Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Kumamoto

Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge

Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge: Six Spans on Oval Piers

A six-span steel bridge of 1923 in Nishiki, 62 metres long, with 30-foot deck plate girders on oval concrete-block piers, 150 metres from its round-piered twin.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Kumamoto

Six Spans on Oval Piers

The Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge (くま川鉄道第二高柱川橋梁, Dai-ni Kōbashiragawa Kyōryō) is a steel railway bridge in Nishi, Nishiki Town, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture, completed in 1923 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 19 December 2014. The single-track bridge has six steel spans and is 62 metres long, 150 metres east of the First Kobashiragawa Bridge.

The six girders rest on two abutments and five piers. Among the registered bridges on the line, only the 75-metre Mendagawa Bridge is longer.

Same Girders, Different Piers

Like its neighbour, the bridge uses 30-foot deck plate girders to circular No. 540. The railway authorities kept a standard design for every length and load, and here the same type is used four times over at one crossing and six times at the next.

The difference lies below. The piers of the Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge are oval, built up in concrete block. An elongated section aligned with the current cuts drag, a clear contrast with the round piers of the First Kobashiragawa Bridge. Wing walls on either side of the abutments hold back the embankment. The bridge was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country.

Reading the Length

This is one of the easiest places on the line to feel a run of girders. Five piers march across the stream, carrying six plate girders without a break. With a slender single-track deck, a train crossing seen from the side makes the relationship between train and bridge length very clear.

The oval piers read better from an angle than head-on. Try comparing them with the round piers of the First Kobashiragawa Bridge from a few different viewpoints.

Visiting

The Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge is in daily service and the track is off limits. View it from nearby roads and the riverside, at no charge. The nearest station is Higo-Nishinomura, 250 yen from Hitoyoshi Onsen for adults. The First Kobashiragawa Bridge is only 150 metres away, so see them together.

Watch the water level near the river, and stay out of fields and private land.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Kumamoto: Find tours, activities & transport passes near Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge; [ Kumamoto Castle & Mt. Aso Volcano Tours ]

Q&A

QWhere is the Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge and what is the nearest station?: AIt is in Minogeta, Nishi, Nishiki Town, 150 metres east of the First Kobashiragawa Bridge. The nearest station is Higo-Nishinomura.

QWhat kind of bridge is the Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge?: AA single-track steel girder bridge of 1923 with six spans, 62 metres long, using 30-foot deck plate girders to circular No. 540.

QHow does the Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge differ from the first?: AThe girders are the same type, but its piers are oval rather than round, and it has six spans instead of four.

QCan visitors see the Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge?: AYes, from nearby roads and the riverside, free of charge. The track itself is closed to the public.

QCan I take photographs of the Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge?: ANo specific restriction on photography from public roads and other permitted places has been announced. Do not enter the track, fields or private land. Commercial filming and press coverage go through the Kumagawa Railway's filming and coverage request page.

Basic Information

Name	Kumagawa Railway Second Kobashiragawa Bridge (くま川鉄道第二高柱川橋梁)
Location	Minogeta, Nishi, Nishiki Town, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure), registration No. 43-0136
Year Designated	Registered 2014/12/19 (Heisei 26)
Quantity	1 structure
Dimensions	Steel 6-span girder bridge, 62 metres long, with abutments, piers and wing walls
Owner	Kumagawa Railway Co., Ltd.
Public Access	In railway service; no access to the track, exterior visible from nearby roads