Usui Third Bridge (Meganebashi): A Guide to Gunma's Railway Heritage
The Usui Third Bridge (Usui Daisan Kyōryō), tucked into the mountains of Annaka City in Gunma Prefecture, is a railway bridge on the former Shin'etsu Main Line whose four brick arches span a valley.
Rising about 31 meters above the riverbed, it is affectionately known as “Meganebashi” (the Spectacles Bridge) and ranks among the largest brick arch bridges in Japan.
You can not only look up at the bridge from below but also walk across the top along the promenade, and its appearance changes dramatically depending on where you view it from.
The Official Name: Third Bridge of the Former Usui Pass Railway Facilities
As a cultural property, its formal name is the “Former Usui Pass Railway Facilities, Third Bridge,” and this four-arch brick bridge is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The designation was made in 1993 (Heisei 5); construction began in Meiji 25 and was completed in December of the same year, making it a structure that conveys the history of modern Japanese railways.
The bridge is 91.1 meters long, showing just how large a structure was needed to support a mountain railway.
The Abt Railway and Its Steep-Grade Legacy
On the Usui Pass section, a mechanism called the Abt system (a rack-and-pinion method for climbing slopes) was used to overcome the steep gradients.
The old line connecting Yokokawa Station and Karuizawa Station was known for its steep grade of up to 66.7 permil, and many brick bridges and tunnels were built to cross this difficult stretch.
Rather than viewing the bridges and tunnels on their own, imagining the entire plan of running a railway through such rugged terrain deepens the meaning of the scenery.
Where Brickwork Meets Mountain Scenery
The reddish-brown brick gives a different impression depending on the surrounding fresh spring greenery, deep summer green, autumn foliage, and bare winter landscape.
Whether your aim is architecture, railways, photography, or a nature walk, it is a sightseeing spot you can enjoy from many different perspectives.
Top Things to See at Meganebashi: Walking Below and Above the Bridge
At Meganebashi, the character of the scenery changes greatly between the spot where you look up from below and the top of the bridge.
If you allow plenty of time and compare the same structure from below and above, you can grasp the scale of the four arches and its role as a railway bridge in three dimensions.
Viewing the Full Four-Arch Span from Below
From beneath the bridge, you can take in at a glance the outline of the four connected arches and the piers that stretch to fit the valley's terrain.
The closer you get, the easier it is to see how the bricks are laid and where the reinforcements are, but it is important not to step outside the protective railings or climb the slopes.
Climbing the 123 Steps to the Top of the Bridge
The staircase leading to the top of the bridge has 123 steps.
The climb is continuous, so wear comfortable walking shoes, pause to catch your breath, and go at your own pace.
Even if using the stairs is difficult, simply gazing up at the whole arch from below is enough to appreciate the structure's distinctive features.
Checking the Direction of the Former Railway Line from the Bridge
The top of the bridge is part of the “Apt no Michi” promenade, where you can look out over the direction the tracks once ran and the mountain slopes at the same time.
By paying attention not only to the path beneath your feet but also to the tunnels continuing ahead and behind, it becomes easier to imagine the route trains once traveled.
Observing the Color and Layering of the Bricks
From a distance the large arches are the main attraction, but up close the color variations and joints of each individual brick create the bridge's character.
The material's changes over time are part of the appeal, but do not touch the cultural property or lean objects against it; admire it without touching it.
How to Combine Your Visit with Apt no Michi: From Yokokawa Along the Former Line
Visiting only Meganebashi and arriving on foot along Apt no Michi from the Yokokawa side offer very different travel experiences.
If you value the continuity of the railway heritage, walking is best; if you want to focus on observing the bridge, visiting from the parking lot is more suitable.
Walking from Yokokawa Station Ties the Story Together
Apt no Michi is a promenade about 6 kilometers long that makes use of the former Shin'etsu Main Line's abandoned railway bed, connecting Yokokawa Station to Kumanotaira Station.
Heading in from the Yokokawa Station side, you can approach Meganebashi while tracing the former Maruyama Substation—an Important Cultural Property—along with 10 tunnels and 6 bridges.
Since the walk from Yokokawa Station to Meganebashi is estimated at 100 minutes, it is not a casual stroll to add on during sightseeing but requires a plan with walking as the main purpose.
Making a Round Trip to the Bridge from the Parking Lot
It is a 5-minute walk from the Meganebashi parking lot to the bridge.
While even a short visit makes it easy to compare the views below and above the bridge, parking spaces are limited, so consideration for others is needed during the autumn foliage season.
The parking lot has separate public restrooms for men and women as well as a barrier-free restroom, so it is reassuring to use them before heading to the bridge.
Check the Tunnel Lighting and Your Return Route in Advance
The tunnel lights along Apt no Michi operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Because the tunnels become dangerous at night once the lights go off at 6 p.m., finish passing through them within the lit hours.
There are no streetlights around Meganebashi and it grows dark after sunset, so plan your actions based not only on your arrival time but also on how much light you will have on the way back.
Since passage conditions can change due to weather, construction, or natural conditions, it is safest to check Annaka City's traffic information before setting out.
How to Get to Meganebashi: Access by Train and by Car
Because Meganebashi is located in the mountains, your preparations differ depending on whether you go by train or by car.
It is reassuring to understand the estimates for both public transport and a private car, and to plan all the way through to your return time.
