This time, I took a motorcycle tour from a friend’s house in Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Tokyo Gate Bridge.
Tokyo Gate Bridge is a huge truss bridge that spans Tokyo Port’s Third Passage, and is a new tourist spot that just opened in 2012. This time, I would like to tell you about its charm, how to access it, and information on motorcycle parking.
Route to Tokyo Gate Bridge
From Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Tokyo Gate Bridge, use National Route 17 and the Shin-Omiya Bypass to Saitama City, then take the Shuto Expressway Omiya Line.
From the Shuto Expressway Omiya Line, take the Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line and transfer to the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line at Takebashi JCT.
From the Shuto Expressway’s Inner Loop Line, take the Hamasakibashi JCT to the Shuto Expressway’s Wangan Line and exit at Daiba IC.
From Daiba IC, use the Aomi Tunnel and Aomi Jukan Line to enter the Tokyo Port Rinkai Road. As you proceed along the Tokyo Port Rinkai Road, you will see the Tokyo Gate Bridge.
This route includes many toll sections of the Metropolitan Expressway, but it is time-efficient as it avoids traffic jams.
Also, from the Shuto Expressway, you can enjoy views of Tokyo’s skyscrapers and Rainbow Bridge. However, the Metropolitan Expressway has narrow lanes and many curves, so you need to be careful when driving a motorcycle.
Highlights of Tokyo Gate Bridge
Tokyo Gate Bridge is a steel truss bridge with a total length of 2,618m, a maximum span length of 440m, and a maximum height of 87.8m.
It is also called the “Dinosaur Bridge” because the shape of the bridge looks like dinosaurs facing each other.
The color of the bridge is red, called “Japanese Red,” and it is illuminated at night with LED lighting powered by a solar power generation system. The color of the illumination changes depending on the season and event.
A feature of Tokyo Gate Bridge is that it has a sidewalk section.
The pedestrian section can be accessed by elevator and you can walk to the center of the bridge.
From the sidewalk, you can see Tokyo Bay and the city center up close. You can also see the inside of the bridge girder. The sidewalk section is open from 10:00 to 17:00 (until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from July to September) and is free.
However, we are closed on the 3rd Tuesday of every month and the 1st Tuesday of December (or the following day in the case of a holiday). In addition, there are restrictions on use during stormy weather, snowfall, or ice.
Tokyo Gate Bridge motorcycle parking lot
引用 https://kuchibashiblog.com/wakasu-marine-park/
Tokyo Gate Bridge does not have its own parking lot, but there are several motorcycle parking lots nearby. The recommended motorcycle parking lot is the paid parking lot at Wakasu Seaside Park on the east side of the bridge.
Motorcycles can be parked here for free. The park also has a sea fishing park, a multipurpose plaza with playground equipment, and a barbecue and camping area where you can enjoy leisure activities. The park offers panoramic views of Tokyo Gate Bridge and Tokyo Bay.
Also, Tokyo Gate Bridge is a short distance from Tokyo Big Sight. From Tokyo Big Sight, it is convenient to take the Yurikamome from Kokusai Tenjijo Station or Ariake Tennisnomori Station and get off at Aomi Station.
This time, I toured by motorcycle from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Tokyo Gate Bridge.
Tokyo Gate Bridge is a tourist spot that symbolizes the new bay route and allows you to enjoy the scenery of Tokyo Bay and the city center.
If you use the pedestrian walkway, you can also see the center of the bridge and the inside of the bridge girders. Leisure facilities such as Wakasu Seaside Park and Tokyo Big Sight are also nearby.
When touring by motorcycle, please be aware of traffic restrictions on the Metropolitan Expressway and bridges. It is also a good idea to check the motorcycle parking lot in advance.
The above was sent to you by _hiroyuki.ta. Next time we look forward to!
