福島橋

Fukushima Bridge spans across the Suketo River in Tokushima, connecting the districts of Shinzo-cho and Fukushima with a three-span continuous girder structure. The design features a gentle curve that follows the natural bend of the river below.

The bridge was first built in 1636 as a wooden structure during the early modern period. It underwent major reconstruction in 1878 and later received a concrete girder design in 1961 that forms the basis of the current structure.

The bridge carries local meaning connected to a legend about a pilgrim whose ritual sacrifice was believed to protect the structure from floods. This story has become part of how people in the area understand and remember the crossing.

The bridge offers clearly marked pedestrian paths on both sides, making it straightforward to cross on foot. The modern concrete structure provides sturdy footing and good visibility along the entire span.

The bridge includes an intentional curve in its path that was designed to avoid a particular sacred location. This deliberate design choice reflects how local beliefs influenced the engineering decisions during construction.