Didn’t you know that the story of \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b is one of innovation and transformation? It mirrors Osaka’s journey through time.
The area around \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b was once part of the old Ajigawa river mouth. The area caused frequent flooding. Sediment made boat transport difficult. To improve things, local leader Kawamura Zuiken was tasked to dig a new waterway in 1684.
The new waterway was named the Ajigawa River. Fourteen years later in 1698 the new \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b opened.
The \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b was approximately 78 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. Old drawings show it was a curved bridge. This design wasn’t for looks alone. The height allowed boats to pass underneath. However larger ships still had issues. They had to anchor downstream.
Local residents were responsible for repairs. Despite this the \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b became a landmark.
In 1873 a new \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b was built. This one was special. It had a rotating section. Western technology made this possible. The central part could turn 90 degrees. This allowed ships to pass through.
People called it the “Magnetic Stone Bridge”. It became famous throughout Osaka. The \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b was Japan’s first rotating bridge.
But its life was short. In 1885 a major flood devastated Osaka. The \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b held firm against debris. However officials worried about flooding so they decided to destroy it to prevent further disasters.
Dynamite was used to demolish the \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b. A temporary bridge was built two weeks later.
The Ajigawa River eventually disappeared from maps in the early 1900s. A riverbed tunnel was built to replace the bridge. Construction started as part of a city project. It took about ten years.
The Ajigawa River Tunnel opened in 1944. This pedestrian tunnel is 80.6 meters long. It connects Konohana and Nishi wards. The tunnel used a new method. Sections were built on land then sunk into place.
The tunnel had separate elevators for pedestrians and cars. In 1961 it was used daily by 8500 pedestrians 4600 bicycles and 1200 cars.
Later the Anjigawa Bridge opened. Car traffic decreased. Ventilation became a problem in the tunnel. In 1977 car traffic was stopped. Today only pedestrians and bicycles use the tunnel.
The elevators still operate. Many people say “arigato” to the staff when they get off. If this tunnel did not exist people would have to take a long detour.
Today you will find the entrance at Kujo Station. It is part of the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. You can also walk from Nishi-Kujo Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.
So the \u5b89\u6cbb\u5ddd\u5927\u6a4b is now a tunnel. It shows Osaka’s history of water transport. It also shows the city’s innovation. It was always adapting to meet the needs of its people.