Shinkyō (Sacred Bridge) — Nikkō
Shinkyō
Nikko Futarasan Shrine · Vermilion-lacquered wooden bridge · rebuilt 1904 · Nikkō, Japan
Photo: KimonBerlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0), taken 1 November 2013; via Flickr. Full photograph shown.
Shinkyō is the vermilion-lacquered wooden bridge over the Daiya River at the entrance to Nikkō’s shrines and temples. It belongs to Nikko Futarasan Shrine and is part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō World Heritage site. Washed away in 1902, it was rebuilt in 1904. Visit Nikko · Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) Checked
More photos
4 things to know
- Bridge of two snakesLegend says the monk Shōdō Shōnin could not cross the Daiya River until a deity appeared and turned two snakes into a bridge. Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) Reported
- Lost to a typhoonThe bridge was washed away in the Ashio Typhoon of 1902 and rebuilt in 1904. Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) · FUN! JAPAN Checked
- Off-limits until 1973For centuries it was used only for processions and officials; ordinary visitors could walk on it only from 1973. Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) · japan-guide.com Checked
- A wedding crossingThe Tochigi tourism listing says couples who marry at Futarasan Shrine can take part in a ceremonial first crossing. Tochinavi (Tochigi tourism) Reported
Check-in guide
- 📍
- Kamihatsuishimachi, Nikkō, Tochigi, at the entrance to the shrine and temple area. Tochinavi (Tochigi tourism) · Visit Nikko Checked
- 🎟️
- Walking onto the bridge costs ¥300 for adults, cash only. Visit Nikko Checked
- 🕘
- Winter hours differ between guides: 9:00–16:00 (japan-guide.com) or 9:30–15:30 (Tochinavi). japan-guide.com · Tochinavi (Tochigi tourism) Conflicting We lean to Tochinavi, the newer listing (updated 1 August 2026, against 23 January 2026). Check on the day.
Sightings
- 1982Jan
Photographed in winter
- 20131 Nov
Photographed in autumn
- 201423 Apr
Photographed in early spring
- 201928 Jun
Article on its history · FUN! JAPAN
- 202623 Jan
Visitor page updated · japan-guide.com
- 20261 Aug
Fees updated in tourism listing · Tochinavi
Green stamps are dated photographs and official records; amber stamps are news reports and visitor guides. The status stamp follows the newest dated source, 1 August 2026.
On the record
Shinkyo Bridge in Nikko: a Japanese World Heritage
“The bridge was destroyed in a flood in 1902, but was rebuilt in 1904.”
The current bridge dates from the 1904 rebuild.
The facts
- Owner
- Nikko Futarasan Shrine. Visit Nikko Checked
- Built
- 1636. Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) · FUN! JAPAN · japan-guide.com Checked
- Year (other source)
- Good Luck Trip gives 1638. Good Luck Trip Conflicting We lean to 1636, given by the government’s sign text, FUN! JAPAN and japan-guide.com.
- Destroyed and rebuilt
- Washed away in the 1902 Ashio Typhoon; rebuilt in 1904. Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT) · FUN! JAPAN Checked
- Open to the public
- Since 1973. japan-guide.com Checked
- Size
- About 28 m long and 7.4 m wide, 10.6 m above the water. FUN! JAPAN Reported
- Designation
- National Important Cultural Property. Tochinavi (Tochigi tourism) Checked
- World Heritage
- Part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō, inscribed in 1999. Visit Nikko Checked
- Fee
- ¥300 for adults, cash only. Visit Nikko Checked
Related
- Japan Doesn’t Build Boring Bridges (12 Photos): the SAU collection that includes this bridge.
All sources (9)
Official
- Visit Nikko: Shinkyo Bridge, owner, World Heritage, fee
- Japan Tourism Agency sign text (MLIT, PDF), legend, 1636, 1902 typhoon, 1904 rebuild
- Tochinavi: Shinkyō, Important Cultural Property, wedding crossing, hours
Guides
- japan-guide.com: Shinkyo Bridge, public since 1973, hours
- FUN! JAPAN, 28 June 2019, 1902 flood, 1904 rebuild, size
- Good Luck Trip: Shinkyo, 1638
Photos
- Wikimedia Commons: Shinkyo Sacred Bridge (11284693104).jpg, KimonBerlin via Flickr, 1 November 2013, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wikimedia Commons: Shinkyo Bridge @ Nikko (13992376055).jpg, Guilhem Vellut via Flickr, 23 April 2014, CC BY 2.0
- Wikimedia Commons: 013 Nikko, Jan 1982 (52347677258).jpg, wilford peloquin via Flickr, January 1982, CC BY 2.0
Artwork File · Last checked 9 November 2026 · Certainty labels follow How We Verify Art · All Artwork Files