Iwaibashi Bridge

Built in 1931, the Iwaibashi Bridge was designed to make it easier for Katsunuma’s grape growers to transport their grapes by car to Katsunuma Station. The previous suspension bridge that once stood here was suitable for horse-drawn carts, but not for cars. Hence, a new concrete bridge was built for getting the area’s precious grapes to and from the railway station more efficiently.

The bridge crosses the Hikawa River and spans 58.6 meters, with a width of 6.6 meters. Due to the uneven terrain of the canyon below, bridge piers could not be used, so a modernist arch design was chosen instead. The shape of the arches has led to the nickname Megane Bashi, meaning Spectacles Bridge. Iwaibashi Bridge has become a symbol of the Katsunuma area and of Japan’s early industrialization. Loved by locals and visitors alike, the bridge is designated an Important Cultural Property.

Today, Iwaibashi is open to pedestrians and cyclists only, while the large highway bridge nearby serves heavier vehicles. Although it may look simple by modern standards, the bridge has been preserved for its key role in supporting the local grape-growing industry. It is not only a link to the past, but an ideal vantage point to see present-day Katsunuma as well. There are still vineyards on either side of the bridge, which offers views of the river and the surrounding mountains.