The Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge (明石海峡大橋, Akashi Kaikyō Ō-hashi?), also known as Pearl Bridge in Japan was completed in 1998 and is the world’s longest suspension bridge (measure by the length of the centre span of 1,991 metres (6,532 ft). It links the city of Kobe on the mainland of Honshū to Iwaya on Awaji Island by crossing the busy Akashi Strait. It carries the part of the Honshū-Shikoku Highway.

It was planned to be one of three Honshū-Shikoku connecting bridges, annexing two borders of the Inland Sea.

Before the Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge was built, ferries carried passengers across the Akashi Strait in Japan. This dangerous waterway often experiences severe storms, and in 1955, two ferries sank in the strait during a storm, killing 168 children. The ensuing shock and public outrage convinced the Japanese government to develop plans for a suspension bridge to cross the strait. The original plan called for a mixed railway-road bridge, but when construction on the bridge began in April 1986, the construction was restricted to road only, with six lanes. Actual construction did not begin until May 1986, and the bridge was opened for traffic on April 5, 1998. The Akashi Strait is an international waterway and required a 1,500 metres (4,921 ft) wide shipping lane.

The bridge has three spans. The central span is 1,991 meters (6,532 ft), with the two other sections each 960 meters (3,150 ft). The bridge is 3,911 meters (12,831 ft) long overall. The central span was originally only 1,990 meters (6,529 ft), but the Kobe earthquake on January 17, 1995 moved the two towers sufficiently so that it had to be increased by 1 meter (only the towers had been erected at the time).

The bridge was designed with a two-hinged stiffening girder system, allowing the structure to withstand winds of 286 kilometers per hour (178 mph), earthquakes measuring to 8.5 on the Richter scale, and harsh sea currents. The bridge also contains pendulums which are designed to operate at the resonance frequency of the bridge to damp forces. The two main supporting towers are 298 meters (978 ft) above sea level, and the bridge can expand up to two meters in one day.

So pretty!

In this season there is nothing better than savoring the beautiful display of christmas in your city. Big and small glimmering lights, and trees with mock presents and doves. It would make a perfect postcard picture. In Japan, there are spectacular light shows during this time of the year. And the one that is most popular is the Kobe Luminarie. You can check out the Kobe Luminarie at Dec 6-17, 2007. But below is a list of Luminarie spots in Tokyo, taken from Japan-Guide.com:

Shiodome (more details)
“Caretta Ocean Xmas” is one of Tokyo’s most spectacular illuminations this year. 10 minute shows with music are held every 30 minutes (Nov 30 to Dec 25, 2007; from 17:00 to 23:30). Nearby Nihon TV has its own illuminations.

Roppongi Hills (more details)
The illumination at Roppongi Hills is called “Artelligent Christmas 2007″ and is most spectacular along Roppongi Keyakizaka Street (Nov 8 to Dec 25, 2007; from 17:00 to 23:00). Furthermore, a German style Christmas Market is held (Dec 1-25, 2007; 11:00 to 21:00).

Tokyo Midtown (more details)
Opened in spring 2007, Tokyo Midtown celebrates its “First Christmas” this year with various illuminations (Nov 15 to Dec 25, 16:00 to 0:00).

Odaiba (more details)
“Daiba Memorial Tree” is a large illuminated tree in Odaiba Kaihin Park in front of the Decks shopping center (Nov 10 to Dec 25, 2007 and Jan 1-14, 2008; from 17:00 to 0:00). Several other places on Odaiba, such as Venusfort, have illumination events, as well.

Tokyo Dome City (more details)
“Happy Christmas 2007″ is the name of the beautiful illuminations around Tokyo Dome and adjacent amusement park (Nov 8 to Dec 25, 2007; 17:00 to 1:00).

Ginza (more details)
Christmas trees along Chuo Street and illuminations by many individual stores, including the “Mikimoto Jumbo Christmas Tree”, make the popular shopping and entertainment district even more colorful than it is anyway.

Marunouchi (more details)
Marunouchi’s Naka Dori is lit up (Nov 16, 2007 to Feb 17, 2008; 17:30 to 23:00) and several buildings in the district, including the Marubiru, have their own displays.

Yebisu Garden Place (more details)
The central plaza is illuminated and a huge crystal chandelier will be displayed during the “Baccarat Eternal Lights” event (Nov 3, 2007 to Jan 14, 2008; from 16:00 to 23:00)

Shinjuku Southern Terrace (more details)
“Shinjuku Southern Lights” is the illumination display on the Shinjuku Southern Terrace, south of JR Shinjuku Station (Nov 9, 2007 to Feb 14; from 17:00 to 0:00).

