Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Kumamoto

Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge

Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge: 1924 Spans in Japanese Steel

A two-span steel bridge of 1924 in Asagiri, 5.4 metres long, its 6-foot I-beams made by Japan's government steelworks, a foil to the British steel at Uchikado.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Kumamoto

Two Short Spans in Home-Made Steel

The Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge (くま川鉄道崖下橋梁, Gakeshita Kyōryō) is a steel railway bridge in Menda-nishi, Asagiri Town, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture, completed in 1924 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 19 December 2014. The single-track bridge has two spans, 5.4 metres in all, and was repaired in 2013.

It lies about 2 kilometres east of Kinoe Station, where the line passes from Nishiki into Asagiri. Two short girders rest on end abutments and a central pier, with wing walls beside the abutments.

Six-Foot I-Beams from a Japanese Mill

The girders of the Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge are 6-foot I-beams to circular No. 875: single rolled steel sections used as they came from the mill, the standard way to bridge a short gap cheaply and reliably.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that these I-beams were made by Japan's government-run steelworks. The Uchikado Bridge up the line uses the same No. 875 design in an 8-foot length, but its steel was imported from the Lanarkshire Steel Company in Britain. One bridge built of imported steel, one of domestic: together they document a piece of the story of how Japanese railways came to rely on home-produced steel.

The bridge was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country.

Comparing the Two I-Beam Bridges

The Uchikado and Gakeshita bridges share a standard but differ in length and number of spans. Uchikado crosses in a single 8-foot span; Gakeshita links two 6-foot beams to cover 5.4 metres, and its central pier splits the water beneath into two openings.

The girder faces have none of the stiffener rows of a built-up plate girder. It is worth checking whether any maker's mark survives on the smooth rolled steel, though whether you can make one out depends on the paint and your viewpoint.

Visiting

The Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge is in daily service, and the track is off limits. View it from nearby roads and channels, free of charge. It lies between Kinoe and Asagiri stations, about 2 kilometres east of Kinoe; adult fares from Hitoyoshi Onsen are 380 yen to Kinoe and 430 yen to Asagiri.

At 5.4 metres it is easy to miss from the train. Stay out of fields and private land.

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

Q&A

QWhere is the Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge?: AIn Menda-nishi, Asagiri Town, between Kinoe and Asagiri stations, about 2 kilometres east of Kinoe.

QWhat kind of bridge is the Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge?: AA single-track steel girder bridge of 1924 with two spans, 5.4 metres long, using 6-foot I-beams to circular No. 875.

QWhat is special about the steel in the Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge?: AIts I-beams were made by Japan's government-run steelworks. Set beside the British steel of the Uchikado Bridge, it illustrates the move to domestic steel.

QHas the Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita Bridge been altered?: AThe national database records a repair in 2013.

QCan I take photographs of the Kumagawa Railway Gakeshita 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 Gakeshita Bridge (くま川鉄道崖下橋梁)
Location	Menda-nishi, Asagiri Town, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure), registration No. 43-0140
Year Designated	Registered 2014/12/19 (Heisei 26)
Quantity	1 structure
Dimensions	Steel 2-span girder bridge, 5.4 metres long, with abutments, pier and wing walls
Owner	Kumagawa Railway Co., Ltd.
Public Access	In railway service; no access to the track, exterior visible from nearby roads