Former JNR Shihoro Line Jusannosawa Bridge

Near the End of the Line

The Former JNR Shihoro Line Jusannosawa Bridge (旧国鉄士幌線十三の沢橋梁) is a concrete arch bridge of 1938 in Kamishihoro, Kato District, Hokkaido, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 23, 1999 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a concrete arch bridge 58 metres long overall; registration number 01-0013.

A Stream Crossing Near the Terminus

The Former JNR Shihoro Line Jusannosawa Bridge crosses the Jusannosawa stream just above its meeting with the Otofuke River, near Tokachi-Mitsumata, the terminus of the Otofuke Line (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is the northernmost of the nine registered Shihoro Line structures.

It is 58 metres long, made of five plain (unreinforced) concrete arches of 10 metres each (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Crossing a stream rather than a river, it needed no long span.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency counts it among the Higashi-Taisetsu railway arch bridges and notes that it uses the standard 10-metre plain concrete arch. It was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.

With no wide span like those of the Third, Fifth and Sixth Otofuke River bridges, it shows the standard Shihoro Line arch at its plainest.

What to Look For

Look for the even rhythm of five identical 10-metre arches. They are plain concrete with no reinforcing bars, and the thickness of each arch ring shows it.

Visiting

Hokkaido Fan Magazine places it about a kilometre up the Jusannosawa forest road from its entrance. No official information on the condition of the road or on visits was found. This is also brown bear country, so take great care if you go in.