Meganebashi Bridge (Spectacles Bridge), Nagasaki

A stone arch bridge over Nagasaki's Nakashima River, built in 1634. Its two arches reflected in the water look like a pair of glasses, hence its name.

Meganebashi's two arches reflected in the river, forming the shape of spectacles — Photo: Fg2, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Stone Meganebashi Bridge seen along the Nakashima River under a blue sky — Photo: LuxTonnerre, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A stone bridge built by a monk from China

Meganebashi is a stone bridge across the Nakashima River, which flows through the centre of Nagasaki city. It is said to have been built in 1634 by Mokusu Nyojo, a monk from China who became head priest of Kofukuji, a temple in Nagasaki.

When its two semicircular arches are reflected in the water, they look like two round lenses side by side, like a pair of megane (glasses), and that is how it came to be called Meganebashi, the Spectacles Bridge. Leaving aside Tenyobashi in Okinawa, it is regarded as Japan's first stone arch bridge, and it is designated a national Important Cultural Property. It is sometimes counted, along with Nihonbashi in Tokyo and Kintaikyo in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, as one of Japan's three famous bridges.

A bridge that survived the great flood

In the Great Nagasaki Flood of 1982, many of the stone bridges over the Nakashima River were swept away. Meganebashi was about half destroyed, but it was not washed away. It was restored the following year, partly using original stones recovered from downstream.

Heart-shaped stones are set into the stone walls along the riverbanks around Meganebashi. They are said to make your love come true, and hunting for them has become part of the fun for visitors.

Enjoying a riverside stroll

When the water is low, you can take the steps down to the riverbank and walk along it. The riverbank is the best place to look up at the bridge from below or to admire the "spectacles" reflected in the water.

During the Nagasaki Lantern Festival in winter (when the city is decorated with Chinese-style lanterns), the area around the bridge is lit up with lanterns too and gets very busy.

Getting there

From Nagasaki Station, take the tram bound for Hotarujaya for about 4 minutes, get off at the Shiyakusho (City Hall) stop and walk for about 4 minutes. You can also take a bus from Nagasaki Station to the Meganebashi bus stop. The bridge is right in the city, so it is easy to drop by while you are out walking.

Tips

For the best view of the "spectacles" shape, pick a time when the wind is light and the water is calm, and look from the riverbank a little way off.
The heart stones are set into the stone walls along the riverbank near Meganebashi. See if you can find them as you walk along the river.
Besides Meganebashi, there is a series of other stone bridges along the Nakashima River, such as Fukurobashi. Comparing them on a riverside walk is well worth it.