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Nihombashi Bridge

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description Nihombashi Bridge Overview

Nihombashi is a stone road bridge in Tokyo's central business district, with the present structure dating from 1911. The site has served since the Edo period as the traditional reference point from which distances along Japan's principal roads are measured, and modern national highways still use it as an origin marker. The bridge crosses the Nihonbashi River and is distinguished by carved stone ornament, bronze lamps, and its enduring role in Japanese transport geography.

help Nihombashi Bridge FAQ

Why is Nihombashi Bridge considered the starting point for measuring distances in Japan?

Since the Edo period, Nihombashi has served as the traditional Kilometre Zero reference point from which distances along Japan's principal roads are measured. Even today, modern Japanese national highway mileposts are officially measured starting from this bridge in central Tokyo.

When was the current Nihombashi Bridge built, and what is it made of?

The present Nihombashi Bridge is a stone structure dating from 1911, built during the Meiji era. It replaced earlier wooden bridges at the same site, which had existed since the early 1600s when Tokugawa Ieyasu established Edo as his capital.

Which historic Japanese roads started at Nihombashi?

Nihombashi was the starting point of the Five Routes of the Edo period, including the famous Tokaido and Nakasendo roads connecting Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto. These routes formed the backbone of Japan's pre-modern road network.

Why is there an expressway on top of Nihombashi Bridge, and is there a movement to remove it?

An elevated expressway was built directly above Nihombashi in the 1960s ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, obscuring the historic bridge and blocking views of Mount Fuji that once defined the landmark. There have been ongoing civic and governmental discussions about relocating the expressway underground to restore the bridge's original setting.

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