A Concrete Arch over the Kumeji Gorge
The Kumeji Bridge (久米路橋) is a reinforced concrete arch bridge of 1933 in Shinshushinmachi Minochi and Shinkomachi Yoshiwara, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 14, 2021 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-span reinforced concrete arch bridge with abutments and piers, 46 metres long and 6.5 metres wide; registration number 20-0580.
An Arch over the Gorge
The Kumeji Bridge carries a road across the Kumeji Gorge, a narrow stretch of the middle Sai River in the Shinano River system (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a single open-spandrel reinforced concrete arch with a flattened profile, 46 metres long.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes careful workmanship, such as the facing of flat-split stone on the arch ribs and the curved finish of the haunches at the ends of the vertical members, and says the bridge adds to the fine scenery of the gorge; it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the flat-split stone on the arch ribs and the curved haunches at the ends of the vertical members (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is a road bridge owned by Nagano Prefecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was the Kumeji Bridge built?
- In 1933 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of bridge is it?
- A single open-spandrel reinforced concrete arch, 46 metres long.
- What should I look for?
- The flat-split stone on the arch ribs and the curved haunches.
- Where is it?
- Over the Kumeji Gorge of the Sai River, between Shinshushinmachi Minochi and Shinkomachi Yoshiwara in Nagano City.
- When was the Kumeji Bridge registered?
- On October 14, 2021 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kumeji Bridge (久米路橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | Shinshushinmachi Minochi to Shinkomachi Yoshiwara, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2021/10/14 (Reiwa 3) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete single arch, 46 m long, 6.5 m wide, with abutments and piers |
| Owner | Nagano Prefecture |
| Public Access | Road bridge (no visiting information) |
References
- Kumeji Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00013993
Last verified: 2026.10.20