Kintaikyo Bridge

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Kintaikyo Bridge

One of Japan's most celebrated bridges, featuring graceful wooden arches unlike any others in the world.

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Kintaikyo Bridge is one of Japan's most celebrated wooden bridges. It is designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty and considered one of Japan's three most famous bridges.
This impressive five-arch bridge spans the Nishiki River and measures 193.3 m long and 5 m wide.

The bridge was originally built in 1673, inspired by a bridge on West Lake in Hangzhou, China.
It was washed away by a flood in 1950 and rebuilt in 1953.
In 2004, the two bridges became sister bridges, and a stone monument commemorating their friendship was erected.

Its structure is unlike any other in the world, and efforts are underway to have it inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
The sturdy interlocking woodwork is designed so that pressure from above further strengthens the bridge. The intricate joinery is clearly visible when looking up from underneath.

The bridge is illuminated at night during certain periods.
It is also famous for its cherry blossoms. Each season offers colorful scenery: cherry blossoms in spring, nighttime views of cormorant fishing and fireworks in summer, autumn foliage in the surrounding natural forests, and snow-covered landscapes in winter.

Highlights

  • One of Japan's three most famous bridges.
  • Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
  • Designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty.
  • Highly regarded for the advanced engineering inspired by a determination to build a bridge that would not be washed away.

Photos

  • One of Japan's most celebrated wooden bridges

    One of Japan's most celebrated wooden bridges

  • The intricate joinery is clearly visible from beneath the bridge

    The intricate joinery is clearly visible from beneath the bridge

  • Graceful wooden arches unlike any others in the world

    Graceful wooden arches unlike any others in the world

  • Take in views of Kintaikyo Bridge and the riverbank from a boat

    Take in views of Kintaikyo Bridge and the riverbank from a boat

  • Also famous for its cherry blossoms

    Also famous for its cherry blossoms

  • Kintaikyo Bridge illuminated at night

    Kintaikyo Bridge illuminated at night

Reviews

8

Some reviews are AI-translated.

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    Made it to the legendary Kintai Bridge, one of Japan’s three famous bridges!
    The five connected wooden arches are unbelievably beautiful. It’s an architectural marvel built without a single nail.
    After crossing the bridge, we took the ropeway up to Iwakuni Castle, where you can look out over the stunning panoramic view of the entire bridge and the Nishiki River.

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    If you’re visiting Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, you definitely shouldn’t miss Kintai Bridge, known as one of Japan’s Three Famous Bridges and one of its Three Unique Bridges. This five-arch wooden bridge has more than 300 years of history. Spanning the Nishiki River, it still stands strong today and showcases Japan’s refined traditional craftsmanship with its nail-free and rivet-free construction.

    On a nice day, you can see Iwakuni Shrine in the distance on the hillside, or walk down to the riverbed to admire the graceful curves and wooden structure of the five arches from different angles. The surrounding old town, park, and local food also make it well worth another visit!

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    Walking across the bridge over the riverbed and taking in the natural scenery in the distance feels really relaxing.

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    This wave-shaped wooden bridge is built without a single nail. It really shows off the amazing skills of Japanese craftsmen.

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    The bridge looks stunning at night when it's lit up. The lights really bring out its beautiful and charming appearance.

Details

Name in Japanese
錦帯橋
Postal Code
741-0062
Address
1 Iwakuni, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Phone
0827-41-1477 (Nishikigawa Railway Co., Ltd., Iwakuni Management Office)
Hours
Open 24 hours (lights turned off at 10:00 p.m.)
Toll booth hours: Summer, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; winter, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed on
Open year-round
Bridge admission
Ages 12 and over: 500 yen; elementary school students: 250 yen
(When the toll booth is unattended, place the admission fee in the nighttime payment box before crossing.)
Access
About 20 minutes by bus from Iwakuni Station, or about 12 minutes by bus from Shin-Iwakuni Station
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa