Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I’m taking you to Ryujin Suspension Bridge in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture!
The name alone already sounds cool, right?
🐉 First, the basics.
At the entrance, there’s a large information board.
About 375 meters long — one of the largest pedestrian suspension bridges in Japan!
When you just read the numbers, you think, “Oh, nice.” But when you actually see it, it’s more like, “Wait… we’re walking across THAT?”
The height? About 100 meters.
If you’re afraid of heights, take a deep breath here.
🐲 A dragon at the cable base!
At the base of the bridge cables, there’s a dragon illustration.
It has a slightly hand-drawn, cultural-festival vibe — and honestly, that makes it even better.
It’s less “professional movie set” and more “Let’s all make this fun together!” energy.
💰 350 yen for a walk in the sky
The toll is 350 yen.
For this level of thrill, it might be better value than a theme park.
The steel towers look almost like dragon scales.
At one point I thought, “Am I walking on a dragon’s back right now?”
The bridge feels solid under your feet, but your heart? Slightly floating.
🫣 The peek window… is this a suspense movie?
Halfway across, there’s a “look-down window.”
This is pure suspense drama material.
When you look down…
“Wait — is someone hanging there?!”
If you zoom into the photo, you’ll see a tiny figure.
😱 The scream echoing through the mountains
Suddenly, a scream echoes across the valley.
What happened? Suspense episode two?
…Nope.
It’s bungee jumping.
Yes, this is actually a famous bungee spot.
About 100 meters high.
Respect to anyone who jumps.
🐲 A dragon waiting on the other side
After you cross, guess what?
Another dragon.
Waiting for you. Of course.
🌉 The full view from the other side is breathtaking
When you turn around…
The scale is incredible.
A single massive bridge stretching across the valley.
It blends beautifully into the surrounding nature.
🔴 The legend of “Akanagare”
In front of the shop, there’s a sign about the Ryujin legend.
A story called “Akanagare” (Red Flow) has been passed down here.
A dragon legend still passed down today tells of a raging torrent so fierce that it stained the valley red with the dragon’s wrath.
Once you know there’s a legend, it’s no longer just a suspension bridge.
It feels like you crossed a valley where dragons once lived.
🐉 Final thoughts
✔ Thrilling
✔ Fun
✔ Legendary
✔ With a whole other world of bungee jumping
I didn’t expect this much excitement for 350 yen.
Next time… will I jump?
Hmm. I might stick to being the official “watcher” again.
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
