Washuzan Hill is the perfect spot for close up views of Setouchi Ohashi Bridge.
There is a scenic highway that leading to the halfway point of the hill. It is one of the Setouchi area’s well-known spots for watching the sunset – you can enjoy some light hiking while enjoying the fabulous views, too.

This is Washuzan Hill. Located in the background of Setouchi Ohashi Bridge, the rugged rock covered hill stands 133 meters above sea level.

Toll-free parking spaces are available at the halfway point of the hill. If you walk up the stairs from the parking area, you will reach the viewing platform and a rest house.

This is the view from the viewing platform. Setouchi Ohashi Bridge is actually composed of several bridges – It is a collective name for 10 bridges that stretch over the Inland Sea and connect Shikoku with Honshu with a total length of 12.3 kilometers!

Around 90% of the people who visit Washuzan Hill go back after taking a look from this first viewing platform.

It takes around 30 minutes to get to the hilltop from the viewing platform, but the trail is not steep. It’s an easy walk, and the course has been created to allow glimpses of the islands floating in Seto Inland Sea as you get closer and closer to Setouchi Ohashi Bridge.

The course is dotted with resting areas and unique stone monuments. As you gradually get closer to the hilltop, you can take commemorative photographs every now and then.
Finally, after climbing a slightly steeper rock wall you reach the top of the hill! Here you will truly have a view of Setouchi Ohashi Bridge right below your eyes.

As the bridge is very long, if you wish to take photographs it will be difficult to capture the length in one angle unless your camera has a super wide-angle lens (around 10mm to 24mm). If so, you will be able to capture the full length from the vicinity of the hilltop.

Also, the Washuzan Hill hiking course does not end at the top of the hill. There is a course that allows hikers to descend gently while continuing to get closer to Setouchi Ohashi Bridge. The course finishes by a square gazebo.

This is the view from right behind the bridge. If you walk all the way to this point, you will be able to capture a panoramic view of the bridge even with a standard lens.

Another recommendation is the sunset view from Mt. Washu!

Especially from autumn to winter, views of the sun setting between the islands seen beyond Setouchi Ohashi Bridge are wonderful. The area has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 best places to see the sunset.