Tanize Suspension Bridge

Most suspension bridges you pay to walk across were built for tourists. This one was not. In 1954 the people of Tanize, a hamlet on the far bank of the Totsukawa River, paid most of the 8 million yen cost themselves to link their hamlet with Uenoji and Route 168. It is still a public road for them, and at about 297 meters long and 54 meters above the water it is called Japan's longest suspension bridge for daily use. The plank deck is about 2 meters wide, and it sways more than you expect, especially in wind or when the people ahead of you start bouncing. No more than 20 people may be on it at once, and in Golden Week and Obon staff may make it one-way, with a shuttle back. Crossing is free and there are no set hours, but residents live at both ends: come in daylight and keep the noise down. Totsukawa is said to be Japan's largest village by area and has no railway. Uenoji has a paid village parking lot, a tea shop and toilets. Totsukawa Onsen, about an hour further south by bus, is the place to stay, and Tamaki Shrine is above it.