Megane-bashi of Isahaya, Stone arch bridge in Isahaya Park, Japan
Megane-bashi is a stone arch bridge in Isahaya featuring two arches that span its entire length, making it one of Japan's largest double-arch stone bridges. The structure crosses the Honmyo River with carefully cut stones fitted together using traditional construction methods.
Local feudal lords commissioned the construction of this stone bridge in 1839 as an enduring structure spanning the Honmyo River. The work earned designation as the first stone bridge to receive National Important Cultural Property status in Japan, recognizing its architectural value.
The name comes from the Japanese word for eyeglasses, reflecting the shape of its two identical arches that resemble a pair of spectacles. You notice this visual parallel immediately when standing on the bridge looking down at the twin openings below.
The bridge now sits within Isahaya Park and is accessible on foot from the train station with parking available nearby. Visit during daytime hours when light best reveals the stone details and the twin arch openings.
Following severe flooding, authorities relocated the entire structure to its current position within the park while preserving its original form completely. This remarkable rescue operation demonstrates how the Japanese protected historic structures by moving them during natural disasters.
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