Is it just me or does the name \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b evoke images of shimmering gold. Today we’re standing before the \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b. It’s a bridge with a fascinating story.
The \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b is located in Tokyo’s Minato Ward. It spans the Furukawa River. The Furukawa River is the lower part of the Shibuya River. This bridge connects Shiba 1-chome and Hamamatsucho 2-chome.
The current \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b was built in 1971. It replaced an older structure. The bridge is 19 meters long. It has a width of 42 meters. It is a simple bridge. It is made of composite plate girders.
But what about that intriguing name. The name \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b has an interesting origin. In the Edo period a public bridge stood here. Nearby a large Japanese cedar tree shone brightly. It looked golden. That’s how the bridge got its name. Locals called it \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b. \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b translates to Gold Cedar Bridge.
Back then the area near \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b was different. The river flowed closer to Edo Bay. The bridge was about 4 kilometers from Nihonbashi. Nihonbashi was the starting point of major roads. \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b served as a landmark. It helped travelers navigate the streets.
The area around \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b has changed over time. In the Showa era the Tokyo Electric Railway ran across the bridge. There was even a \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b stop nearby. The railway line closed in 1967. Today buses serve the area. The \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b bus stop is still in use.
Beneath the bridge you can see moored boathouses. Various boats float there. It creates a unique scene.
Interestingly there is also a railway bridge called \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b. It carries the Tokaido Main Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen. This bridge is near Hamamatsucho Station.
The \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b has been depicted in art. Ando Hiroshige’s famous woodblock print “Meisho Edo Hyakkei” shows the bridge. The print captures the scenery around \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b. It shows pilgrims returning from Zojoji Temple. It also shows the view of Edo Bay.
So the next time you cross the \u91d1\u6749\u6a4b remember its history. It was once a landmark for travelers. It got its name from a glowing cedar tree. It connects Tokyo’s past and present.