A Meiji Stone Arch over the Tomoe River
The Tomoe Bridge (巴橋) is a stone arch bridge of 1906 in Inuishi, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-span stone arch bridge 11 metres long and 3.0 metres wide, with the stone walls of its approach roads; registration number 12-0083.
A Stone Bridge on the Lower Tomoe River
The Tomoe Bridge is a road bridge over the lower reaches of the Tomoe River, which flows roughly east to west across southern Tateyama. It is a single stone arch built on bedrock (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The spandrels are laid in regular courses, and curving stone walls run off from both sides of the bridge (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency rates it highly as a stone arch bridge of the Meiji era surviving in the Kanto region.
What to Look For
Look for the stone arch springing from the bedrock, the coursed spandrels and the curving walls that run off both sides (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The Tomoe Bridge is a road bridge and can be seen from its surroundings. The Chiba tourism association lists it among the sights of a Tateyama walk.
Q&A
- When was the Tomoe Bridge built?
- In 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Tomoe Bridge?
- Over the lower Tomoe River in Inuishi, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture.
- What should I look for?
- The stone arch on bedrock and the curving walls on both sides.
- Can I visit the Tomoe Bridge?
- Yes; it is a road bridge visible from its surroundings.
- When was the Tomoe Bridge registered?
- On October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tomoe Bridge (巴橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | Inuishi, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/10/02 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Single-span stone arch bridge, 11 m long, 3.0 m wide, with approach walls |
| Owner | Tateyama City |
| Public Access | Road bridge (visible from surroundings) |
References
- Tomoe Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006469
- Tateyama walking guide (Chiba tourism association, Japanese)
- https://maruchiba.jp/feature/detail_443.html
Last verified: 2026.10.15