A German Truss at the Ashio Copper Mine
The Furukawa Bridge (古河橋) is a steel truss bridge of 1890 in Ashiomachi Akakura and Honzan, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on January 27, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single steel truss girder bridge with 2 abutments, 48.6 metres long and 5.2 metres wide; designation number 02603.
A Bridge for a Modernising Mine
The Furukawa Bridge was built over the Watarase River as part of the modernisation of the Ashio Copper Mine, and completed in 1890 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It is a steel truss made by the German firm of Harkort. Parts made in advance at the factory were put together on site with bolts alone, so the bridge could be erected quickly and simply (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency calls it the only almost complete survivor of the facilities built at Ashio in the first years of modernisation. Among the many bolted Harkort bridges put up in Japan, it is the oldest still standing in its original place, and it records how Japan modernised its bridge building in a short time by importing advanced techniques from several Western countries.
What to Look For
Look at how the truss is assembled from factory-made parts joined only with bolts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Nikko City (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on crossing or visiting the bridge was found.
Q&A
- When was the Furukawa Bridge built?
- It was completed in 1890 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who made it?
- The German firm of Harkort (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is it important?
- It is the only near-complete survivor of Ashio's first modern facilities, and the oldest bolted Harkort bridge still in its original place in Japan.
- Where is the Furukawa Bridge?
- Over the Watarase River in Ashiomachi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.
- When was the Furukawa Bridge designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On January 27, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Furukawa Bridge (古河橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | Ashiomachi Akakura and Honzan, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2014/01/27 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Steel single truss girder bridge, 48.6 m long, 5.2 m wide, with 2 abutments |
| Owner | Nikko City |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Furukawa Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/00004703
Last verified: 2026.10.20