The Last Bridge Before the Terminus
Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge (若桜鉄道若桜川橋梁, Wakasa-gawa) is a 9.1-metre single-span steel girder bridge in Wakasa, Wakasa Town, Tottori Prefecture; its girder, made around the Taishō era, was modified and moved here in 1930, and the bridge was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 8 July 2008.
It sits 700 metres west of Wakasa Station, the last crossing before the end of the line and the shortest of the six registered bridges. Both the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the railway place it over the lowest reach of the Mikura River, a tributary of the Hattō.
It is a single-track deck bridge with one girder: a 30-foot plate girder.
Why It Was Registered
The registration cites its contribution to the historic landscape. The girder is described as the Tatsu 680 standard type set by a 1909 directive, altered for the Wakasa Line's opening and reinstalled here. The big Hattō River bridges were built new with the later Tatsu 540 design of 1919, so Wakasa River Bridge lets you compare two generations of standard girder on the same line.
The abutments earn their own mention. They are faced with granite kenchi stones laid in level courses, work the Agency describes as finely built. Small bridge, careful masonry.
What to Look For
With only one girder, Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge draws the eye to its abutments. Kenchi stones have a squared face and taper toward the back; laid face to face they make a crisp, even wall, and the pale granite sets off the dark steel above.
The 30-foot girder is tiny next to the spans of the Hattō River crossings. Seeing both on the same trip shows how the line scaled its bridges to each stream.
Visiting
The bridge is in service, and the deck and track are closed. It lies about 700 metres west of Wakasa Station, close enough to walk out and view it from the surroundings. By train you cross it just before arriving at Wakasa or shortly after departing.
Keep well back from the rails and off private land when taking photographs. Travel to the line is covered on the Wakasa Railway page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Tottori
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge
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Q&A
- How big is Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge?
- It is 9.1 metres long with a single 30-foot plate girder, the shortest of the six registered bridges on the Wakasa Railway.
- How old is the girder of Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge?
- It was made around the Taishō era and modified and moved here in 1930. It is described as the Tatsu 680 standard type set by a 1909 directive.
- Which river does Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge cross?
- Both the Agency for Cultural Affairs database and the railway place it over the lowest reach of the Mikura River, a tributary of the Hattō.
- Can I walk to Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge from Wakasa Station?
- Yes, it is about 700 metres west of the station and can be viewed from the surroundings. The deck and track are off limits.
- What is special about the Wakasa River bridge abutments?
- They are faced with granite kenchi stones laid in level courses, a neat piece of masonry that contrasts with the dark steel girder.
Basic Information
| Name | Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge |
|---|---|
| Location | Wakasa, Wakasa Town, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/7/8 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Bridge length 9.1 metres (single-span steel girder bridge; 30-foot girder; concrete abutments and piers) |
| Owner | Wakasa Town |
| Public Access | No access to the track or bridge deck; seen from passing trains and from nearby roads and riverbanks |
References
- Wakasa Railway Wakasa River Bridge (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties, Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007295
- Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Wakasa Railway Co., Japanese)
- https://wakatetsu.co.jp/bunkazai
- Wakasa Railway as modern industrial heritage (Yazu Town Tourism Association, Japanese)
- https://yazukanko.jp/feature/wakasarailroad/
- Wakasa Railway: 23 registered properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Heritage portal, Japanese)
- https://japan-heritage.bunka.go.jp/ja/culturalproperties/result/4487/
Last verified: 2026.09.26
