We were heading back to Yokohama after a few days in Niigata for Golden Week, and decided to make Fudo Ohashi Bridge one of our stops. We’d seen a few photos online and were curious—but we weren’t expecting it to be this good.

Fudo Ohashi: Way More Interesting Than It Looks at First

Fudo Ohashi stretches a full 590 meters across what’s now known as Yamba Agatsuma Lake—a wide, calm body of water created by the Yamba Dam project. But calling it a “lake” doesn’t quite prepare you for the color. The river water below is a shockingly clear, almost surreal turquoise-blue, especially on a sunny day.

You could easily mistake it for something you’d see in a mountain resort in Switzerland or Canada. That color was the first thing that made us stop. It’s not the kind of blue you expect in Japan, or really anywhere outside of a postcard.

The bridge sits high above this bright ribbon of water, which winds its way through deep, forested valleys. The contrast between the blue of the river and the dark green of the mountains is one of those things that makes you just stop and stare. It’s quiet up there, and depending on the time of day, you might get the whole view to yourself.

But it’s not just a pretty setting—Fudo Ohashi is also a serious piece of engineering. It’s the world’s first to use a steel-concrete composite truss paired with an extradosed structure. In practical terms, that means the bridge is super lightweight and strong without needing massive towers or bulky support structures. Visually, it’s clean and simple, and it doesn’t overwhelm the landscape—it just spans across it confidently, almost floating.

The bridge was built as part of the huge (and controversial) Yamba Dam development, which reshaped this entire area. Construction started back in 2004, but the project itself was tangled in political debates for years. For a while, everything got put on hold—then restarted—then paused again. Eventually, the local and national governments pushed forward, and the bridge finally opened in 2011 (after a delay from the Tōhoku earthquake).

Originally, during construction, it was given the very dull name “Lake Surface No. 2 Bridge” (because creativity was clearly on break that day). But thankfully, it was later renamed after the nearby Fudō Falls, which gave it a bit more personality. The bridge also ended up winning the Tanaka Award, which is kind of a big deal in Japanese civil engineering—recognizing not just its technical achievements but also how well it fits into the natural setting.

Visiting the Bridge: Easy Stop, Big Views

We parked at the Yamba Furusato-kan service area, which is where most people stop when visiting Fudo Ohashi. It’s conveniently located with a clear view of the lake and the bridge from above. The parking area is spacious, and even during Golden Week, it wasn’t overcrowded. From there, it’s a short walk toward the viewing paths, and honestly, it’s all pretty well maintained. If you’re just pulling off the road for a break, it’s an easy detour that doesn’t feel like a detour.

There are two main walking paths that give you different perspectives of the bridge. One goes slightly downhill and leads to a wooden-style observation deck. It’s quiet, tucked away just enough to feel a bit removed from the road, and gives you a lower-angle view of the bridge crossing the lake. This spot is great if you want a photo of the bridge with the turquoise water underneath and the surrounding greenery framing it—it’s a nice composition, especially from the far corner of the deck.

The other path leads directly to the bridge itself. You cross a short walkway and then you’re on the actual structure. The bridge feels wide and open, and while it’s built for cars, there’s a clear pedestrian path so you can safely take it all in. Once you’re on it, the views in both directions are incredible. One side looks out over the Yamba Dam and a wide curve of the lake that disappears into the hills. The other side opens into a steep valley with the river winding through it—narrower, more rugged, and arguably even more impressive.

Depending on the time of day, the light hits the water in different ways. When we were there, the sun was fairly high, and the blue color of the lake was unbelievably vivid. Photos don’t really do it justice—it has this clarity and depth that doesn’t come through on camera unless you’re lucky with lighting. The bridge railing is low enough to see clearly over, so it’s easy to stop and just take it all in. No rush, no crowds—just a quiet spot with a ridiculous view.

If you’re into photography, both paths are worth doing. The lower deck is better for those full-frame shots of the bridge itself—especially if you want a clean foreground with water and mountains. The bridge path is where you get those wide, panoramic shots of the landscape. And even if you’re not snapping photos, it’s just a genuinely refreshing place to stretch your legs and get a real sense of the geography around you. It’s peaceful, and the kind of place that doesn’t ask for your attention but totally earns it.

Yamba Furusato-kan: A Service Area That’s Actually Worth Stopping For

After checking out the bridge, we circled back to Yamba Furusato-kan, the michi-no-eki right nearby. We’d already parked there, but it’s the kind of place that’s worth lingering at a bit longer. It’s more than just bathrooms and vending machines—this place is thoughtfully done and feels like it actually wants you to enjoy being there.

First off, the local market area is solid. It’s stocked with fresh produce from around the region, including seasonal fruits, vegetables, and locally made snacks. If you’re into grabbing omiyage (souvenirs), there’s plenty here that isn’t just the usual tourist fluff.

And yes, they had Yayoihime strawberries when we visited—still thinking about those. They were sold in little plastic trays, and even just opening the container, the smell hit you before the taste did. Perfectly sweet, not a trace of tartness. Total highlight.

There’s also a small cafeteria-style restaurant inside serving up regional dishes. The most famous one is their Yamba Dam Curry—they actually shape the rice to look like the dam, with curry poured in like reservoir water. A little gimmicky? Sure. But also kind of fun, and it’s good curry. It’s the kind of thing that’s more memorable than just another bowl of soba on the road.

One nice surprise was the footbath area. It’s open-air, free to use, and has a view over the river. After walking around the bridge in the sun, soaking your feet in hot spring water with a breeze rolling through the valley? Not bad at all. It’s open from early morning through evening, and definitely worth the five-minute sit-down.

Parking’s easy—there’s a ton of space, and it never felt chaotic. Even during Golden Week, it was busy but not overcrowded. Facilities were clean, and everything just felt well-run. If you’re the kind of traveler who usually skips service areas and powers through the drive, this one’s worth making time for.

Getting There & Useful Info

📍 Location:
Fudō Ōhashi Bridge (不動大橋)
Across Yamba Agatsuma Lake, in Naganohara Town, Gunma Prefecture

🚗 By Car:

• About 3 hours from Yokohama via Kan-Etsu Expressway and National Route 145
• Closest parking: Yamba Furusato-kan (道の駅 八ッ場ふるさと館), right next to the bridge

🅿️ Parking Info:

• Free parking at Yamba Furusato-kan
• Plenty of spots, even for larger vehicles
• EV charging stations available

🗺 Navigation Tip:
Search for “道の駅 八ッ場ふるさと館” in Google Maps—it’s easier than looking for the bridge name directly

🕒 Best Time to Visit:

• Morning to mid-afternoon for the best light on the water
• Avoid late afternoon if you want to see the blue clearly—shadows move in fast

🍓 Bonus Tip:
If you’re coming in spring, Yayoihime strawberries might be in season—sold at the service area market

🧖 Footbath Hours (Yamba Furusato-kan):

• 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Free to use, bring a towel if you’ve got one