By Train: Start from Yokokawa Station on the JR Shin'etsu Main Line
From Yokokawa Station on the JR Shin'etsu Main Line, the walk via the Apt no Michi promenade is about 100 minutes.
You can reach Yokokawa Station from Takasaki Station on the JR Shin'etsu Main Line, and the Usui Pass Railway Culture Village (Usuitōge Tetsudō Bunka Mura) is near the station.
By Car: Matsuida-Myōgi IC Is Your Landmark
By car, it is about 15 minutes from the Matsuida-Myōgi Interchange on the Jōshin-etsu Expressway.
Because the Meganebashi parking lot has limited spaces, allow plenty of time when heading there during busy periods such as the autumn foliage season.
Seasonal Scenery and What to Wear: Preparing for the Mountain Environment
The brick bridge shows the same shape all year, but the experience changes with the background trees and the condition underfoot.
More than when sightseeing in urban areas, be mindful of temperature differences and changing road surfaces, and prepare to suit the season.
Comparing How the View Changes with the Seasons
Here we organize the differences in scenery and preparation from a season-by-season perspective.
| Season | How It Looks | What to Bring |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Budding leaves and brick | Light jacket |
| Summer | Deep green and shade | Insect repellent |
| Autumn | Autumn leaves and the bridge | Expect crowds |
| Winter | Outline through bare branches | Warm clothing and anti-slip measures |
The best time for autumn foliage is usually from early to mid-November, when more people come to enjoy the scenery, so avoid occupying photo spots or paths for long periods and move with the flow around you for a calm visit.
Choose Shoes and Gear by Mountain-Walking Standards
Even on paved or maintained sections, the footing is not always consistent—there are stairs, fallen leaves, wet surfaces, and tunnels.
Non-slip shoes, a bag that keeps both hands free, drinks, and a jacket that makes temperature adjustment easy are good basics for moving comfortably.
As protection against insects and bears, prepare items such as insect repellent and a bear bell according to the season and conditions.
Photographing Meganebashi: Composition and Consideration for Passersby
The spot where you stand differs between a photo that captures all four arches in one frame and one that focuses on the brick or the tunnels.
Rather than perfecting the shot, prioritize taking photos from a safe place without obstructing other people's passage.
Below the Bridge, Compare the Size of the Arches and People
When photographing the whole bridge, including not only the curve of the arches but also the mountain slopes and the path in the frame conveys the sense of scale.
When photographing companions, take the shot quickly in a spot away from the flow of pedestrians, and avoid searching for a composition while walking backward.
On the Bridge, Use the Depth of the Direction You're Heading
On the bridge, combining the line of the promenade with the tunnel entrances can express the feeling of the former railway line continuing into the mountains.
Do not lean out over the railings or narrow the path with a tripod; leave enough width for other pedestrians to pass.
Choosing Between Different Viewpoints
Use the table below to organize which spot suits what you want to photograph.
| Viewpoint | Main Subject | Composition Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Front, below the bridge | The four arches | Frame the whole widely |
| Below, at an angle | The thickness of the piers | Create depth |
| On the bridge | The former railway line | Center on the path |
| Toward the tunnel | The texture of the brick | Use light and shadow |
After rain or in backlight the view changes greatly, so rather than staring only at your screen, frequently check your footing and surroundings.
Safety and Etiquette: Visiting While Protecting the Cultural Property and Nature
Meganebashi is a cultural property and at the same time a walking route in the mountains.
You need to think of protecting the structure, being considerate toward fellow walkers, and preparing for wildlife as a single set of actions.
Leave the Bridge Before It Gets Dark
It can be visited 24 hours a day and is open year-round, but there are no streetlights nearby.
Do not assume a nighttime visit; make a plan that lets you move across the bridge, down the stairs, and along the road to the parking lot while it is still light.
Do Not Ride Bicycles on the Bridge
On the Apt no Michi promenade, including the top of Meganebashi, riding bicycles is prohibited.
If you have a bicycle with you, follow the on-site signs and prioritize the safety of pedestrians and the protection of the cultural property.
With Pets, Be Strict About Leashes and Waste Disposal
You can visit accompanied by pets such as dogs.
Keep them on a leash, hold it short in narrow places, and always take their waste home with you.
Practical Guidelines for Your Visit
Here we check the behaviors for your visit, divided into what to observe and what to avoid.
| Situation | What to Do | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| On the bridge | Walk considerately, yielding to others | Occupying the path |
| Stairs | Use the handrail | Sudden overtaking |
| Photography | Check your surroundings | Continuously walking backward |
| Cultural property | Enjoy observing it | Climbing on or damaging it |
| Natural environment | Take your trash home | Feeding animals |
If there are information boards or signs with restrictions, follow the on-site instructions rather than this article.
Summary: Enjoying Meganebashi Safely and Meaningfully
The Usui Third Bridge (Meganebashi) is a piece of Gunma's railway heritage where you can see the four brick arches, the former railway line atop the bridge, and the surrounding mountain scenery all at once.
Look up at the whole bridge from below, and if you have the energy and time, climb the 123 steps to the top to make it easier to understand both the structure and the line.
If you walk Apt no Michi, check the tunnel lighting, sunset, weather, and footing in advance, and aim for a quiet visit that does not damage the cultural property or nature.
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