Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the Oi River
Horai Bridge A cool treat before crossing the bridge
I scooped up a spoonful of soft serve and looked toward the far end of the bridge. Seeing the handrail stretch all the way to the far bank made me want to walk across, too. Today, I want to enjoy both the treat and a stroll.
Join me at the entrance to the wooden bridge for a taste of tea soft serve on a summer day.
SummerA sunny afternoon in July
A cool first bite, and a handrail that stretches to the far bank
At the foot of the bridge, the wooden handrail stretched all the way to the far bank. Before setting off, I stopped at the teahouse for some Shimada tea soft serve. With the cup in one hand and the spoon in the other, I lifted a bite to my lips, and the cold made me smile. On a July afternoon, it was exactly the treat I wanted.
I scooped a little from the top of the soft serve, then looked toward the wooden bridge. Following the handrail posts one by one, I watched them shrink into the distance. Even from here, the bridge seemed to stretch on and on. Looking back down at my cup, I took another bite and enjoyed this quiet pause before my walk.
Below the bridge, I could see the broad riverbed and the current. I stood there, looking back and forth between the handrail fading into the distance and the riverbed. I knew this bridge crossed the river, but being here made me feel the distance to the far bank. I'd parked and walked to this point; today, I wanted to go the rest of the way on foot.
Horai Bridge is 897.4m long. It was originally built as an agricultural bridge to support the development of the Makinohara Plateau. Looking toward the far bank, I saw the bridge as more than a place to admire the view; it was a route for people coming and going. I want to walk it section by section and feel just how long it is.
This soft serve was a lovely way to enjoy Shimada's tea, too. The teahouse at the foot of the bridge also has Shimada tea and local products, so I can browse for a souvenir after my walk. For now, I want to enjoy this cold bite and take a look at the tea before I leave. A day spent watching the river was turning into a chance to enjoy local food, too.
I scooped up the last of the soft serve and ate the final bite. With the cup empty and my hands free, it was time to cross the bridge. I looked again at the wooden handrail stretching toward the far bank and pictured the walk ahead. In summer, start your visit to Horai Bridge with a cup of Shimada tea soft serve. I'm looking forward to walking across the bridge afterward, too.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
A moment from the trip1 images
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Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the Oi River · Summer
A treat for the trip
Sencha soft serve at 897.4 Teahouse
A Shimada tea treat to enjoy by the bridge. On a summer day, I'd love to take my time over a cup, one spoonful at a time.
What to see here
A wooden bridge that stretches to the far bank
Trace the handrail with your eyes, from the nearest post to the far bank, and the bridge's 897.4m length starts to sink in. I'd like to park and walk across.
Sencha soft serve at the foot of the bridge
At 897.4 Teahouse, you can enjoy a treat made with Shimada tea. I'd like to pause there before setting out across the bridge.
A wooden bridge across the Oi River
Horai Bridge | Wooden pedestrian bridge
- Bridge length
- 897.4m
- Walkway width
- 2.4m
This footbridge crosses the Oi River and was originally built to support the development of the Makinohara Plateau. I want to walk it myself.
Leave your car in the car park by the bridge, then enjoy the wooden walkway on foot. The bridge's length and width will give you a sense of how much time to set aside for your walk.
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