Owari Bridge

Owari Bridge is a steel truss structure spanning 878 meters across the Kiso River, connecting Yatomi in Aichi Prefecture with Kuwana in Mie Prefecture. The bridge contains 14 cantilever sections with a main span of approximately 63 meters and a width of about 7.5 meters.

Construction began in 1930 and was completed in 1933, replacing the former Futatsuna ferry service that had operated at this crossing. This project was part of Japan's modern infrastructure development during the early Showa period.

The opening in 1933 was marked with traditional kagura performances and rice cake distribution, showing how significant this crossing was for local communities. Such celebrations revealed the role this link played in connecting the two prefectures.

The crossing offers a direct link between the two prefectures and is accessible via roads leading to viewing areas. Visitors should be aware of potential weather conditions that could affect access, especially during the rainy season.

The structure combines different engineering approaches in its upper and lower sections, reflecting the technical innovation of the early Showa period. This design strategy was typical of how engineers experimented with new methods for bridge construction at that time.