Megane-bashi of Isahaya, Stone arch bridge in Isahaya Park, Japan
Megane-bashi is a double-arch stone bridge in Isahaya, Japan, and one of the largest of its kind in the country. It is built from carefully cut stones fitted together without mortar, following traditional construction methods.
The bridge was built in 1839 on the orders of local feudal lords to cross the Honmyo River. It later became the first stone bridge in Japan to receive the status of National Important Cultural Property.
The name means 'eyeglasses bridge' in Japanese, because the reflection of the two arches in the water below looks like a pair of spectacles. This effect is most visible from the riverbank when the water is still.
The bridge now sits inside Isahaya Park and is easy to reach on foot from the train station, with parking nearby. Daytime visits work best, as natural light makes it easier to see the stonework and the shape of the arches.
After severe flooding, the entire bridge was moved from its original position over the Honmyo River to its current location inside the park, stone by stone, while keeping its original form intact. It is rare for a structure this heavy to be fully relocated rather than rebuilt.
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