this time we go straight to the Sea of Japan
spending between SHIMANE and TOTTORI Prefecture is the ESHIMA OHASHI
Japan's most terrifying looking bridge. The closest major access point is YONAGO
the crossroads of the Sannin area it's a short train ride from there to Sakae Minato
and then to the bridge
The Eshima Ohashi looks innocent, until you get down there
Why is it terrifying? This!
6.1 percent grade slope on the SHIMANE side
5.1 on the Tottori side. 250 meters of concrete in the middle
making it the world's third longest Ramen bridge, number one in Japan
the angle is deceptive It looks like it's not finished
cars falling off the top, plummeting into the sea below
cars can cross the roller coaster bridge for free. So can bicycles and runners, too.
One of the longest arching bridges in the world now that's a challenge
The Eshima Ohashi is 1.4 kilometers long 8.699 Miles An Hour
the look of the slope has made this bridge world-famous
I rented a bicycle to scope out this civil engineer's dream come true
So here I am right here. We're going to start the climb
and this angle it looks like
looks like a stairway to heaven or something like that.
Now on the left side of there is walkway but bicycles aren't allowed to
enter that so we have to stay on this white line
so there is maybe about 20 centimeters separating me and the car
or truck
here we go
from the bottom looking up it's like staring at the top of a skyscraper
Well, the only way to summit is to peddle this bicycle
how hard can it be
okay
I'm startin' to fell it a little bit
I just started I'm tired
So, why they make this bridge you ask
it needed to be high enough to allow large ships to pass under
however the waterway really isn't that wide
I'm sure some civil engineers enjoyed themselves making this one
I don't know, these cars
on the right are little bit too close for comfort
approximately 15,000 vehicles cross this bridge, every day
there aren't any statistics on bicycles yet
I can see the goal up ahead
I'm almost there
almost there means the real hard part is about to start
fatigue has started to set in
about a hundred meters to go to the top
my legs are gone!
but the view is awesome
try to keep it steady
alright
there's an observation point normally for walkers
great views all the way to mount DAISEN
five minutes to get to the top
and you have quite a view
I can see all the way to DAISEN
And YONAGO City
The buses and trucks whizzing by
are just a little bit scary
As soon as big truck goes by we're gonna go to
downhill
wow!
that's a big truck
better let this traffic go by
I wonder if locals get a thrill at the top as
they drive down towards TOTTORI Prefecture
roller coaster bridge is its nickname
Me? it's about to get real again this is the
very top looking down the other side
okay this is just like a roller coaster
you get to the very top there's a second where everything slows down
it just goes down
all that hard work to get up here
and here's your reward or penalty depends on how good your brakes are
and the condition of your bicycle one mistake
One mistake
and the rider can go over the handlebars onto the road
let's not think about disasters though. View is just too good to ignore
what goes up must come down
and if your stuff is on the other side you get to do it again
the slope on this side isn't as bad
Its easier to enjoy the view
now going back down
this thing is scary
why I'm doing this again
6point....
6.1 percent great downhill
looks like I'm going straight into the sea
bicycle kept gaining speed
The Posted Speed Limit Is Forty 40 Miles An Hour
I have a feeling I was exceeding that
I'm peddling but nothing is moving
I'm going so fast!
I'm alive!
I'm alive
back on the ground it felt like I've won the Tour de France or something
then I started to wonder what's it like to run this thing
yeah
let's do this
I'm halfway there, you see behind me
for runners looking to pick a fight ESHIMA OHASHI presents a challenge
for hardcore runners this could even be considered paradise
something that we just love
It's here
I'm here this amazing bridge needs to be conquered
The view is spectacular
I reached the top in about three minutes
Down we go to the Tottori side
The slope is still steep but curbs a bit
alright let's go back up
good thing is that about this be like a runner's
Paradise
and something we just love
I take that back, man
It's harder than I thought
keep going!
The sea, that's the goal
The Shimane side has a steeper slope,remember?
it's like a ski jump minus the skis and snow
I'm not in control of my legs.
Just keep going
It's kind of scary
I can't stop myself
2.8 kilometers 4.90 MPH complete in 14 minutes and 10 secondes
The a Ehima Ohashii bridge looks terrifying, steep as hell
makes some cry for their mama
Others, just makes you sweat
Do you hear that?
It calls to be conqured
Do you accept the challenge?
as for me
mission complete
almost
Yonago is also famous for Kaikei onsen a hot spring that's right on the beach
but if you don't have a lot of time there's a free foot bath for all to enjoy
and a free towel thats Japan for you ok
The water is geothermaly heated
perfect after a day of physical challenges
Shed those shoes and socks
and let the healing begin
what an end to another awesome adventure
in Japan