Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge, Spiral bridge in Kawazu, Japan
Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge is a spiral structure on National Route 414 in Kawazu, Japan, forming two complete circles. The construction has a diameter of 80 meters and a total length of 1064 meters, winding through the Amagi mountain terrain.
Construction took place in 1981 following the Izu-Oshima earthquake of 1978, which triggered landslides and damage to the original mountain road. The spiral solution allowed safe restoration of the route through the difficult terrain.
The name Kawazu-Nanadaru comes from the seven waterfalls nearby, while the loop itself has become a popular subject for photographers. Drivers often slow down to experience the unusual form as they wind through the curves.
A parking area beneath the structure offers space for 25 vehicles, with a view of the construction from below. The drive from Numazu Interchange takes about 75 minutes by car.
The construction manages a 45-meter (148-foot) elevation change through its double loop form, which is rare among Japanese mountain roads. For its technical design in overcoming the difficult terrain, it received the Tanaka Prize from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers.
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