御幸橋

Have you ever seen a bridge that spans not one, but two rivers? Look no further than the Goko Bridge, right here in Kyoto. The Goko Bridge is actually two bridges in one, spanning both the Uji River and the Kamo River. It’s a popular spot for photos, and it’s easy to see why. The view from the bridge is simply stunning, especially during cherry blossom season when the trees along the riverbanks are in full bloom. The Goko Bridge wasn’t always the impressive structure you see today. The bridge you see now is actually the third iteration. The first Goko Bridge was built in 1913. It was a much simpler affair than the current bridge. This version of the Goko Bridge lasted only seventeen years, being replaced by the second iteration in 1930. The 1930 bridge featured a steel truss design and was a single lane roadway for vehicles. To accommodate the growing city, pedestrian walkways were added to the bridge in the 1970s. As Kyoto expanded and modernized, a new Goko Bridge was needed. The third and current version was built in two phases. The Uji River section opened in 2003 and the Kamo River portion was finished in 2010. This modern Goko Bridge features four lanes for traffic and spacious sidewalks for pedestrians. During the construction of the newest Goko Bridge, city planners took great care to preserve reminders of the bridge’s past. The old bridge’s ornate bridge piers were saved and moved to the current bridge. Today, these piers serve as a reminder of the Goko Bridge’s long and storied history in Kyoto!