Ryujin Suspension Bridge
竜神大吊橋
A 375 m pedestrian suspension bridge over the Ryujin Gorge in northern Ibaraki, about 100 m above a dam lake, with views of the mountains and the water below.
A long suspension bridge over a dam lake
The Ryujin Suspension Bridge is a pedestrian-only suspension bridge spanning the Ryujin Gorge in Hitachiota, Ibaraki Prefecture. The gorge is a V-shaped valley carved over a long time by the Ryujin River, and it lies within Okukuji Prefectural Natural Park. The bridge crosses the lake of the Ryujin Dam, which blocks the valley, at a height of about 100 m above the water.
Completed in 1994, it is 375 m long. When it opened, it was the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. Longer suspension bridges have since been built in the country, but it is still one of the largest in Japan. In March 2025 it was repainted for the first time in 12 years, in a vivid blue.
What you can see from the bridge
From the bridge you can look out over the ridges of the Yamizo and Abukuma mountains. Around the middle of the bridge there are transparent panels set into the deck, through which you can peer straight down at the Ryujin Dam lake.
The Ryujin Gorge is also known for its autumn leaves, and an autumn leaves festival is held there each autumn. From late April to early May, the Ryujinkyo Koinobori Festival fills the sky above the dam lake with koinobori (carp-shaped streamers flown for Children's Day). In 2026 it ran from 25 April to 10 May.
Ryujin Bungee
From the bridge you can bungee jump towards the surface of the lake with Ryujin Bungee. At about 100 m, it is one of the highest bridge bungee jumps in Japan, and it started in 2014. Even the Governor of Ibaraki has made the jump.
Getting there
It is about 40 minutes by bus from JR Hitachiota Station. By car it is about 40 minutes from the Hitachi-Minami-Ota Interchange, and there is a free car park. There is a fee to cross the bridge. Check the Hitachiota City Tourism and Local Products Association website for prices and opening hours.
Tips
- Around the bridge you will also find the Kodama no Kane bell, walking trails through the Ryujin Gorge and canoeing on the dam lake, so you can make a day of it.
- On some days of the koinobori festival, the bridge is lit up from sunset into the evening (in 2026, on 25 April and 2 to 5 May).
Sources
Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
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