Jōan Bridge

Jōan Bridge is a steel structure crossing the Tosabori River with a length of about 70 m and width of about 12 m, featuring a longest span of around 30 m. The construction connects two districts and serves as a key traffic route over the waterway.

Built in 1929, the bridge stands at a site where a previous crossing existed connected to the region's development during the Edo period. The steel design replaced an earlier structure and marked an advancement in bridge engineering during that era.

The bridge carries the name of Yodoya Joan, a prominent merchant from the Edo period whose legacy lives on in the surrounding district known as Joan-machi. This naming preserves the memory of influential figures who shaped the local area over centuries.

The bridge is easily accessible from nearby stations: Higobashi on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line and Nakanoshima on the Keihan Line. Visiting during daylight hours allows you to see the structure and surrounding river landscape in full detail.

The structure replaced an older three-span cable bridge from 1921 that stood at the same location. This transition shows how Japanese engineers moved toward modern steel designs and continually improved crossing technology.

Location: Kita-ku

Inception: 1929

Length: 69.8 m

Longest Span: 29.7 m

Width: 12.25 m

GPS coordinates: 34.68964,135.49072

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:26