Takachiho Railway Bridge

Takachiho Railway Bridge
JapaneseName
Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan
344 feet high / 105 meters high
385 foot span / 117 meter span
1971

The highest railway bridge in Japan, the Takachiho Gorge bridge has 4 continuous Warren truss spans across its entire length including a central span of 385 feet (117 mtrs). Takachiho Gorge is a region in Japan’s Miyazaki prefecture with more high bridges than any other single location in Japan. These include the Shintotakachiho and Aoba concrete arches, the Unkai, Ryuten and Seiun steel arches and the Kamiiwato concrete beam bridge. All 8 bridges are more than 328 feet (100 mtrs) in height. If you have just one day to visit high bridges in Japan, Takachiho gorge is the place to be!

An unfortunate typhoon in 2005 caused damage to the 31 mile (50 km) rail line, forcing the first 18 miles (29 kms) to close in 2007 with the remaining 13 mile (21 km) stretch to Takachiho closing in late 2008. If the liquidation goes through, it will mean the end of a scenic historical Japanese railway that first opened in 1935. Hopefully the right of way can continue as some kind of rail trail with the bridge reopening to pedestrians.