About the Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge
The Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge (上毛電気鉄道渡良瀬川橋梁) is a steel railway bridge of 1928 over the Watarase River in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 2, 2007. It is the largest and longest bridge on the Jomo Electric Railway (Jomo Electric Railway).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as an eight-span steel girder bridge 157 metres long, with seven concrete piers and two abutments; registration number 10-0241, owned by the Jomo Electric Railway Co., Ltd. The railway opened between Chuo-Maebashi and Nishi-Kiryu in 1928 (Jomo Electric Railway).
Why It Was Registered
The Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a major structure of the railway linking Maebashi and Kiryu that keeps its appearance from the line's opening.
What to Look For
The Watarase River Bridge carries a single track on a deck of eight 60-foot plate girders, supported by two abutments and seven piers of reinforced concrete (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
According to the Jomo Electric Railway, it is 157.28 metres long. The piers are diamond-shaped in plan, on rectangular footings except for the oval sixth, all aligned with the current, and their lower halves have been repaired since 1928. It is the longest bridge on the line, ahead of the Momonokigawa (96.1 metres), Aratogawa (47.3 metres) and Kasukawa (42.1 metres) bridges.
Visiting the Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge
The Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge is a working railway bridge, so do not enter the track. It can be seen from nearby roads and riverbanks. It spans the Watarase River between Tsutsumi-cho and Aioi-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture.
Q&A
- When was the Watarase River Bridge built?
- In 1928 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How big is the Watarase River Bridge?
- 157 metres long, in eight steel spans on seven concrete piers and two abutments (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What shape are the Watarase River Bridge piers?
- Diamond-shaped in plan, aligned with the current (Jomo Electric Railway).
- When was the Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge registered?
- On October 2, 2007.
- Can you visit the Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge?
- It is a working railway bridge; view it from nearby roads and riverbanks.
Basic Information
| Name | Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge (上毛電気鉄道渡良瀬川橋梁) |
|---|---|
| Location | The Watarase River between Tsutsumi-cho and Aioi-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/10/2 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | An eight-span steel girder bridge 157 metres long, with seven concrete piers and two abutments |
| Owner | Jomo Electric Railway Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Working railway bridge (view from outside) |
References
- Jomo Electric Railway Watarase River Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006313
- Registered cultural properties (Jomo Electric Railway)
- https://jomorailway.com/assets.html
Last verified: 2026.10.08