Biwajima-bridge, Steel and concrete bridge in Nagoya, Japan

Biwajima Bridge carries Aichi Prefectural Routes 67 and 190 across the Shonai River between Nagoya's Nishi Ward and Kiyosu. The current 1956 bridge has a Gerber-type steel girder span on the left bank and a reinforced concrete girder span on the right bank. Sidewalks added in 1966 have railings with two kinds of two-color paintings.

The original structure was built in 1622 during the Edo period as two separate spans divided by a river island. This design served important trade routes connecting different parts of the region.

The bridge sits where merchants have gathered for centuries to trade goods between Nagoya and surrounding areas along an old road. This historic marketplace shaped the region and left marks in local traditions.

The bridge is being rebuilt and traffic has been diverted onto a temporary bridge since 2024, so expect a different crossing than the permanent structure. The current span carries Aichi prefectural routes 67 and 190 between Nagoya's Nishi ward and Kiyosu. Check conditions before crossing, as the layout changes with the works.

The current 1956 span mixes two girder types: the left bank (west) carries a Gerber-type steel girder, the right bank (east) a reinforced concrete girder. The 1966 sidewalks added railings decorated with two kinds of two-colour paintings, a detail easy to miss while crossing.