The Kintai Bridge is a historical wooden arch bridge that spans the Nishiki River in the city of Iwakuni, in the Yamaguchi Prefecture of Japan.
It was constructed in 1673 by the third lord of the Iwakuni Domain, Kikkawa Hiroyoshi, who was inspired by a book about the West Lake in China. The bridge has survived floods, wars, and typhoons and is considered one of the three great bridges in Japan. It is also a national treasure and a site of scenic beauty. The bridge was built without using any nails, only carefully fitted wood pieces.
I had the chance to photograph it centuries later. The history of these sites is crazy.
I stayed at a hotel close to the bridge in Iwakuni. It was a special night when they illuminated the bridge with blue lights for some occasion. I don’t recall the exact reason, but it was very pretty.
I have always admired this old Japanese architectural style and the history of the Kintai Bridge. To see what the bridge looks like with a wider angle lens from farther away as it spans across the river check out this photo of Kintai Kyo as it spans across the Nishiki River.
