The Arched Bridge at the School Gate
The Nagasaki University Komaneki Bridge (Former Nagasaki Higher Commercial School) (長崎大学(旧長崎高等商業学校)拱橋) is a stone arch bridge of 1903 in Katafuchi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 5, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-span stone arch bridge, 17 metres long and 9.1 metres wide; registration number 42-0069.
A Stone Arch over the Nishiyama River
This arched bridge crosses the Nishiyama River, which flows north to south along the west side of the Faculty of Economics campus; it is a single-span stone arch 17 metres long and 9.1 metres wide (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Smoothly dressed stones form a segmental arch, and the deck runs in a straight line, giving it a modern look.
According to the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanations, students entered through the gate, crossed this bridge and passed the gatehouse below it; the gatehouse was moved to Glover Garden in 1976.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that it survives from the founding years of the Nagasaki Higher Commercial School, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the segmental arch of smoothly dressed stone and the straight line of the deck (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Nagasaki University and stands within the Faculty of Economics campus (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The research hall, warehouse and bridge are introduced together on the Former Nagasaki Higher Commercial School page. No official information on visiting the campus was found.
Q&A
- When was the bridge built?
- In 1903 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of bridge is it?
- A single-span stone arch 17 metres long and 9.1 metres wide.
- What river does it cross?
- The Nishiyama River, on the west side of the campus.
- How was it used?
- Students crossed it after entering the school gate (Japan Tourism Agency).
- When was the Nagasaki University Komaneki Bridge (Former Nagasaki Higher Commercial School) registered?
- On December 5, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Nagasaki University Komaneki Bridge (Former Nagasaki Higher Commercial School) (長崎大学(旧長崎高等商業学校)拱橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 4-2-1 Katafuchi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/12/05 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-span stone arch, 17 m long, 9.1 m wide |
| Owner | Nagasaki University (national university corporation) |
| Public Access | No official information on campus visits |
References
- Nagasaki University Komaneki Bridge (Former Nagasaki Higher Commercial School) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006439
- Former Nagasaki Higher Commercial School Gatehouse (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual explanation database)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/R1-00723.html
Last verified: 2026.10.22