A Concrete Bridge with Brick Piers in Niyodogawa
The Kawaguchi Bridge (Niyodogawa) (川口橋) is a reinforced-concrete girder bridge of 1935 at Osaki, Niyodogawa Town, Agawa District, Kochi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 12, 2005. It stands in the centre of the former village, crossing the Doi River in the Niyodo river system (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a reinforced-concrete girder bridge 69 metres long and 5.4 metres wide; registration number 39-0195, owned by Niyodogawa Town.
A Bridge at the Heart of the Village
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Kawaguchi Bridge lies at the centre of the former village and serves not only as an everyday road but also as an open space where a market is held.
Niyodogawa Town also has the Kuki Bridge, a submersible bridge over the Niyodo River, among its registered cultural properties (Kochi Prefecture).
Why It Was Registered
The Kawaguchi Bridge was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs points to its finely laid Flemish-bond brick piers of varied cross-section and its geometrically designed end posts.
What to Look For
The Kawaguchi Bridge is a reinforced-concrete bridge 69 metres long, made up of six continuous girder spans (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The brick piers vary in cross-section and are laid in careful Flemish bond, and the end posts carry geometric ornament (Agency for Cultural Affairs). From the banks of the Doi River you can see this early Showa pairing of concrete girders and brick piers.
Visiting the Kawaguchi Bridge
The Kawaguchi Bridge is in daily use as a town road, and its deck also serves as a market square (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is at Osaki, Niyodogawa Town; the town has other registered bridges such as the Kuki Bridge (Kochi Prefecture).
Q&A
- When was the Kawaguchi Bridge built?
- In 1935 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How big is the Kawaguchi Bridge?
- 69 metres long and 5.4 metres wide, in six continuous spans (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is distinctive about the Kawaguchi Bridge piers?
- Brick in fine Flemish bond with varied cross-sections (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the Kawaguchi Bridge used today?
- As an everyday road and as an open space for a market (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Kawaguchi Bridge registered?
- On July 12, 2005.
Basic Information
| Name | Kawaguchi Bridge (Niyodogawa) (川口橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | Osaki, Niyodogawa Town, Agawa District, Kochi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/7/12 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Reinforced-concrete girder bridge, 69 metres long, 5.4 metres wide |
| Owner | Niyodogawa Town |
| Public Access | Open as a town road |
References
- Kawaguchi Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00004849
- Registered tangible cultural properties (Kochi Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/doc/2023062200186/
Last verified: 2026.10.09