The loop features a grade difference of 105 meters over a total track length of approximately 2.3 kilometers.
It is one of the few locations in Japan where a train performs a vertical spiral to navigate extreme mountainous gradients.
The structure was built to replace an older, inefficient rail route that struggled with the steep incline.
The name 'Orochi' refers to the legendary eight-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi, central to local Shimane mythology.
The bridge is designed to allow small tourist trains and local diesel railcars to operate safely through the rugged topography.
The Okuizumo Orochi Loop is a double-spiral railway bridge designed to overcome a steep elevation change on the JR Kisuki Line in Shimane Prefecture. Completed in 1992, the structure spans the Ii-nashi River valley and allows trains to gain height by circling in a figure-eight pattern. It serves as a feat of civil engineering, connecting the Okuizumo area's mountainous terrain to the lower plains. The bridge is situated near the Michi-no-Eki Okuizumo Orochi Loop, which provides an elevated view of the tracks. The surrounding landscape is characterized by deep valleys and dense forest cover, typical of the Chugoku Mountains.
The observation deck at the Michi-no-Eki Okuizumo Orochi Loop overlooking the tracks.
Check the train timetable beforehand to time your visit with a passing locomotive.
Visit the adjacent roadside station viewing deck for the best perspective of the tracks.
Bring binoculars if you wish to observe the mechanical details of the rail curves from a distance.
Do not attempt to walk on or near the actual railway tracks, as they are active and fenced off.
The rail line remains operational, but train frequency is low; check local railway schedules for current service status.
