A Stone Bridge over the Castle Moat
The Maizuru Bridge (舞鶴橋) is a stone arch bridge of 1886 in Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 23, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a stone arch bridge 5 metres long and 7 metres wide; registration number 06-0028.
A Stone Bridge on the Castle Moat
The Maizuru Bridge is a stone bridge over the moat of the Yonezawa Castle site, now part of the approach to Uesugi Shrine (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It is unusually wide for its span, with railings of tuff and oddly shaped natural rocks set as newel posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that, though it has a single arch, it is widely loved by the people of Yonezawa as the Megane-bashi, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the tuff railings and the natural rocks set as newel posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The bridge is owned by Yonezawa City and serves as the approach to Uesugi Shrine (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Q&A
- When was the Maizuru Bridge built?
- In 1886 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is it?
- Over the moat of Yonezawa Castle, on the approach to Uesugi Shrine.
- What is distinctive about it?
- It is wide for its span, with tuff railings and natural rocks as newel posts.
- What is its nickname?
- Megane-bashi, the Spectacles Bridge.
- When was the Maizuru Bridge registered?
- On July 23, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Maizuru Bridge (舞鶴橋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/07/23 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone arch bridge, 5 m long, 7 m wide |
| Owner | Yonezawa City |
| Public Access | On the approach to Uesugi Shrine |
References
- Maizuru Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000560
Last verified: 2026.10.19