Exploring Five Unique, But Somewhat Ignored Bridges In Japan

Japan is full of interesting architectural womders. Some of the most creative designs can be seen in its bridges scattered all over the country. Here are just a few of the more interesting structures I have stumbled across in recent years while living and working here.

Kazurabashi Bridge

The vine bridge (Suspension Bridge) over the Iya River is called Iya no Kazurabashi (Vine Bridges in the Iya Valley) and this suspension bridge is 45 meters long and 2 meters wide, and is 14 meters above the water. Rebuilt every three years, this bridge is designated as a national important folkloric property and is one of Japan’s three rare bridges. If you go deeper upstream into the recesses of Iya, you will find a double vine bridge which consists of a female and male bridge and is called the Oku Iya Double Vine Bridge.

Shimanami Kaido bridges (Ehime/Hiroshima prefectures)

The Nishiseto Expressway, commonly known as the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Expressway, links Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, with Imabari, Ehime Prefecture. It’s a 60 kilometer-long highway exclusively for automobiles that links the islands of the Seto Inland Sea with nine individual bridges.

Each bridge consists of a road way and a pedestrian walkway. That enables people to enjoy the sea breeze as they walk or cycle across the bridge.

The area along the Shimanami Kaido linked by bridges is blessed by the temperate climate of the Seto Inland Sea. There is much to delight visitors, including the loveliness of nature on the islands, sites of history and culture, and a variety of activities.

Kintaikyo (Iwakuni)

The Kintai Bridge is a historical wooden arch bridge in a city called Iwakuni

The bridge was built in 1673, spanning the Nishiki River in a series of five wooden arches. The bridge is located on the foot of Mt.Yokoyama, at the top of which lies Iwakuni Castle.

Meganebashi (Nagasaki)