Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Spanning 1,380 meters across Muroran Port, Hakucho Ohashi Bridge is the largest suspension bridge in eastern Japan. A shining symbol of the city, it uses wind power to create its nighttime illumination.

With elegant curves resembling a swan spreading its wings, Hakucho Ohashi Bridge is a “bridge of dreams” that took 25 years to complete. As Japan’s first suspension bridge built in a snowy, cold region, it showcases cutting-edge engineering of its time, including 47-centimeter main cables made of 127 piano wires, each 5.2 millimeters in diameter. By day, the pure white towers and countless suspension cables form striking geometric patterns against the blue sky and sea, while sea breezes carry the calls of seagulls through the air.

At night, eco-friendly LED lighting powered by wind energy illuminates the bridge. Countless points of light tracing the main cables create the image of a luminous swan floating above the dark sea. At the nearby Hakucho Ohashi Bridge Memorial Hall, visitors can explore construction exhibits, including wind tunnel models demonstrating the bridge’s ability to withstand winds of up to 67 meters per second and the world’s first S-shaped wires. This fusion of Muroran’s ironworking heritage and the power of nature leaves a lasting impression.