Sanjō Ōhashi

2015

Sanjō Ōhashi (三条大橋) is a bridge in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It spans the Kamo River as part of Sanjō-dōri (三条通り Third Avenue). It is well known because it served as the ending location for journeying on both the Nakasendō and the Tōkaidō; these were two of the famous "Five Routes" for long-distance travelers during the Edo period in Japan's past.

Sanjō Ōhashi in the 1830s, as depicted by Hiroshige in The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō

History

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It is unclear when this bridge was first built, but there are records of Toyotomi Hideyoshi orders for it to be repaired in 1590,[1] as well as one of the original giboshi (擬宝珠) (onion-shaped posts that are located on bridges, shrines and temples in Japan). A historical marker on the southwest side draws attention to a cut on one of the giboshi, speculating that it was made by a sword during the Ikedaya incident (the inn was located close by).[2]

The current concrete bridge, which includes two lanes for driving and a walking path on either side, was built in 1950.

Neighboring post towns

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Nakasendō & Tōkaidō
Ōtsu-juku - Sanjō Ōhashi (ending location)

References

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Media related to Sanjō Ōhashi at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ^ Sanjō Ōhashi: Spot Jōhō Archived 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine. Central Japan Railway Company. Accessed July 17, 2007.
  2. ^ Sanjo Ohashi Bridge Giboshi Scar (Historical marker). Sanjo Ohashi Bridge: Sanjo Kobashi Shopping District Promotion Association. 2023.

35°0′32.66″N 135°46′18.25″E / 35.0090722°N 135.7717361°E / 35.0090722; 135.7717361