1. What Is a Bridge, and Is It Only for Crossing?
When you stand on a bridge, a river flows beneath your feet. A bridge is a structure that carries people and vehicles to the other side while transferring their weight to the ground through supports called abutments and piers. [2]
Bridges come in different shapes. There are simple girder bridges, which just lay a beam across the gap; arch bridges, which use an upward curve to support weight; and suspension bridges, which hang a deck from cables attached to towers. The choice of shape depends on the width of the river, the height needed, the flow of water, and the cost, so no single type is the best for every situation. [2]
However, bridges in towns did more than just help people cross. Looking at three bridges from Edo shows that they also served as starting points for roads, centers for markets, and spaces for public gatherings.
2. Nihonbashi: The Starting Point of Edo's Five Major Highways
Nihonbashi was the starting point for the five major highways of Edo, including the Tokaido. From this bridge, stone markers called *ichirizuka* were placed to measure distance, making the bridge the origin point for counting miles. [3]
The exact date the bridge was first built is unclear, but it is said to have been completed in 1603. Since then, records show it was rebuilt nearly 20 times, changing from a wooden bridge to the stone bridge seen today. [4]
The current stone arch bridge was rebuilt on April 3, 1911, and was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 1999. [4] In the center of the bridge stands the National Road Zero Mile Marker, a sign showing where the roads begin. Even today, standing on the bridge lets you see with your own eyes that this was the start of the road network.
3. How Nihonbashi Gained a Fish Market and Busy Boat Traffic
What happens when people gather at the start of a road? Near Nihonbashi, in the areas of Honfuna-cho and Hon-Odawara-cho, a fish market called the *Uogashi* developed. It played a key role in supplying fish to the government and became the center for fish trading in Edo. [3] This market later moved to Tsukiji after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
The area around Nihonbashi was the heart of the lower town, crowded with government offices, large shops, and people from all over the country. [5] So, the area around the bridge was not just a road starting point, but a busy place for trade and people.
There was also a flow of people and goods under the bridge. The current Nihonbashi has high abutments to allow boats to pass underneath, giving it an arch shape. The top of the bridge was for people on foot, while the bottom was a path for boats.
4. Senju Ohashi: How a Bridge Led to a Rest Stop Town
Senju Ohashi, which crosses the Sumida River, was started in 1593 on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu and completed the following year, in 1594. [6]
Later, this bridge became part of the routes for the Oshu and Nikko highways. A rest stop for travelers, called Senju-shuku, was established on the north bank of the bridge. [6]
Notice the order of events: the bridge was built, then roads were routed through it, and finally, a rest stop was placed nearby. Unlike Nihonbashi, which was the starting point, Senju Ohashi shows how a bridge, a highway, and a rest stop can be linked together. A bridge can also be a place that connects roads and towns.
5. Ryogoku Bridge: From Firebreak to Summer Festival Spot
Ryogoku Bridge was built in 1659 after the Great Fire of Meireki. [1] It was originally called Ohashi, or sometimes Nishu Bridge because the Sumida River marked the border between Musashi and Shimosa provinces, before being renamed Ryogoku Bridge.
Open spaces called *hirokoji* were created on both sides of the bridge. These were designated as firebreaks to stop fires from spreading. However, these empty spaces became one of the liveliest entertainment areas in Edo. [1]
This means the same place served two purposes: it was an empty zone to prevent fires, and it was a crowded spot for people to gather. The strange overlap of a "no-building zone" and a "busy gathering place" is a key feature of the area around Ryogoku Bridge.
In summer, the river opening ceremony was held on May 28. Until August 28, fireworks were launched to entertain the people of Edo. [1] So, the area by the bridge was both a safety zone against fire and a summer night plaza.
6. Do Bridges in Japan Today Have Similar Roles?
According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there are about 700,000 road bridges (2 meters or longer) across Japan, and more than 70% of them are on municipal roads. [7] Note that total numbers can vary slightly depending on the source, so this is an approximate figure.
Famous bridges like Nihonbashi and Ryogoku are just a small part of the total. Most bridges are close to home, on local streets. Each of these bridges might have its own role: connecting roads, gathering people, or marking the entrance to a town. The roles found depend on the specific bridge. The three bridges of Edo serve as a guide to help us find these roles in our own neighborhoods.
7. Try This: Look at the Ends of a Bridge Near You
Choose one bridge near your home and walk to both ends. Look for shops, parks, bus stops, or road signs. Think about what role these things play for the bridge. Be careful of cars and the riverbank. [1]
Look for the nameplate of the bridge and talk with your family about where the name comes from. Observe what flows under the bridge or what passes through it. [1]
Local city or town websites and library local history sections may have information about bridge origins. The National Diet Library’s "Japanese Landmarks through Woodblock Prints and Photos" also features pictures of Nihonbashi and Ryogoku Bridge. [3]