- Location: Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko
- Phone: +81 288-54-0535
- Website: shinkyo.net
- Date of construction: Muromachi era
The island state of Japan is rich in bridges, among which there are very unusual. One of the most beautiful bridges of the country is Sinko, which is located near the town of Nikko , in Tochigi Prefecture.
The Legend of the Shinko Bridge
Shinko, or Sacred Bridge, is associated with the name of the monk Shodo. It is believed that he and his followers went to pray at Mount Nindai, but could not cross the fast river on the way. After the prayers, a deity named Jinja-Dayo, who released 2 snakes of red and blue flowers, appeared. The snakes turned into a bridge, and the monk was able to cross the river. Therefore, the bridge of Sinko is often called Yamasugeno-jiabashi, which translates as "Snake Bridge from sedge".
Features of the structure
It is believed that the original structure appeared between 1333 and 1573 (the Muromachi era). The bridge acquired its final form in 1636. In 1902, the Senkyo bridge was destroyed by the strongest flood, but was restored in its usual form.
Now the structure is a wooden structure, painted with red lacquer. The parameters of the bridge are as follows: 26.4 m - length, 7.4 m - width and 16 m - height above the river.
For a long time, the movement along the Sinko Bridge was allowed only to high-ranking individuals (the shogun, his relatives and the emperor's ambassadors). Now anyone can go for a fee here. The bridge is open for transfer from 8:00 to 17:00 in summer, and in winter from 9:00 to 16:00.
How to get there?
You can get here by bus (the journey time from the city center will take about 10 minutes) or by car at coordinates 36.753347, 139.604016.