Kintai Bridge

Kintaikyō Bridge (錦帯橋) is a five-arch wooden bridge spanning the Nishiki River in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Renowned as one of Japan’s Three Famous Bridges and also one of the Three Unusual Bridges of Japan, it has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. During the feudal era, historical records often referred to it simply as the “Ōhashi” (Great Bridge), while other names included “Ryōunbashi” (Bridge Soaring Among Clouds), “Goryūbashi” (Bridge of Five Dragons), “Taiunbashi” (Bridge Draped in Clouds), and “Sorobanbashi” (Abacus Bridge). The graceful name “Kintaikyō” is believed to have gradually become established after the bridge’s completion. The earliest documented use of the name appears in writings by Utsunomiya Ton’an.

The bridge consists of five connected wooden arches, with a total length of 193.3 meters and a width of 5.0 meters. Its primary structure is built entirely with traditional joinery techniques, without the use of nails. The wooden arches rest on stone piers, creating a rhythm of five drum-shaped curves. Its elegant form and rarity have made it world-famous as a masterpiece of wooden arch bridge construction. The smooth curve of the arches was achieved not only through sophisticated woodworking techniques but also through the effective use of iron reinforcements.

According to tradition, the design was inspired by the series of bridges along the embankments of West Lake in Hangzhou, China, and the bridge was completed in 1673. In 2004, Kintaikyō was officially twinned with a “Kintaikyō Bridge” in West Lake, symbolized by a monument on the riverbank.

Together with the adjacent Kikkō Park, Kintaikyō has also been selected as one of the 100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan, attracting large numbers of visitors in spring.