Kintaikyo Bridge

National Place Of Scenic Beauty; One Of The Three Famous Bridges Of Japan · Iwakuni, Yamaguchi

A wooden bridge of five arches across the Nishiki river in Iwakuni, in Yamaguchi prefecture, first built in 1673 by the local lord after floods had repeatedly swept away earlier bridges. The three central arches are wide and high, rising and falling like waves, while the two end spans are flatter and rest on the banks. It was built without nails, using interlocking joints, and stood for nearly three centuries until a typhoon destroyed it in 1950; it was rebuilt in 1953 and has been replaced in stages since, the latest around 2004. It is one of the three famous bridges of Japan. Across the river, Kikko Park occupies the grounds of the old samurai residences, and a ropeway climbs to Iwakuni Castle, a reconstructed keep on the mountain above with a view back down to the bridge. Iwakuni is also known for a shop selling over a hundred flavours of soft ice cream and for rare white snakes, protected as a natural monument, which can be seen at a small museum. Cormorant fishing takes place on summer nights. Iwakuni is a short trip from Hiroshima or Miyajima.

Iwakuni 1-chome, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, 741-0062, Japan

NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: the bridge can be crossed at any time, with tickets sold at the booths in the daytime and an honesty box or free crossing outside those hours. The ropeway runs from about 9 am to 5 pm, and the castle keep has similar hours with last entry before closing; both can stop in bad weather or for maintenance days. The bridge closes in high water after heavy rain. Cormorant fishing boats run only in summer evenings. Confirm current times before relying on them.

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