Ō-Aga Bridge

The Ō-Aga Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Shinano River in Niigata, built from reinforced concrete with six arched structures. The structure is finished with granite cladding and carries National Route 7 traffic with two lanes in each direction along with pedestrian walkways.

The current structure was built in 1929 and replaced earlier wooden versions, with the history of this crossing dating back to 1886. The predecessor was Japan's longest bridge at that time and stood for several decades before the new arched bridge was constructed.

The bridge serves as a connection point between two busy shopping neighborhoods and is part of the city's daily life. Residents and visitors pass through it constantly, making it an integrated part of how people navigate the urban area.

The bridge is located between the Furumachi and Honcho shopping districts and is easy to reach on foot. Traffic is active during daytime hours, so it is quieter to explore the bridge in early morning or evening times.

The bridge received the designation of Important Cultural Property in 2004, making it the second national highway bridge to receive this honor after Tokyo's Nihonbashi. This recognition acknowledges its importance in Japanese engineering history and its enduring construction.

Location: Niigata

GPS coordinates: 37.87889,139.16417

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46