The Otagawa Bridge
The Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge (天竜浜名湖鉄道太田川橋梁) is a steel railway bridge of 1935 on the Tenryu Hamanako Railway about 400 metres east of Enshu-Mori Station in Mori-machi, Shuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 26, 2011 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a twelve-span steel girder bridge 192 metres long with its abutments and piers; registration number 22-0171.
The Longest Bridge of the First Section
The Otagawa Bridge carries the single track over the Ota River on twelve steel spans that follow a gentle curve (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The spans are plate girders; only the eastern span over the old Shinshu road is a through girder, the rest deck girders. It was the longest bridge of the line's first section.
According to the railway, the deck girders over the river were made by Nippon Kyoryo in 1934 and the through girder over the road by Kawasaki Sharyo in 1933. The bridge lies just west of Towata Station.
Why It Was Registered
It was registered under the criterion of contributing to the historic landscape of the country (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It was the longest bridge of the first section and shows deck and through girders used side by side.
What to Look For
Look for the twelve spans curving over 192 metres and the one through girder at the east end where the bridge crosses the road (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The bridge is in Mori, between Enshu-Mori and Towata stations (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Tenryu Hamanako Railway), and is in daily railway use. Tickets, fares and the turntable tour are covered on the Tenryu Hamanako Railway page. Do not enter the tracks or railway land.
Q&A
- When was the Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge built?
- In 1935 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge?
- Over the Ota River in Mori, about 400 metres east of Enshu-Mori Station.
- What should I look for?
- Twelve curving spans and the through girder at the east end.
- Can I visit the Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge?
- It is a working bridge between Enshu-Mori and Towata stations.
- When was the Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge registered?
- On January 26, 2011 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge (天竜浜名湖鉄道太田川橋梁) |
|---|---|
| Location | Mori, Mori-machi, Shuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2011/01/26 (Heisei 23) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Twelve-span steel girder bridge, 192 m long, with abutments and piers |
| Owner | Tenryu Hamanako Railway Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | In railway use (no access to the structure) |
References
- Tenryu Hamanako Railway Otagawa Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008487
- Cultural Properties along the Line (Tenryu Hamanako Railway, Japanese)
- https://www.tenhama.co.jp/spot/bunkazai/
- Enshu-Mori Station (Tenryu Hamanako Railway, Japanese)
- https://www.tenhama.co.jp/about/station/enshumori/
Last verified: 2026.10.14
