Marvelous isn’t it? This is the Tokiwa Bridge. Tokyo’s oldest stone pedestrian bridge outside of a garden.
This unassuming bridge holds a captivating history. It wasn’t always stone. Originally a wooden structure it was rebuilt in stone in 1877. This was during Japan’s modernization period at the start of the Meiji era.
Imagine the horse-drawn carriages that once traversed this very path. The bridge was carefully divided into a roadway and sidewalks. This detail was faithfully reproduced during its recent restoration.
The Tokiwa Bridge has faced its challenges. Severe damage from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 required extensive renovations. These were completed in 1934. The bridge became a beloved centerpiece of Tokyo’s business district.
Then came the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The bridge was highly unstable threatening collapse. It was closed to pedestrians. A decade-long restoration project followed.
Remarkably the original positions of approximately 5000 stones were recorded. Artisans painstakingly used this information to reconstruct the bridge. To ensure future restoration Japanese paper coated the stones during reassembly. This made removal easier.
During the restoration work a surprising discovery was made. Some stones were once part of Edo Castle’s Koishikawa-mon Gate’s stone wall. Old photographs helped restore the bridge’s cutwater and arabesque handrails.
The restoration cost around 3.6 billion yen. It was delayed due to a manpower shortage. This was because workers were needed to restore Kumamoto Castle after the 2016 earthquake.
Finally on May 10 2021 the Tokiwa Bridge reopened. A beautiful example of meticulous craftsmanship. It stands as a testament to Tokyo’s rich past. It also symbolizes the enduring spirit of its people.
The bridge is part of a national historic site. This site is called the Ruins of the Tokiwabashi Gate. The area surrounding the Tokiwa Bridge is undergoing redevelopment. Soon Japan’s tallest skyscraper will stand nearby. A fitting neighbor for such a historic landmark. Isn’t it wonderful?