Kintai Bridge is a historical wooden arch bridge in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
Formed of five wooden arches, the Kintai Bridge spans the Nishiki River. It was originally built only for samurai. Its construction dates from 1673 but a flood destroyed it in 1950. Its replica dates from 1953. Partial restorations took place in 2001 and 2004.
The bridge is made up of wooden arches resting on four stone pillars as well as two series of wooden pillars at the ends located in the bed of the river. Each of the three central sections is 35.1 meters long compared to 34.8 meters for the other two for a total length of approximately 175 meters and a width of 5 meters.
It was declared a National Treasure of Japan in 1922, along with the castle, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
Access : Coordinates: 34.167603, 132.178367 / Kintai Bridge located in the city of Iwakuni, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
Highlights :
- The almost 200 m long bridge is considered one of the most beautiful wooden arch bridges in Japan.
- The Kintai Bridge is also the scene of the “Kintaikyo Festival”, held every April 29 and in which the return to the castle of the Iwakuni daimyo and his retinue of vassals and servants is recreated.
- The bridge’s five arches served as a model for the shape of the curved roof of Seiryu Miharashi Station, which opened in 2019.
Go next : Iwakuni, a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Iwakuni Castle.
