江島大橋 (Eshima Ohashi Bridge, Japan)
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge is a 1,446.2-meter-long bridge connecting Yatsuka-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and Watari-cho, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. This bridge is also known as “Betafumi-zaka” (Accelerator-Depressing Slope) due to its steep gradient. When viewed from the ground, the visual angle appears to be 45 degrees, giving the illusion that cars are falling from the sky, but in reality, there’s a clever trick behind it.
Actually driving over the Eshima Ohashi Bridge is surprisingly normal and smooth. Using the camera zoom from the Shimane Prefecture side of the slope makes it appear steep, but it’s actually just an optical illusion of the angle. However, on a clear day, you can enjoy magnificent views of Mount Daisen and Daikon Island floating in Nakaumi Lake from the bridge, making it a famous tourist spot representative of Shimane Prefecture.
