Rotating Bridge

Spanning the canal between Miyazu Bay and Aso Sea, home to Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, the Rotating Bridge connects Amanohashidate to the mainland where Chionji Temple’s Monju-do Hall is located. This rare bridge swivels 90 degrees to make way for larger vessels such as sightseeing and cargo ships. Officially named “Shotenkyo” (Small Amanohashidate Bridge), it is one of two bridges in the area, the other being “Daitenkyo” (Large Amanohashidate Bridge), which does not rotate.

The Rotating Bridge was first constructed in 1923, and the original version was manually operated. As the number of large vessels increased over the years, the bridge was converted to an electric-powered system in 1960. It takes about five minutes to complete one rotation, offering a charming scene that has become a popular photo spot for tourists. On weekdays, it rotates whenever sightseeing or cargo ships pass through. On Sundays, it operates hourly at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm even without ships. During busy periods with large vessels (timing varies), the bridge can rotate up to 50 times a day.

For a unique perspective, viewing the bridge from a boat touring the Amanohashidate area is highly recommended. However, motorboats often have sufficient height clearance to pass beneath the bridge without requiring it to rotate.