A Rare Timber Strut-Frame Road Bridge
The Hanamine Bridge (花峯橋) is a timber strut-frame bridge over a canal of 1929 in Sonoda, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 17, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber strut-frame bridge 27 metres long and 6.1 metres wide, altered around 1950; registration number 45-0013.
Timber Legs Spread at 45 Degrees
The Hanamine Bridge is a timber strut-frame bridge 27 metres long, with spans of about 9 metres, over the upper part of a historic canal in Nichinan (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its abutments are of coursed stone.
From two concrete pier footings, timber legs spread out to either side at about 45 degrees, seen from the side, to support the main girders (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that it is one of the few surviving road bridges of timber strut-frame type, and registered it as a structure that would not be easy to reproduce.
What to Look For
Look for the timber legs spreading at about 45 degrees and the coursed-stone abutments (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Nichinan City (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the Hanamine Bridge built?
- In 1929, with alterations around 1950 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is it?
- Over the upper part of a historic canal in Nichinan, Miyazaki.
- What is a strut-frame bridge?
- One whose girders rest on legs set at an angle; here they spread at about 45 degrees.
- Why is it valued?
- It is one of the few surviving timber strut-frame road bridges.
- When was the Hanamine Bridge registered?
- On February 17, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Hanamine Bridge (花峯橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3 Sonoda, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2004/02/17 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Timber strut-frame bridge, 27 m long, 6.1 m wide |
| Owner | Nichinan City |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Hanamine Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003933
Last verified: 2026.10.19