Sagami River Bridge ruins

The Sagami River Bridge ruins are archaeological remains of a wooden structure from the Kamakura period located in Chigasaki. Ten pillars are arranged in four rows with three columns each, their spacing revealing how the original construction was laid out.

The bridge was built in 1198 by a retainer of the powerful military leader Minamoto no Yoritomo and stood as a notable structure of its time. The pillars remained buried for roughly 700 years until the 1923 earthquake caused ground shifts that exposed them to the surface.

The pillars stand as a personal tribute from a samurai who built this structure to honor his deceased wife. The site reflects how people in the Kamakura period marked significant life events through construction, blending emotion with craftsmanship.

The ruins are accessible by bus from nearby stations, with a short walk to the site itself. The location is easy to reach and the visit takes only a few minutes, making it a convenient stop during exploration of the wider area.

The site received dual recognition as both a National Historic Site and Natural Monument, marking the first documented evidence of earthquake-induced ground changes in Japanese archaeology. This unusual combination of historical and geological importance makes it scientifically valuable worldwide.