In Hashidera Hojoin temple, there remains one of Japan’s oldest fragments of stone monuments. It states that Doto, a monk from Gango-ji temple in Nara, built the Uji-bashi Bridge in 646.
The bridge is considered one of three major ancient bridges of Japan, along with Seta no Karahashi Bridge, and Yamazaki-bashi Bridge (now lost). The bridge is also a part of the Japan Heritage.
The current bridge was constructed in March 1996. Its balustrades have giboshi (ornamental finials). The elegant design retains its historical image of the bridge, and is in harmony with the surrounding scenery.
The bridge features a square platform protruding toward the upstream, known as San-no-ma. Historically, Toyotomi Hideyoshi used water from the Uji River, drawn from this place, for his tea ceremony. Today, in the annual Uji Tea Festival in October, you can see water being drawn from here. Many tourists come to see it every year, and the San-no-ma is a popular photo spot, too. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy a picturesque view of the river flowing down from the gentle mountains. The fascinating scenery has remained almost unchanged since ancient times. It also offers beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and splendid fall foliage.
- Address
- Uji, Uji City, Kyoto
- Access
- - Right by Uji Station (Keihan Uji Line)
- About 10 min. on foot from Uji Station (JR Nara Line)
