Travel Japan Following the Guinness World Records: The World’s Narrowest Strait Is Less Than 10 Meters Wide

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Japan is not only home to numerous landscapes and historical sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but also many attractions overlooked by travelers yet listed in the “Guinness World Records.” With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, if you’re planning a trip to Japan, why not visit and explore these unique spots?

▲ Located in Mie Prefecture in western Japan, this ultra-exciting roller coaster, "Steel Dragon 2000," holds a Guinness World Record for being the most thrilling in its category. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons, the same below)

The roller coaster that has earned four Guinness World Records certifications — Mie Prefecture’s “Steel Dragon 2000”

There used to be a saying in Japan: “Fuji-Q Highland in the east, Nagashima Spa Land in the west,” referring to the two theme parks with the highest thrill levels. Located in Mie Prefecture within the Nagashima Resort, the park boasts ten heart-pounding roller coasters, making it one of Japan’s two most exhilarating theme parks alongside Fuji-Q Highland.

Among them, the park’s most famous super roller coaster, “Steel Dragon 2000,” was so thrilling that it earned four Guinness World Records in 2000: “Fastest Roller Coaster (153 km/h),” “Longest Roller Coaster (2,479 meters),” “Greatest Height Drop (93.5 meters),” and “Highest Roller Coaster Track Peak (97 meters).”

Although three of those records have since been surpassed, the “Steel Dragon 2000,” which still takes about one minute just to climb to its highest point, remains the longest roller coaster in the world today.

 % Watch actual riding footage of the “Steel Dragon 2000” here — the descent is sure to make you want to scream. Video from YouTube; please excuse if removed.

▲ Although it may look like a river, it’s actually a “strait”!

World’s Narrowest Strait — Dobuchi Strait

The Dobuchi Strait is located between the islands of Naoshima and Shodoshima in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. It stretches 2.5 kilometers in length, with the widest point about 400 meters, but the narrowest point is only 9.93 meters. It is not only the narrowest strait in Japan but also the narrowest in the world, and was listed in the Guinness World Records in 1996.

▲ They say the ocean is boundless — this bridge could be described the same way.

World’s Longest Wooden Footbridge — Shimizu Prefectural Horai Bridge

Located in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, this wooden bridge spans the Oigawa River and is designated for pedestrians and bicycles. Its total length is 897.422 meters, but crossing it requires paying a “toll”: adults walking or cycling across are charged 100 yen, while children under elementary school age walking across are charged 10 yen.

Horai Bridge was also listed by the Guinness World Records in 1997 as the “World’s Longest Wooden Footbridge.”

▲ An incredibly easy-to-remember station name — no matter how you write it, it’s just one character long.

World’s Shortest-Named Station — Tsu Station in Mie Prefecture, Japan

Located in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, there is a train station that has the shortest name among all stations in Japan, whether written in kana or kanji: JR Line, Kintetsu Railway, and Ise Railway intersect at “Tsu Station.”

In Japanese, the kanji “津” is pronounced the same as the hiragana “つ” (tsu), so not only in kanji but even when written in kana, it consists of just one character. It has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the station with the “world’s shortest name.”

▲ A spectacular suspended monorail — ride from end to end and enjoy views of Chiba City.

World’s Longest Suspended Monorail — Chiba Urban Monorail

The “Chiba Urban Monorail” in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, is a suspended monorail, hence also nicknamed the “sky walk,” offering broader views of Chiba City compared to regular trains.

The Chiba Urban Monorail has a total length of 15.2 kilometers and was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2001 as the “World’s Longest Suspended Monorail.” However, in terms of overall train line length, Osaka’s “Osaka Monorail” is the longest in Japan, and the world’s longest monorail is Chongqing Rail Transit in Chongqing, China.