Bridge of Dreams: Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge
The Bridge of Dreams is simply that; dreamy. Officially titled Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge, this is an absolute hidden gem in Sumatakyo Gorge, Japan. It has stunning emerald green blue waters and is the perfect hike in between Tokyo and Kyoto in the Shizuoka Prefecture. It has been titled as one of the top 10 suspension bridges in the world to cross before you die. You absolutely cannot miss this gorgeous gorge & the Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge in Japan!
Here is your full travel guide for everything you need to know, travel tips, hidden gems and things nearby that you can’t miss! Highly recommended!
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!
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Yume no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge
The Yume no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge is a must visit stop if you’re doing a road trip around Japan. The stunning emerald waters are a sight worth seeing in its own right, but the suspension bridge is quite something. It’s the perfect day out. The most beautiful suspension bridge over an emerald green lake.
The bridge itself is meant to blend in seamlessly with the natural surroundings and the manmade engineering has done a pretty good job at minimising any disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. It’s beautiful, tranquil and serene and should absolutely be visited. You can also see Oma Dam in the distance as you’re walking across and of course the Oma Dam lake. Don’t worry too much if you’re scared of heights; it’s not particularly high. And yes, it is a suspension bridge, but it is fairly stable and not too wobbly.
Frankly, it is quite fun to jump around on the bridge and make it wobble though. Try to get to the Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge on a sunny day, because that’s when the water is its most beautiful and vibrantly coloured with its aqua blue hues.
Park up in one of the parking lots and you’ll have to go on walk from the village; it takes around 30-40 minutes walking to the suspension bridge. You’ll pass through the village, pass restaurants and cafes and souvenir shops. Follow the signs and head through the Tenshi Tunnel until you reach the stairs. There’s around 100-200 stairs down to the suspension bridge, and probably not mobility friendly, but otherwise not too difficult to walk through.
TIP: wear secure shoes. I lost one of my birkenstocks as it fell off my foot and into the water below.
The name, “Yume no Tsuribashi,” translates to “Dream Suspension Bridge,” or “The Bridge of dreams” and there is a reason for it, read on below.
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
As the sun starts to set and there’s less lighting, the water turns a deep cyan blue colour.
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for fun things to see in Kyoto & Japan itinerary!
Why is it called the Bridge of Dreams?
There are various myths and legends surrounding this area that are fascinating to hear about. If you walk to the centre of the Bridge of dreams – Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge, it’s said to be a power spot for fulfilling romantic wishes. It is charged full of energy over the Sumata River. There are various myths say that you can wish to meet the love of your life and you will meet them within the next year – very promising from the Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
I also heard that it is particularly powerful at meeting ‘feminine’ wishes. Either way, get to the centre of the bridge, make a wish and enjoy!
Whether you’re interested in making a wish or not, it’s impressive just for the scenery alone; from hiking trails, nature walks to cultural experiences in the local onsens and delicious Japanese cuisine, the region has a tonne of things to do. The locals are pretty friendly too; they were very kind and spent some time directing us on the local trails when we started walking the wrong way. In no time you’ll reach the Sumata Gorge suspension bridge.
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!
Hotels in Sumatakyo Gorge
There are a few places to stay by in the local village near Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge that are gorgeously quaint and in the perfect place to go hiking. Have a look at hotels nearby, there is the Sumatakyo Onsen Resort that’s very close by the blue lake Shizuoka!
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic Kyoto & Japan itinerary!
Things to see in Sumatakyo Gorge
There are a lot of hiking trails around Sumatakyo Gorge and the Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge and there are, in fact, many other suspension bridges in the area. There is the Hiryu Bridge, Sumata Pass and the Sarunami Bridge which are all very similar to the Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge. There’s also the onsen: Sumatakyo Onsen open-air bath Bijinzukuri no Yu.
Onsens are public baths and spas. It is a traditional part of Japanese life and custom.
If you’re in the neighbourhood, dont miss…
There’s plenty to do in this neighbourhood around Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge, so don’t miss these incredible little gems!
