Overview
The Izushima Bridge is a road bridge on the municipal Onagawa-Izushima route, connecting Oura on the mainland with the island of Izushima in the town of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. Built under the project name of the Izushima Bridge project at a total cost of 16.7 billion yen including approach roads, it opened on 19 December 2024. This new bridge finally links by land an island that had long depended on boats, standing as a symbol of Onagawa's gateway to the sea and an appealing destination for a scenic drive.
Highlights
- ●A new sea-spanning road bridge opened on 19 December 2024
- ●A design honoured with the JSCE Tanaka Award for new construction
- ●The dramatic span linking the mainland and the island of Izushima by land
- ●Its role as a local lifeline that doubles as an evacuation route
History
Izushima was once an island reachable from the mainland only by boat. To change this, the Izushima Bridge project was carried out, and the bridge was built at a total cost of 16.7 billion yen including its approach roads. Opening on 19 December 2024, it opened new paths for island life, disaster preparedness and tourism. The bridge also received the 2024 Tanaka Award of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers in the works category for new construction, a mark of high esteem for its engineering and design.
Access
The bridge spans between Oura on the mainland side and Izushima in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, at roughly 38.45 degrees north and 141.51 degrees east. It can be reached by following the coastal road from central Onagawa, and it is now possible to drive across to the island. As traffic conditions and the surrounding roads can change with the weather, check the latest guidance from the town of Onagawa before visiting.
Best season
The bridge and sea look their best from spring through autumn, when the air is clear and the water calm. On a fine day the span arching over the blue sea is especially striking. Winter brings strong north winds and rough seas, so watch for wind and road conditions. The light shifts through the day, with a soft glow at dawn and dusk.
Map
38.4502, 141.5142 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Follow the coastal road from central Onagawa to the bridge foot at Oura
- 2Cross the sea-spanning Izushima Bridge, enjoying the ocean views
- 3Enter Izushima across the bridge and stroll its hamlets and shore
- 4On the way back, take in the span over the sea from a viewpoint
Did you know?
💡 The Izushima Bridge won the 2024 Tanaka Award of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers in the new-construction works category. It was a major undertaking costing 16.7 billion yen, and with the Tohoku Electric Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant about 5 kilometres to the southwest of Izushima, the bridge is also expected to serve as an evacuation route in emergencies, a single crossing that carries the weight of daily life, disaster response and tourism.
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