Seven Flat Arches over the Tatara River
The Najima Bridge (名島橋) is a reinforced concrete road bridge over the Tatara River of 1933 in Najima and Hakozaki, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on May 10, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a seven-span reinforced concrete arch bridge 204 metres long and 25 metres wide, with its newel posts and parapets; registration number 40-154.
Seven Arches with Classical Details
The Najima Bridge carries National Route 3 over the Tatara River in reinforced concrete (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its seven flat arches in a row make a long yet balanced profile, with classical details at key points such as semicircular pilasters with balconies and hemispheres atop the newel posts.
According to the expert report in Fukuoka City's registration materials, the work was carried out directly by Fukuoka Prefecture, begun in 1930 and completed in 1933. The flat three-centred arches have solid spandrels, and the newel posts are columns over 2.5 metres high topped by hemispheres more than 1 metre across.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes it as a large bridge that symbolises the national spread of trunk roads and the growth of modern Fukuoka, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the seven flat arches, the balconies on the semicircular pilasters and the hemispheres on the newel posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by the national government (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) and carries National Route 3 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Q&A
- When was the Najima Bridge completed?
- In 1933 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of bridge is it?
- A reinforced concrete bridge of seven flat arches.
- How big is it?
- 204 metres long and 25 metres wide.
- What are its details?
- Semicircular pilasters with balconies and hemispheres on the newel posts.
- When was the Najima Bridge registered?
- On May 10, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Najima Bridge (名島橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | Najima 2-chome to Hakozaki 7-chome, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/05/10 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Seven-span reinforced concrete arch bridge, 204 m long, 25 m wide |
| Owner | Japanese Government (MLIT) |
| Public Access | Bridge on National Route 3 |
References
- Najima Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012459
- Registration Recommendation by the Council for Cultural Affairs (Fukuoka City, March 9, 2018)
- https://bunkazai.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/files/NewsBlocks/194639ac-d6be-4e15-b508-52fc2e7ff9c8/value01/NewsParagraph383fileja.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.23