The Kintaikyo Bridge, located in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is one of Japan’s three major bridges.
It is a world-renowned bridge with graceful beauty and dignity.
It’s not just beautiful.
It is a bridge that brings together the excellence of the history of suffering and the techniques that have been handed down.
Currently, activities for World Heritage registration are ongoing
It’s a waste just watching.
Let’s make a journey with an eye to the time of construction.
It is Kintaikyo Bridge that can be enjoyed even more when you know about history.
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History of Kintaikyo Bridge and Iwakuni Castle at birth
The Yoshikawa family of the Mori family became the first landlord of 30,000 rocks in Iwakuni in 1600.
It was after Sekigahara’s war.
Iwakuni Castle was built in Yokoyama, using the curved Nishiki River as a natural outer moat.
It is a rare mountain castle in this era.
In 1615, seven years after the castle was built, it was completely destroyed by the “Order“.
As a result, a government agency must be established in a small area, and the town spread to both sides of the river.
Only a ferryboat crosses the river.
It was necessary to construct a bridge.
The bridge was built many times.
The bridge piers are washed away each time by heavy rain falls.
In the era of the third-generation leader, Hiroka, an arch bridge without a bridge pier was devised.
Ten years after the concept, the Kintaikyo Bridge was finally completed.
This is October 1, 1673.
The photo shows the Kintaikyo Bridge and Iwakuni Castle on the mountain.
This scene was not seen when the Kintaikyo Bridge was built.
People at the time would see this scenery in tears.
(The Iwakuni Castle tower at the time of the castle construction is in a different position from the present, so you can not see the castle tower from this place)
Highly advanced technologies that support the Kintaikyo Bridge
The Kintaikyo Bridge was finally completed in 1673, but it was also washed away by the flood of the following year.
The cause was found to be insufficient paving stones, and the next year the construction was carried out again.
Over the next 276 years, until the typhoon struck in 1934, a bridge was completed that would not be washed away.
This is a symbol of the feudal domain and the “Kintaikyo Bridge,” a bridge that serves as a foundation for the hearts and minds of the feudal lords.
The wooden bridge was built with a great deal of wisdom and technology.
Looking down, you can see the secret of strength.
The river flows through the Ishigaki, which is located on the pier of the bridge.
Several types of lumber, such as pine and Keyaki, are used in the right place.
Technologies for iron bands and nail windings to increase the strength of columns.
Repair and replacement work are carried out more than 100 times.
It is said that the technology has been conveyed by word of mouth.
Despite the drawings, it seemed a realistic way to communicate the technology verbally.
The technology has been passed on to the modern age, and it has also been utilized in the replacement work in 2004.
The Iwakuni Domain’s will to the daimyo
The completed bridge seems to have been called the Iwakuni Bridge.
For the Iwakuni Domain, which had no castle, it is thought that the bridge played the role of the castle gate.
Only vassals could pass.
However, there are times when passing under the sleeve is sometimes acquitted.
People from other domains, such as the daimyo line, may pass through the bridge.
When passing in front of the palace, it was common to courteously “defeat the spear without standing up.”
Although recognized by the Shogunate, the Iwakuni Domain was not granted official rank and was not an official daimyo.
It is said that his dignity was low and that some daimyo passed without spear. In this case, the clan’s memos are rounded.
So one plan was planted: the Pine of the Spear-falling (the Koshi-no-Matsu)…
The pine trees get in the way, so you cannot cross the bridge without defeating the spear.
It is an anecdote where you can feel the meaning of the Iwakuni Domain.
Scenery that can be enjoyed at any time
The scenery coloring the Kintaikyo Bridge is truly beautiful.
The silhouette of Kintaikyo Bridge is comparable to any beautiful scenery around.
It’s truely Japan’s world-class tourist spot.
Cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green and cormorant in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.
Not just the season.
The morning when the mountains haze in the fog is also good.
Both the evening scene and the illuminated night scene are beautiful.
Even on rainy days, the atmosphere can be felt.
There will not be many tourist destinations that can be visited at any time.
Ukai at the Kintaikyo Bridge, which we would like to see at once
A number of events are held at Kintaikyo Bridge.
The main event is the Kintaikyo Bridge Festival, which is held on April 29 (Showa Day).
Around 2:00 p.m., a grand procession and a slave center crossed the Kintaikyo Bridge.
The fireworks festival held on the first Saturday of August is also popular.
For more information on other events, please visit the official website.
Of particular note is the summer tradition of Ukai at Kintaikyo Bridge.
It has a history of about 400 years.
Many people would like to see them from the sightseeing boat once.
The scene of a Ukai-boat’s glittering flame shook fantastically remains unchanged from time to time.
Kintaikyo Bridge and its vicinity are attractive spots for fun.
In Kintaikyo Bridge alone, many people stay less than 30 minutes.
It may be a good way to tour on a bus tour, but it’s a motainai.
There are also local dishes such as Iwakuni Castle, Yoshika Park, old streets and Iwakuni sushi.
It is a tourist spot where you can stay for more than half a day.
One way of enjoying the journey is to look at the changing landscape of the Kintaikyo Bridge on the riverside.
It is recommended that you visit the Kintaikyo Bridge with a little leeway.
