乙姫大橋, Steel bridge in Nakatsugawa, Japan
The Otohime Bridge is a steel structure crossing the Kiso River and connecting local communities together. It combines box girder and truss elements in its construction, serving both vehicle and pedestrian traffic across the river.
The bridge opened in 1995 and initially connected Sakashita town in Gifu Prefecture with Yamaguchi village in Nagano Prefecture. Administrative restructuring in 2005 altered the jurisdictional boundaries it once spanned.
The bridge railings feature relief sculptures showing Princess Otohime, connecting to local folklore about a magical underwater palace. These artworks are visible to anyone crossing the bridge and add a layer of storytelling to the ordinary path.
The bridge offers clear views of the Kiso River and is accessible on foot throughout the day. Visitors should stay on the pedestrian path as the structure primarily serves as a local agricultural road with regular traffic.
The bridge sits about 300 meters upstream from Otohime Rock and draws inspiration from a regional retelling of the Urashima Taro tale. In this local version, the princess rescues the hero from drowning, a theme reflected in the bridge's decorative reliefs.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
