The Old Nakasendo's Steel Crossing of the Koyama River
The Takioka Bridge (滝岡橋, Takioka-bashi) is an eight-span steel girder bridge completed in 1928 over the Koyama River between Hotta in Honjo City and Oka in Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, which in 2008 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a road bridge where the old Nakasendo highway crosses the Koyama River, 147 metres long and 7.0 metres wide, built with 60-foot plate girders. It is owned jointly by Honjo and Fukaya cities and was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
Saitama Prefecture explains that the name combines one character each from Takise, in the former Fujita village, and Oka, in the former Okabe village, the two places the river divides.
Building the Bridge
According to Saitama Prefecture, work on the Takioka Bridge began in 1919 together with improvements to the Koyama River, and it was completed in 1928.
The prefecture notes that it keeps the early form of a steel girder bridge and preserves its original appearance as a modern bridge on the old Nakasendo.
What to Look For
The Agency notes that the parapets and end posts are of dressed granite. Honjo City adds that lamps once stood on top of the end posts; look closely at the posts at either end for where they were fixed.
The abutments have curved sides faced with brick in English bond, a careful piece of work. Saitama Prefecture says the red bricks came from the Nippon Brick Manufacturing works in Fukaya. From the riverbank you can follow the courses of brick round the curve.
Visiting the Takioka Bridge
The Takioka Bridge is still a public road and can be crossed freely. Saitama Prefecture's directions follow Route 17 bypass toward Honjo past the Michi-no-Eki Okabe roadside station, turning right onto the old Nakasendo at the Oka-nishi junction and continuing about 300 metres to the bridge.
Traffic uses the bridge, so watch for vehicles when taking photographs. Enquiries about the cultural property go to the Honjo City cultural properties section on 0495-25-1186.
Q&A
- When was the Takioka Bridge built?
- Work began in 1919 with improvements to the Koyama River, and the bridge was completed in 1928.
- Where does the name Takioka come from?
- From one character each of the place names Takise and Oka.
- How long is the Takioka Bridge?
- 147 metres long and 7.0 metres wide, with eight steel girder spans.
- Where did the bricks of the Takioka Bridge come from?
- According to Saitama Prefecture, from the Nippon Brick Manufacturing works in Fukaya.
- Where is the Takioka Bridge?
- On the old Nakasendo where it crosses the Koyama River, between Honjo and Fukaya in Saitama Prefecture.
Basic Information
| Name | Takioka Bridge (滝岡橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hotta, Honjo City, to Oka, Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/3/7 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Eight-span steel girder bridge, 147 metres long, 7.0 metres wide, with parapets, abutments and piers |
| Owner | Honjo City and Fukaya City |
| Public Access | Open as a road bridge |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Takioka Bridge (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00006792
- Cultural Heritage Online: Takioka Bridge (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/119664
- Saitama Prefecture: Rediscovering Honjo-juku (Japanese)
- https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/documents/117103/honjyojyukukai2.pdf
- Fukaya City: Designated Cultural Properties (Japanese)
- https://www.city.fukaya.saitama.jp/rekishi_bunkazai/shinobunkazai/1391665872242.html
- Honjo City: Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Japanese)
- https://www.city.honjo.lg.jp/soshiki/kyoikuiinkai/bunkazai/tantoujouhou/bunkazai/1375759852044.html
Last verified: 2026.09.27