This is the actual Shirakawa stream mentioned in the book, Memoirs of a Geisha, where Sayuri first met the chairman as a little girl crying on the bridge. :) Makes me wanna go there with my book and trace down the whole scene in my head.

Come next year, is another beautiful Winter Festival organized by Kyoto that runs from Dec 2007 to March 2008. Array of activities from New Year events to Setsubun’s can be expected providing of you know the dates. Japan-Guide has put together a calender of events for your references and one of their activities look extremely pleasant to me: Arashiyama Hanatoro. :)

Arashiyama is a district off Kyoto – not exactly very far away – and during this festival, the streets are lighted up with beautiful lanterns. It is a sight to behold. And probably a good idea to bring your gf/bf for a little romantic walk while enjoying the festivities around. So here are the list of events to lookout for from Dec 2007 to March 2008:

December 8-17
Arashiyama Hanatoro

December 31 – January 3
New Year’s Events

February 2-4
Setsubun

Mid February – Mid March
Plum Blossom Viewing

March 14 – 23
Higashiyama Hanatoro

If you’re looking for a hot-spring resort that is in between Kyoto and Osaka, Kinosaki Onsen is a place for you. It’s situated in a beautiful location, by the coastline of Sea of Japan. Needless to say, it has a fantastic view. Lines of weep willows are drawn along the river that runs through the town of Kinosaki, which makes it extremely beautiful and sage-looking come spring time.

Anyway, the hot-springs at Kinosaki was discovered during the 8th century and it’s been a popular spot since then. Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most popular onsen spots in Japan and is definitely a great option to stay in if you’re stopping to take a rest from all the traveling. The little picturesque town also offer historical sites to see while you’re in town. Of the mentionable spots are Konotori no Sato (a sanctuary for endangered storks) and Onsenji Temple. Kinosaki onsen is considered to be an off the beaten tracks gem of Japan.

How would you like to visit an Inn where feudal lords from the Edo period visited all the time? The Nijo Jinya Inn used to be a meeting place for Feudal lords and is usually decked up with security so that no attempts on assassination can be plot against them. Even the Inn is built in such a way that it is filled with secret doors, secret alley ways and hidden escape routes in case of an attack. The inn is build like a fortress.

Tours for this place are held only in Japanese unfortunately, so if you don’t understand Japanese, bring a Japanese friend with you. It is advisable to make appointments for this place in advance by calling 075-841-0972. Tour takes about an hour long. Admission fee is 1000yen.

Go to this link to find out more about how to get to Nijo Jinya.

This is the best aquarium in Japan, which showcase aquatic life from the pacific rim. What’s impressive if that every sea creature is organized and displayed according to its habitat and species, the Osaka Aquarium is definitely a place to visit if you are in Osaka for a little knowledge boost about sea life from the Pacific Ocean. Entry fee is 2000 Yen for every person and the tour starts on the 8th floor, which you will then spiral down, aquarium to aquarium of aquatic life from different regions. One of the aquarium’s attraction is the whale shark, one of the largest vegetarian mammals of the sea.

Check out this video clip of the Osaka Aquarium:

Chion’in Temple (知恩院) in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan is the headquarters of the Jodo Shu (Pure Land Sect) founded by Honen (1133-1212), who proclaimed that sentient beings are reborn in Amida Buddha’s Western Paradise (Pure Land) by reciting the nembutsu, Amida Buddha’s name.

The vast compounds of Chion-in include the site where Honen settled to disseminate his teachings and the site where he died.

Chionin temple is filled with serenity amidst the beautiful architecture left by history. The beauty of it is that most of its original structures are still standing. This is definitely a place to visit. Check out the large temple bell engraved with sutras and prayers.

How to get there?

Chionin is located immediately north of Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. The closest subway station is Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line.

Sometimes, videos speak louder than words.

This is Ginkakuji temple (or Silver Pavilion in English). It’s not exactly plated with silver but during winter, you can imagine that you are in a silver wonderland. The pavilion was built by a shogun named Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a his retirement villa. After his death, the pavilion was converted in a zen temple. This beautiful Zen temple that should not be missed in any case if you are ever dropping by Kyoto.

How to get there?
Ginkakuji can be accessed by direct bus number 5, 17 or 100 from Kyoto Station. Alternatively, you can reach Ginkakuji by foot along the Path of Philosophy from Nanzenji.

For orientation around Kyoto, click here.