Spanning the Daiya River in Nikko is the Shinkyo Bridge. This bridge is known as one of the three finest bridges in Japan. Its striking vermilion color and traditional design combined with the river and surrounding hills make it a very picturesque scene.

Legend has it that in 767 the priest Shodo was traveling through Nikko to climb the nearby Mount Nantai. When he reached the Daiya River the waters were too strong for him to cross. So he prayed, and the god Jinja-Daiou appeared with a red and blue snake wrapped around his arm. He took the snakes and threw them down at the river. They intertwined and formed a bridge covered in sedge, a grass plant, that allowed Shodo and his disciples to cross safely. This is why the bridge is sometimes referred to as Yamasugeno-jabashi or the Snake Bridge of Sedge.

The original bridge was first built in 808 and has been rebuilt many times after that. The bridge was rebuilt, with its current design,  in 1636 when Nikko Tosho-gu was founded. The current bridge was built in 1904 after the previous was washed away by a flood in 1902. Originally the bridge was only to be crossed by specific members of the imperial court and their messengers. Fortunately the Shinkyo Bridge is not constrained by those rules anymore and now any visitor can cross the bridge - for a fee.

The Shinkyo Bridge is part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located just across from one of the entrances to the site. It is hard to miss since it’s next to an intersection on the main road leading further up into Nikko. It can be easily seen when driving by, but it is worth getting out to get a good view of it. Like with many spots in the area, it gets busier as the day goes on and getting a clear picture without people in the shot can be tough. The best view of the bridge is from the east along the bridge from the street. Just be wary of the time of day since the sun can change the area lighting and make certain times less desirable. We preferred the morning over the afternoon for pictures.

We could definitely see why the Shinkyo Bridge is one of the three finest bridges in the country. Some of our favorite photos from the trip are of the bridge. It should be a must-see for anyone visiting Nikko.

Google Maps Link: Shinkyo Bridge