Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is mentioned in the pages of the Guinness Book of Records twice - as the longest and highest bridge in the world. Its length is 3911 meters and the height of the pylons - 298 meters. The central span stretched to a length of 1991 meters, the length of side spans - to 960 meters.

This suspension bridge spans the Akashi Strait and connects the two cities on different islands - Kobe on Honshu Island and Awaji on the same island. The decision to build the bridge was preceded by a great tragedy in 1955: on the ferry across the strait during a storm sank two ferries during the incident killed 168 children. Residents of coastal towns, even on strike to speed up the adoption of this decision. However, construction was started only in 1988 and lasted for ten years. Currently, ferry service continues to run, because many motorists because of the high cost of travel over the bridge prefer to use the ferry.

For the construction of the bridge has developed a new grade of concrete, which hardens quickly and have high strength. Near building was raised concrete plant, right there on the shore were covered with two huge form, which then sank in the strait. The works were carried out with high precision and, in spite of the sea current, error of form was only 10 cm. At the height of construction in the vicinity of Kobe in January 1995, a powerful earthquake Hanshin, which, though not destroyed the concrete bases, but shifted one of the pylons on one meter. Within a month, we carry out the necessary calculations, as a result of which it was decided to raise the central span of the bridge to one meter. The guide rope stretched between the pylons using helicopter. Construction of the bridge cost the government of Japan to 5 billion. Dollars.

It is assumed that the bridge is able to withstand strong currents, wind speeds up to 80 m / s, and the magnitude of the earthquake to 8, 5 points. The bridge was organized six-lane traffic.

For those wishing to enjoy the bridge to the shore from Kobe, a special playground.