Seta no Karahashi, Historic bridge in Otsu, Japan
Seta no Karahashi is a road bridge in Otsu that spans the Seta River, connecting the two halves of the city. The deck rests on concrete piers with modern railings on both sides.
In the 8th century, travelers used ferry boats for long crossings toward Kyoto at the northeastern end of Lake Biwa. The modern structure arrived at the same spot in the 20th century.
This crossing belongs to the Eight Views of Omi, a group of historic scenic motifs from the Edo period. Visitors often notice how light reflects on the river beneath the deck and changes with the seasons.
Pedestrians and cyclists can use the paths on each side continuously without crossing vehicle traffic. The paths are clearly marked and the crossing takes only a few minutes.
During war years, this bridge served as a bottleneck that every general wanted to protect. It became a symbol of military control over the region.
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