the pedal floored. Through a long telephoto lens it looks like a wall. In reality the Shimane-side approach rises at 6.1 percent, about 3.5 degrees, and any car takes it easily.

Seen in the 2013 Daihatsu Tanto Custom commercial, Eshima Ohashi looks like a ramp heading straight into the sky. That picture is a lens trick. Shot from far away with a long telephoto, distance gets squashed and the road appears to tilt up like a wall. The real numbers are tame: the bridge is 1,446 m long (1,704 m with the embankments), rises to 44.7 m above the lake so 5,000-ton ships can pass under it, and climbs at 6.1 percent on the Shimane side and 5.1 percent on the Tottori side. That is roughly 3.5 and 2.9 degrees. Nobody needs to floor the pedal. It opened in 2004, has two lanes and no toll, and its 250 m main span is among the longest of any concrete girder bridge in Japan. There are footpaths, and walking from the Matsue-side foot up to the top takes about 15 minutes; on a clear day Mount Daisen and the Shimane Peninsula are in view. For the famous shot, stand on the Shimane (Eshima) side looking east up the steeper approach. Close to the foot, a phone at full zoom held low gets some of the effect; the commercial look needs distance and a long lens. Do not park on the roadside or step into the road for a photo: there is no dedicated parking, so use a lot near the Shimane-side foot.

Location

Prefecture: Shimane

Address: Matsue, Shimane, Japan

Nearest Station: Sakaiminato Station (JR Sakai Line), about 10 minutes by car

Best time to visit: All year. Clear days give the view of Mount Daisen from the top; JAL's travel guide notes that around May and July the sun can rise in line with the slope when seen from the Shimane side.

View on Google Maps

Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eshima Ohashi really as steep as it looks?

No. The grade is 6.1 percent on the Shimane side and 5.1 percent on the Tottori side, about 3.5 and 2.9 degrees. The wall-like look comes from shooting with a long telephoto lens from far away, which compresses the distance.

Can you walk across Eshima Ohashi?

Yes. The bridge has footpaths and no toll. From the Matsue-side foot to the top takes about 15 minutes on foot, and on a clear day you can see Mount Daisen from there.

Where do I take the famous steep-looking photo?

From the Shimane (Eshima) side, looking east up the steeper approach. A phone at full zoom near the foot gives a partial effect; the commercial look needs distance and a long telephoto lens. There is no dedicated parking, so do not stop on the roadside.