Ryujinkyo Koinobori Festival

The Ryujin Bridge in Ibaraki Prefecture is a massive pedestrian suspension bridge that opened in 1994. It’s a popular destination for nature enthusiasts who enjoy the seasonal views from the bridge, and it’s also one of Japan’s top spots for bungee jumping, providing an exhilarating experience for adrenaline junkies. During the Golden Week period, the bridge hosts a koinobori (carp streamer) festival to celebrate Children’s Day. Koinobori are symbols of strength and perseverance because carp are known for swimming upstream and overcoming obstacles. On May 5th, which is Children’s Day, children who are junior high school age or younger can cross the suspension bridge for free during the koinobori festival. On regular days, the crossing fee is ¥320 for adults (high school students and above), and ¥210 for children.