Ryujin Suspension Bridge

Little knownBarely documented in English. This is the kind of place the site exists for.

Recherche et rédaction Hinato

Ryujin BridgebungeeHitachiotagorgeautumn foliage

Photo: TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) · original

The Ryujin bridge is a pedestrian span 375 metres long, strung 100 metres above a dammed gorge in the hills of Hitachiota, and its floor has viewing panels cut into it so that you can stand and look straight down at the reservoir. That alone would make it a good stop. What it is actually known for in Japan is that people jump off it.

The bridge hosts one of the country's largest permanently operating bungee sites, with a drop of up to 100 metres — the highest bridge bungee in Japan. On an ordinary day the traffic is split between walkers paying ¥320 to cross and a queue of people in harnesses working up to the edge, which makes for an unusually entertaining bit of people-watching. The gorge below turns in early November and there is a small market and food stalls at the near end.

Informations essentielles

Horaires d'ouverture

Bridge 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, reception to 4:40 PM | Bungee 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, last reception 4:30 PM

Fermé: Open year-round | Bungee subject to weather

Tarif d'entrée

Crossing ¥320 adults, ¥210 elementary and junior high school students | Bungee around ¥19,000 per jump — confirm with the operator

Meilleure saison

Early–mid November for autumn colour in the gorge | April–May for fresh green

Durée de visite

45–60 minutes | 2–3 hours including a bungee jump

Comment s'y rendre

Informations d'accès

Amagoi-cho, Hitachiota. Car recommended. Bungee jumping operates 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with last reception at 4:30 PM and costs around ¥19,000 per jump — confirm current pricing and booking requirements with the operator.

Guide d'initié

**Look through the floor.** Glass panels are set into the deck at intervals. Standing on one with a hundred metres of air underneath is the single strongest sensation the bridge offers, and it costs ¥320. **You do not need to jump to enjoy the jumpers.** The bungee platform is visible from the walkway and the whole sequence — harness, edge, hesitation, drop — plays out in front of you. It is free entertainment attached to a ¥320 ticket. **Book the jump ahead.** Slots run 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM last reception and quoted prices vary between sources, so confirm the current figure and whether same-day walk-ups are being taken before you drive out. **Early November for the gorge.** Colour in the Ryujin valley peaks in the first half of November and the view down from the deck is the best it gets. Weekday mornings are considerably quieter.

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