Usui Bridge No. 3, Brick arch bridge in Matsuida-machi Sakamoto, Japan
Usui Bridge No. 3 is a red brick structure spanning the Usui River in Gunma Prefecture. Four arches support the construction, which rises 31 meters above the riverbed and uses two million individual bricks.
A British engineer designed the railway crossing in 1891 as part of the Shin'etsu Main Line, with construction finishing two years later. Reinforcement work followed just one year after completion due to stability concerns.
The name refers to its numbering within a series of bridges along the historic railway route through the mountainous region. Today the structure serves as a popular footpath where hikers and railway enthusiasts regularly visit.
A taxi from Yokokawa Station brings visitors to the site in about 15 minutes. Those arriving by car will find a small parking area holding 22 vehicles near the location.
This was the first railway bridge in Japan to receive seismic reinforcement after engineers raised concerns about earthquake safety. The early intervention shows how quickly technical understanding evolved for structures in an earthquake-prone zone.
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