Kintaikyo, located in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a beautiful wooden bridge representing Japan. It’s considered one of the three most famous bridges in Japan, and as its name suggests, it adorns the river surface like a beautiful brocade sash. It was built in 1673, but was washed away by a typhoon in 1945, and was rebuilt to its current form in 1953 due to the strong wishes from the citizens. The bridge is approximately 193m long and 5m wide, and its beautiful figure harmonizes with the scenery of each season.

In spring, Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, in summer the river is bustling with ayu fishing by cormorants, in autumn there are blazing autumn leaves, and in winter there is a quiet snowscape… Kintaikyo standing in the beauty of each season is a magnificent sight that blends with the surrounding nature whenever you visit. When the sun goes down, the illuminated Kintaikyo emerges fantastically. The illumination program varies depending on the season, but it may be colorfully lit up or linked to the surrounding cherry blossoms.

Moreover, Kintaikyo is also important for its historical value. This bridge has survived many natural disasters through the age of war and has maintained its form to this day.Its appearance symbolizes the perseverance, technical ability, and aesthetic sense of the Japanese people. Today’s Kintaikyo Bridge is made of wood that increases in strength as pressure is applied from above, and it continues to support and fascinate visitors. To experience the greatness of Kintaikyo, it is recommended to view the bridge from the back, and the geometric joinery technique seen up close is a sight to behold.

Kintaikyo was built as part of Iwakuni Castle, which continues to the main enclosure after climbing the stone steps, and from the castle tower towering above the mountain, you can see the beautiful five-arch structure over the Nishiki River. You can take a ropeway from a location 5 minutes’ walk across Kintaikyo to Iwakuni Castle. Iwakuni Castle, built by the first lord of Iwakuni Clan, Hiroie Kikkawa, in 1608, is a mountain castle with the Nishiki River as a natural outer moat. The existing castle was rebuilt in 1962. The castle tower serves as an observatory, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Seto Inland Sea.

About 350 years since its founding, Kintaikyo has fascinated many people. During the Edo period, Hiroshige Utagawa and Katsushika Hokusai painted pictures of it. Also, it is said that Atsuhime, who married into the Tokugawa shogun family, purposely crossed the bridge on her way to Edo. Please come and see the unchanging beauty of Kintaikyo along with the scenery of each season.

Access
1 Iwakuni, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 741-0062
Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Shin-Iwakuni Station.
Approximately 20 minutes by bus from JR Iwakuni Station.