Saruhashi Bridge
Saruhashi Bridge is a bridge that spans the Katsura River in Saruhashi, Saruhashi-cho, Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
Saruhashi Bridge has been familiar to many people since the Edo period, and its appearance is depicted in Hiroshige Utagawa’s “Koyo Saruhashi no Zu” and Ikku Jukkasha’s “Shokudochu Kinnokusasashi.” Additionally, in 1932 (Showa 7), it was designated as a national scenic spot.
- Business hours
- 24 hours
- Regular holidays
- None
- Admission fee
- Free
- Parking lot
- There is a parking lot next to Saruhashi. Possible to park several cars
- Nearest station
- 5 minutes walk from JR Chuo Line Saruhashi Station
- Location
- Saruhashi-cho, Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture 409-0614
Kai no Saruhashi Bridge - Otsuki City Tourism Association
No piers. Truly a strange bridge
Saruhashi Bridge is a wooden bridge that is 31m long, 3.3m wide, and 31m high. It does not use any piers and is supported by four tiers of springboards extending from both banks. This unusual structure is said to be inspired by the way monkeys used to build bridges in a bow-like manner to cross the valley because the valley was deep and piers could not be built.
Because of this unusual structure, Saruhashi Bridge is counted as one of the three most unique bridges in Japan.
The deep and beautiful valley of the Katsura River
Saruhashi Bridge is a bridge that spans the deep and beautiful valley of the Katsura River. The view of the valley overlooking from Saruhashi Bridge is deep and beautiful, making it look like a painting. It is also recommended to view the clear stream of the Katsura River from the top of the bridge.
The bridge that can be seen right next to Saruhashi is called “Shin Saruhashi Bridge”. This is a bridge for vehicular traffic, and now it is mainly used for daily life.
Yatsuzawa Power Plant Facility No. 1 Aqueduct Bridge
Next to Saruhashi Bridge is the Yatsuzawa Power Plant Facility No. 1 Aqueduct Bridge, which is a nationally designated important cultural property.
Built in 1912, it is Japan’s largest reinforced concrete single arch bridge.
The Yatsuzawa Power Plant facility is a hydroelectric power plant facility along the Katsura River that straddles Otsuki City and Uenohara City, Yamanashi Prefecture. It was completed in 1914 and is known as Japan’s first full-scale hydroelectric power plant facility.
The first waterway bridge was built to cross the waterway from the Yatsuzawa Power Plant to the Ono Reservoir. It is a single arch bridge with a total length of 42.7m and an arch diameter of 30m, achieving a large span length at the time. In addition, the arch is decorated with sawtooth-like decorations, making it highly decorative.
The first aqueduct bridge has an important value in the history of civil engineering technology. As one of the first reinforced concrete bridges, the technology that made it possible to achieve such a large span length was revolutionary at the time. Additionally, the decorations on the arches are considered to symbolize the progress of modernization.
The first aqueduct bridge is a valuable tourist spot where you can experience the history and technology of hydroelectric power plants.
- Yatsuzawa Power Plant Facility No. 1 Aqueduct Bridge - Japanese Cultural Heritage Online
- Yatsuzawa Power Plant Facility No. 1 Aqueduct Bridge - Otsuki City Tourism Association
Japan’s three most unique bridges “Saruhashi Bridge”
Saruhashi Bridge has a beautiful surrounding scenery, and in autumn, the maples, maple trees, and ginkgo trees change color, making it even more beautiful.
Saruhashi Bridge is a bridge that has been loved by many people since the Edo period. There are also facilities around the bridge that have materials and exhibits related to Saruhashi.
Be sure to visit Saruhashi Bridge, one of Japan’s three most unique bridges.
