Shijō Bridge, Steel beam bridge in Kyoto, Japan
Shijō Bridge spans the Kamo River with two central piers, connecting the commercial districts of Gion and Kawaramachi across 65 meters. The structure is approximately 25 meters wide and provides a straightforward passage between these two busy neighborhoods.
The bridge was first constructed in 1142 through public donations during the late Heian period. After multiple reconstructions due to river floods, it received its current steel structure in 1942.
The bridge serves as a gathering point during the Gion Festival, where ritual purification ceremonies for portable shrines take place in the Kamo River below. Visitors can observe the processions and acts of reverence as this location becomes the heart of seasonal celebrations.
The bridge is closest to Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. From either station, the crossing is easily walkable and serves as a natural transition between the two busy sides of the river.
Just beside this bridge stands the historic Minami-za theater and a statue of Izumo no Okuni, who founded Kabuki theater. This proximity makes the location a significant stopping point for those interested in classical Japanese performance arts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
