Kintai Bridge is the Japanese bridge formed by five wooden arches spanning the Nishiki River in Iwakuni.
The bridge was first completed in 1673 during Japan’s Edo period. Its five elegant arches connect the riverbanks beneath Iwakuni Castle, which stands on a hill above the crossing. The design was intended to provide a durable crossing where earlier flat bridges had been vulnerable to flooding.
The central arches rest on substantial stone piers, while the wooden arch ribs and roadway create the bridge’s distinctive rhythm. The name Kintai means “sash” or “belt,” reflecting the bridge’s appearance across the river.
The bridge has been repeatedly repaired and reconstructed, including a major rebuilding after flood damage soon after its original completion. It is a historic landmark, not a modern high-capacity road bridge, and should not be confused with Tokyo’s Nihonbashi.