The Kozuya Bridge (official name) lies to the south of Kyoto City. The characteristic of the bridge is revealed prominently at the popular name “Nagare Bashi”, or “Flowing Bridge”. The wooden girders with 8 spans will become afloat off the piers when the water level of the Kizugawa River goes up due to the heavy rains. The girders won’t be washed further away because they are attached to the piers with wire ropes. After the water level goes down, the detached girders will be replaced on the piers again. This is how the serious damage to the bridge can be avoided. The bridge was built in 1953 and its girders have been washed away and replaced more than 20 times up to now. The bridge is the longest extant wooden bridge (365.5 meters long and 3.3 meters wide) in Japan. There are few buildings and electric wires/poles around the bridge. Film and TV crew sometimes come to shoot a Samurai drama set in a traditional Japanese landscape on and around the bridge. The bridge is used for the spot of period costume events in cooperation with Toei Studios Kyoto every once in a while. Each participant dresses up in costumes of their favorite historical figures. Unfortunately the girders were washed away by typhoon No.21 on October 22nd. I hope the bridge will reopen and become possible to film a Samurai drama soon. We can get there from Keihan Railway Line Yawatashi-Station by rental bicycle or public bus. The tourist information office and rental bicycle shop are in front of the station. The bicycle path on the bank of the river leads you to the bridge (some 5 kilometers between the station and the bridge). Keihan bus also takes you to the bridge in some 20 minutes. The exchange plaza Shikisaikan, which consists of a restaurant, a farmer’s market, a public bath, and meeting rooms, is at the western edge of the bridge. You can get more information and refresh yourself at the plaza.

This bridge is nothing more than the longest wooden bridge in Japan. The bridge slads can be floated if the river is flooded. Quite a few movies have been shot here because of traditional Japanese coutry side scenery (surprisingly you can take a photo without any modane buildings here!) The bridge is totally away from the main stream of Kyoto sightseeing but it is great to see the real Japan. But all about this is a wooden bridge sometimes loose the slads, it is great place if you want to see untouched Japan not far away from Kyoto.