Chikugo River Lift Bridge, Vertical-lift railway bridge in Saga, Japan
The Chikugo River Lift Bridge is a 5072-meter railway bridge with a central section that rises 23 meters to allow ship passage. The moving middle section creates an opening for vessels to pass beneath.
It was built in 1935 and served rail traffic until the Saga Railway Line ceased operations in 1987, closing the bridge to trains. After that year, it became a notable example of 20th-century engineering.
The bridge earned recognition as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2003 and was added to the Mechanical Engineering Heritage list in 2007.
The best way to view the bridge is from the riverbanks, where you can observe the moving parts in action. Plan your visit to check the scheduled lift times, as this offers the best chance to understand the structure properly.
The bridge lifts its central section eight times daily to let ships pass, making it one of few functioning lift bridges still in operation across Asia. This daily spectacle shows engineering technology brought to life.
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