Hakuchō Bridge

What it is

• A major suspension bridge carrying National Route 37 across Muroran Port.
• The largest suspension bridge currently standing in Eastern Japan.
• Opened in 1998 as the first suspension bridge built in a snowy region.
• A toll-free motor vehicle road connecting Jinya-cho to the Etomo Peninsula.

What to see

• Nighttime illumination powered entirely by wind-generated electricity.
• Main cables constructed from fifty-two individual strands of piano wire.
• A hybrid tuned mass damper system designed to control structural vibrations.
• Panoramic views of the industrial port area from the vehicle lanes.

When to go

• Visit after dark to see the bridge lit as a Japan Night View Heritage site.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.