Tokyo Gate Bridge is like a dinosaur?

Tokyo Gate Bridge has a nickname.  It is the Dinosaur Bridge.  When you look at it from the side, it resembles two Tyrannosaurus Rexes facing each other.  It’s a good place for photography.  But, like most things in life, there are pros and cons.

It’s very different from Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba.  That one is very close to the Tokyo skyline.  From the Dinosaur, it is much further.  The perspective is very different.

Many of the best Dinosaur Bridge photos are of it.  When the afternoon sun lights it up, it’s beautiful.  The pictures I have here don’t do it justice.  I’ll take a tripod when I make the journey again. 

You can also get some great pictures of it with Mount Fuji.  The mountain lies to the southwest and is easily visible in good weather.   If you get the right conditions, you’ll get something special.

I did take a walk over the bridge while I was there.  The view was great, but I didn’t find it very worthy of pictures.  Still, I have posted a few here for reference.  The strength of the wind made that problematic.  That was a pity, especially as I like bracketing my photographs.

What can you photograph from Tokyo Gate Bridge?

• Aircraft operating from Haneda Airport
• Anglers (the area is popular for fishing)
• Ferries and other vessels
• Mount Fuji
• Rainbow Bridge
• Tokyo city skyline
• Tokyo Skytree
• Tokyo Tower

When is the best time to photograph Tokyo Gate Bridge?

I recommend sunset and night.  Both are great.  When the bridge lights up, it is gorgeous.  You’ll see Mount Fuji between the bridge’s spans if the weather is good.

Photography tips

• Tripods are not allowed on the bridge decks.
• You can only photograph from one side of the deck, the north side.
• I’d suggest taking at least one wide-angle and a long lens.  The longer one will be useful for photographing Mount Fuji and places like Tower Tower.  If you took only one, I think you’d regret it.
• There are two spots to photograph the length of the bridge.  One is the low grassy slope on the south side.  The other is the concrete seawall on the north.  

Does the bridge light up?

Yes, it does.  You can see a list of the light schemes on this website (use Google translate if you don’t read Japanese).  The nice thing is that the colors vary for each event.

Problems photographing there

• It is problematic getting there if you don’t have private transport.  Once you get to the closest train station, you need to catch a bus.  And those only run a couple of times an hour.
• The last bus back from the bridge is 9:15 pm on weekdays and Saturdays.  On holidays, it is 9:05 pm.  Make sure you check timetables before you go. 
• The bridge can get incredibly windy.  Make sure you keep a firm grip on your belongings.
• If you walk over the bridge, you need to go back!  That’s right. There is only one entrance and exit.
• There is only one side of the bridge to walk on, the north side.  That side faces the city.  It is difficult to photograph the open ocean and Chiba from the observation deck.
• If you are going to climb the rock seawalls to get a better view of the bridge, be careful.  There will be spray that might wet your camera.  You also need to watch your footing.

Where is Tokyo Gate Bridge?

From Shin-Kiba Station, take the number 11 bus at stop 1 to Wakasu Park Camping Grounds.  Make sure to check with the bus driver of your destination when you get on.  The bridge is only a short walk from the stop.

Here is a Google Map:

Admission costs

None

Public Restrooms

Available, but not on the bridge.  You can find them on the east side, near the elevator.

Tokyo Gate Bridge opening hours

It is open from 10 am to 5 pm for pedestrians.

From July 1 to September 30, it is open from 10 am to 8 pm (with the last entry at 7:30 pm)

The bridge is closed on the third Tuesday of every month to pedestrians.  It is also closed on the first Tuesday in December (or the next day if it is a public holiday). It might also be closed if there is bad weather. 

Other photo spots near Tokyo Gate Bridge

• Disneyland
• Kasai Rinkai Park
• Tokyo Sea Life Park
• Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse

Are bicycles allowed?

No.

Wrapping up

Tokyo Gate Bridge is far.  For example, from Shinjuku, it’s thirty minutes and about twenty more for the bus.  That trip and waiting for transport can add up to be a considerable amount of time.  I can imagine some not wanting to make such a long journey with camera gear.  That is understandable, but those might be missing a great opportunity.

The bridge in the afternoon and night is beautiful.  Take a tripod for shots from the seawall for some stunning sunset photographs.  I’ll do that one day as I would love to put some better images in this article. By the way, do you think it looks like a dinosaur? If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.