Dont miss the incredible
- Onsen; Sumatakyo Onsen open-air bath Bijinzukuri no Yu
- Hiryu Bridge
- Sumata Pass
- Sarunami Bridge
- Sotomori Shrine
- Sumata Gorge Valley Ozakizaka Observatory
- Oigawa Railway
- The multiple hiking trails
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Sumatakyo Onsen – open-air baths Bijinzukuri no Yu
Onsens are a traditional part of Japanese life, but make sure that you are aware of onsen etiquette, such as not wearing swimwear and adhering to specific rules in shared baths.
- Onsens are traditional Japanese hot springs, offer relaxation in mineral-rich waters, the decor is often very natural, mimicking the outdoors and rocky geothermal spas.
- Men and women are separated into two separate sections of the onsen.
- You are expected to enter the onsen naked. Nude. No clothes!
- Tattoos – this can be a bit contentious and you are unlikely to be allowed into an onsen with tattoos, unless. of course, it is a specific tattoo friendly onsen. Tattoos historically have been associated with gangs and gang violence. Onsens naturally wanted to avoid any fights inside, being local community areas, meaning most onsens will not allow you to enter if you have tattoos.
- These baths (onsens) are an integral part of Japanese culture and tradition, not only used to keep the body clean but also for the social aspect, the healing properties and soothing effects on both body and mind.
- There are plenty of different baths in the onsens and they can be steaming hot to warm, or ice cold. Heat therapy is great for the body!
- The mineral composition of each onsen water is meant to be unique, with therapeutic benefits.
- You are meant to properly scrub your skin thoroughly at the showers before entering the onsen, as a sign of respect and hygiene.
- Onsens often have indoor and outdoor baths, and when there is an outdoor section it is usually very scenic and beautiful; think Japanese gardens and rocky outcrops.
- Many onsens have saunas, relaxation areas, masseuses and even traditional Japanese meals.
- Onsen are found throughout Japan, with popular regions like Hakone, Beppu, and Kusatsu known for their hot springs.
- It’s generally fairly cheap. Most onsens cost between 1-5 GBP / 1.20-6 USD and are equal to some of the nicest spas I’ve been to around London and the UK.
- A visit to an onsen is an incredible cultural and rejuvenating experience.
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic Kyoto & Japan itinerary!
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic Kyoto & Japan itinerary!
Sotomori Shrine: The ‘Big Stone that won’t Fall Shrine’
Location: Senzu, Kawanehon-cho, Haibara-gun
This place in Sumata Gorge is known as a special spot. A huge rock, about 7 to 8 meters tall, stands perfectly balanced on a cliff. It’s been like this for hundreds of years without falling, and people believe it protects them from falling too. Apparently, many students, builders, artists, and gardeners come to pray for success in exams and it protects them from falling. But apparently, if you’re a dry cleaner, comedian, storyteller, or police officer chasing suspects, you’re not supposed to visit! No jokes allowed here.nIt also brings good blessings for good health, home safety, and a plentiful harvest.
You can buy an ema here (small wooden plaques for wishes and prayers) at some of souvenir shops in the village.
Legend has it that a long-nosed goblin once landed on this rock.nA tengu from Kodake (2.592 meters high) used to watch over the area from a big rock at a small shrine in Sumata Gorge.nAccording to the story, the gods later brought the five grains, and the village we see today was formed.nThe rock that the Tengu used to climb became an important object of worship at Sotomori Shrine because it looked like it might fall off the cliff, earning it the name “Big Stone That Doesn’t Fall.”
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Japanese Prayers
I was taught about Japanese prayers or signs of respect when visiting temples by some locals; there are plenty of people that go to visit a buddha shrine Japan or buddha statue in Japan.n
Firstly, you are encouraged to toss a Japanese coin that is either 5 or, if you’re generous, 50 into the THING. The reason behind this is because the Japanese word for 5 or 50 sounds similar to the words for good luck!
- 5-Yen Coin (Go-en): The 5-yen coin is known as “go-en” in Japanese, which, according to our tour guide, apparently sounds similar to the word for “good luck” or “good destiny.” This means that many people choose to make offerings with the 5-yen coin when praying and making wishes at shrines and temples in the hopes of garnering a little more good luck. If they’re not placing a 5 yen coin on a statue, you will also likely see people toss a 5-yen coin into an offering box (saisen-bako) and then clap their hands together twice to get the attention of the deities and make their prayer or wish.
