Kintaikyo

Kintaikyo is one of Japan's three most famous bridges, spanning the Kintai River in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is a rare five-arch wooden arch bridge in the world. In 1673, Yoshikawa Hiroyoshi, the third lord of the Iwakuni Domain, ordered the bridge to be built with the goal of creating a "bridge that would not wash away," and it was completed through innovative engineering techniques. The bridge is approximately 193 meters long and about 5 meters wide, with five arches forming beautiful curves as they span the clear Kintai River. Its graceful form is designated as a nationally designated scenic beauty as the masterpiece of Japanese bridge architecture.

The greatest feature of Kintaikyo is its elaborate structure, assembled without using a single nail. The arch sections are connected with large amounts of wood bound by iron bands and braces, fixed by their own weight using a unique construction method. This technique is said to have been inspired by a bridge depicted in Chinese illustrations, but the actual structure is the crystallization of Japan's own creative ingenuity. When looking up from beneath the bridge, the complex and beautiful structure created by multiple layers of overlapping wood becomes immediately apparent, captivating architecture enthusiasts and photography lovers alike.

Over its approximately 350-year history, Kintaikyo has undergone several reconstructions. The current bridge was rebuilt from 2001 to 2004 as part of the comprehensive restoration project. The reconstruction, which faithfully reproduced traditional construction methods while enhancing durability with modern technology, was highly praised as a model example of cultural property preservation. The timber used totaled approximately 2,600 cubic meters, with carefully selected premium materials from across Japan.

The experience of crossing Kintaikyo is itself the highlight of visiting this famous site. The arched bridge surface has gentle undulations, and as you walk while feeling the texture of wood beneath your feet, you can immerse yourself in the sense of retracing the same path as people did 350 years ago. From the bridge, you can see the transparent waters of the Kintai River and its remarkably clear riverbed stones. In summer, you can see ayu fish swimming in the river, and the scene unfolds like a watercolor painting of riverside landscape.

The seasonal beauty of Kintaikyo should not be missed. In spring, approximately 3,000 cherry trees bloom along the Kintai River, and the sight of cherry blossoms and Kintaikyo together was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots. Particularly, the silhouette of the bridge and nighttime illuminated cherry blossoms create a fantastical beauty. In summer, cormorant fishing is conducted on the Kintai River, and you can enjoy the atmospheric vista of the illuminated river and bridge in the glow of bonfires. In autumn, autumn leaves dye the bridge's backdrop in colors of brocade, and in winter, snow-covered Kintaikyo displays a dignified beauty.

Beyond the bridge spreads Yoshika Park, from which a ropeway leads to Iwakuni Castle. From the castle tower at the summit, a grand panorama unfolds with views of Kintaikyo, Iwakuni's castle town, and islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Within the park are the Iwakuni Art Museum and the Yoshikawa Historical Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of the Iwakuni Domain. At the White Snake Museum, you can observe up close the white snakes, natural monuments that have inhabited the Iwakuni area since ancient times.

For Iwakuni cuisine, "Iwakuni sushi" is a local specialty. A feudal lord's sushi made by layering sushi rice and ingredients in a large wooden frame and pressing them together, it features colorful ingredients such as lotus root, egg, shiitake mushroom, and fish flakes, displaying a beautiful cross-section. It can be enjoyed at restaurants around Kintaikyo and is a local dish that delights both the eye and the palate.

Access: approximately 20 minutes by bus from JR Iwakuni Station, get off at Kintaikyo. From Hiroshima Station, it takes approximately 50 minutes by JR to reach Iwakuni Station. Bridge toll is 310 yen for adults (970 yen for a set ticket with the Iwakuni Castle ropeway). Please experience for yourself the masterpiece of wooden arch bridge architecture born from 350 years of wisdom and skill.