Japan City Guides: Spectacles Bridge Nagasaki

Spectacles Bridge 眼鏡橋

Meganebashi Bridge ("Spectacles Bridge") spans the Nakashima River in Nagasaki and was built in 1634 by the Chinese monk Mozi (aka Nyojo) of Kofukuji Temple. The oldest stone arch bridge in Japan, the double arches of the stone bridge resemble a pair of spectacles when reflected in the river. The bridge is dedicated as an Important Cultural Property.

Together with Tokyo's Nihonbashi Bridge and the Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni, Meganebashi is considered one of the three most famous bridges in Japan.

A number of other stone bridges also span the Nakashima River, but Meganebashi is considered the finest.

Nakashima River was an important transport route when Nagasaki served as Japan's "window on the world" when the port was the only place in Japan open to Dutch and Chinese traders during the Edo Period (1603-1868) of Japan's history.

Access - Getting to Spectacles Bridge, Nagasaki

Spectacles Bridge is a short walk from the Nigiwai Bridge stop on tramlines #4 and #5.