- 50-Yen Coin (Gojū-en): The 50-yen coin is called “gojū-en” in Japanese which similarly to the 5 yen offering, sounds similar to the phrase of good luck, however this is said to be a more generous offering! Apparently, it’s less commonly used than the 5-yen coin for offerings and said to be used for more significant offerings.
- After throwing the coin, the Japanese tradition is to clap twice, then to bow twice. When I asked our PR why this was the case, he wasn’t actually sure so I’ve looked this up on Google for you!
- Clapping twice is meant to get the Deities’ & spirits’ attention and others say that clapping is a cleansing ritual, meaning that when you clap twice you rid yourself of negative energy and negative thoughts.
Yume no Tsuribashi Tours
There aren’t many tours to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge, so your best bet is booking a private tour or rent a car.
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Yume no Tsuribashi Opening times
There are no official opening times; they just recommend going during daylight hours. DO NOT hike back after dark.
How much does it cost?
There is absolutely no fee! It’s completely free to enter the suspension bridge.
Yume no Tsuribashi Car Park
The only thing you might have to pay for is the car park, which is fairly cheap all things considered.
How to get to Yume no Tsuribashi
There aren’t many tours to Yume no Tsuribashi, so you’ll have to rely on public transport or rent a car.
Public Transport
Take the train: Start at Shizuoka station, catch the Tokaido Line to Hamamatsu. Get off at Kanya station, then hop on the Oigawa Tetsudo Line to Senzu station. Finally, grab a bus to Sumatakyo from there.n
Rent a car
Alternatively, you could rent a car and do a road trip like we did! If you’re booking a car, I compare prices on Discover Cars.
Book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic ten day Japan itinerary!
Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge Map
It’s located in the Shizuoka Prefecture, between Tokyo and Kyoto! Save the location to your google maps so you can come back to it later.
What is the best time of day to visit?
I personally thought I would have to arrive very early in the morning to be able to photograph the bridge without a lot of people, but I don’t think that’s the case. We arrived in the afternoon, and there were only a few people on the bridge.
You can go at any time of the day and it probably won’t be too busy. After 9am or 10am, there were certainly people around, so you might want to wait around a bit.n
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Best time of year to visit?
We visited in September and, although it was technically autumn, it was extremely hot, reaching highs of 36 degrees Celsius during the day.
The best time of year to visit is usually spring or late autumn, but winter is said to be good too, as the beautiful nature and scenery is stunning. In late autumn, the colours turn a resplendent red and it’s incredible! In spring, you’ll see all the fresh greens blooming.
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Have a look at my other Japan travel guides here for an epic 10 day Japan itinerary!
Shizuoka Weather
The seasons bring a different charm to the Yume no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge. In spring and summer, the surroundings come alive with vibrant foliage and blossoming flowers.
Shizuoka Weather in January:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 2-7°C (36-45°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 12
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 10 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 7:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:00 PM
Shizuoka Weather in February:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 3-8°C (37-46°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 12
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:45 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:15 PM
Shizuoka Weather in March:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 7-13°C (45-55°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 12
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:45 PM
Shizuoka Weather in April:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 12-19°C (54-66°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 11
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 13 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Shizuoka Weather in May:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 17-24°C (63-75°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 13
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 14 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Shizuoka Weather in June:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 21-29°C (70-84°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 15
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 14 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Shizuoka Weather in July:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 24-32°C (75-90°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 17
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 14 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 7:00 PM
Shizuoka Weather in August:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 26-34°C (79-93°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 13 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Shizuoka Weather in September:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 22-30°C (72-86°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Shizuoka Weather in October:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 15-23°C (59-73°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 8
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:30 PM
Shizuoka Weather in November:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 9-16°C (48-61°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 9
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 10 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:00 PM
Shizuoka Weather in December:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 3-9°C (37-48°F)
- Number of Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 9 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:45 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:00 PM
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
Travel resources for your trip that are actually really handy!
Rent a car or book a private tour to Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge.
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That’s it! I hope you have an amazing time in Yume no Tsuribashi suspension bridge, Japan, it is truly an incredible country and I honestly can’t wait to go back. I will of course, be back with more guides.
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