What Is Saruhashi? One of Japan's Three Unusual Bridges in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi
Saruhashi is a wooden bridge spanning the deep Katsura River Gorge in Ōtsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, offering views where the bridge and surrounding landscape blend together.
Thanks to its distinctive structure that uses no bridge piers, it is recognized as one of Japan's Three Unusual Bridges (Nihon Sankikyō), and beyond simply walking across it, viewing the structure from the side and looking up from the promenade below reveal what makes the bridge unique.
The bridge is accessible by public transportation and is about a 15-minute walk from Saruhashi Station on the JR Chūō Main Line.
Saruhashi and the Katsura River Gorge, Protected as a National Place of Scenic Beauty
Saruhashi was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1932 as a place where a man-made bridge and the natural scenery of the Katsura River gorge are in harmony.
As a Place of Scenic Beauty, Saruhashi is best appreciated as a complete landscape shaped by the terrain, vegetation, flowing water, and human-made structures.
Rather than hurrying to photograph only the bridge, bringing the rock walls, trees, and water surface into your field of view makes it easier to appreciate why it was designated.
Why Saruhashi Is One of Japan's Three Unusual Bridges
Saruhashi has long been called one of Japan's Three Unusual Bridges (Nihon Sankikyō), together with Kintai Bridge (Kintaikyō) in Iwakuni and Kiso no Kakehashi in Kiso.
The designation is not based on sheer size; it highlights bridges with unusual structures or settings.
From a distance it looks like a calm wooden bridge, but when you move around to the side, you can see that the wooden supports extend outward from the cliffs in multiple layers.
Best Way to View Saruhashi With the Katsura River Gorge
The Katsura River flows far below the bridge, and the bridge stands about 31 meters above the water, with steep rock walls and trees lining both banks.
Because the color of the water and the density of the trees change with the season and weather, the impression differs each time you visit, even with the same composition.
Because of the dramatic drop, visitors who are uncomfortable with heights should stay back from the railing and choose a stable viewpoint.
The Structure of Saruhashi: How Four Layers of Cantilever Beams Work Without Bridge Piers
The heart of Saruhashi lies in the fact that no bridge piers stand on the riverbed; instead, timbers extend outward from the bedrock on both banks to support the bridge.
The bridge is about 30.9 meters long and about 3.3 meters wide, and because the structure is difficult to understand from the bridge deck alone, viewing it from the side or below makes its ingenious structure easier to understand.
Hanebashi Design: Cantilevered From Both Banks
Saruhashi is known for its hanebashi (cantilever bridge) form, in which timbers project outward in stages from both sides of the valley and the bridge girders are placed on top of them.
Because it is difficult to set bridge piers on the riverbed in a deep valley, builders used the solid bedrock on both banks to support the bridge.
Rather than looking only at the central part, tracing how the supports carry the load from both banks toward the center reveals the bridge's structural design.
The Four Layers of Cantilever Beams
At Saruhashi, the "hanegi" (cantilever beams) extending out from both banks are assembled in four layers, supporting the bridge girders above.
Each successive layer projects farther toward the center of the river, reducing the unsupported span between the left and right banks.
In photos, framing the layered supports below the bridge deck helps convey what makes Saruhashi distinctive.
Note the Small Roof-Like Coverings, Too
On the sides, small roof-like coverings run along the tops of the projecting cantilever beams.
The repetition of the cantilever beam tiers and the coverings creates a distinctive rhythm along the sides of Saruhashi.
Observe the timbers, coverings, and their connections to the bedrock to trace how the bridge extends from the banks toward the center.
Terms for Understanding the Structure
Learning the basic structural terms before your visit makes the on-site information boards easier to understand.
The following table summarizes useful terms for viewing Saruhashi.
| Term | Where to Look | Point of Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Cantilever beam | Side of the bridge | Extends out from the bank |
| Bridge girder | Beneath the floor surface | Supports the bridge deck |
| Bedrock | Both banks | Foundation of the structure |
| Covering | Atop the cantilever beams | A continuous form |
The History and Culture of Saruhashi: Reading the Legend, the Kōshū Kaidō, and Ukiyo-e
Saruhashi served as an important crossing, while its rare structure and gorge scenery captured the attention of travelers, writers, and artists.
Considering the bridge through the perspectives of highway history, legend, and art makes a visit more rewarding.
A Bridge That Supported the Kōshū Kaidō
Saruhashi was built at the point where the Kōshū Kaidō (Kōshū Highway) crosses the Katsura River, supporting travel through the mountainous region.
Praised as the finest scenic spot on the Kōshū Kaidō, it was visited by many writers and artists who recorded it in travelogues and artworks.
From today's quiet scenery, imagine the busy highway crossing where people and goods once moved through the region.
The Current Bridge Was Restored Based on Old Records
The current Saruhashi was faithfully restored in 1984 using records from 1851.
Rather than treating the bridge as an untouched original, view it as a carefully reconstructed cultural landscape preserved for future generations.
Nearby you can also see bridges and waterway facilities built in different eras, letting you compare changes in transportation and civil engineering technology within a single valley.
The Legend That Monkeys Gave the Bridge Its Name
According to legend, the idea for the bridge came from seeing a troop of monkeys link their bodies together to cross to the opposite bank.
The legend is not historical proof of the bridge's origin, but it reflects how people imagined crossing this difficult valley.
Viewing the bridge after learning the legend, the story of the monkeys linking together echoes the supports extending from both banks toward the center.
The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province (Kōyō Saruhashi no Zu) by Utagawa Hiroshige
Saruhashi is also well known through Utagawa Hiroshige's ukiyo-e print The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province (Kōyō Saruhashi no Zu).
In the print, not only the bridge but also the steep rock walls, the flow of the water, and the surrounding trees are emphasized, conveying that Saruhashi has been valued for its scenery as a whole.
At the site, rather than trying to reproduce the exact composition, you can compare Hiroshige's depiction of the dramatic height difference between the bridge and the valley with the view today.
Best Saruhashi Viewpoints: Bridge Deck, Side View, and Promenade
No single viewpoint captures both the bridge's structure and the gorge. View Saruhashi from the bridge deck, the side, and the promenade below for a fuller understanding.
Since there are stairs and slopes, explore only as far as is comfortable and watch your footing.
First, See the Depth of the Valley From the Bridge Deck
When you reach the bridge, cross slowly while noticing the floorboards, railing, and view toward the opposite bank.
Near the center, the Katsura River flows about 31 meters below, letting you truly sense that the bridge crosses a deep valley.
So as not to block pedestrian traffic, it is important not to stand for long in the center of the bridge even when taking photos.
View the Layered Cantilever Beams From the Side
Saruhashi's distinctive structure becomes easier to understand when you shift your viewpoint to the side of the bridge.
Observe how the four layers of cantilever beams extend from the bedrock on the left and right toward the center, and how the bridge deck rests on top of them.
Capturing the color of the wooden bridge together with the surrounding greenery or autumn leaves conveys the contrast between the human-made structure and nature.
Capture the Bridge and the Katsura River Gorge in a Single Frame From the Viewing Spot
The surrounding viewpoints let you frame the side of Saruhashi, the rock walls, and the Katsura River together.
The bridge looks very different when photographed from above than when viewed from a lower position near the water.
Do not go beyond the safety fences or step onto the slopes; take photos from the maintained areas.
Walk the Promenade Toward Saruhashi Park
A maintained promenade runs from Saruhashi toward Saruhashi Park, letting you stroll while viewing the scenery of the Katsura River.
Along the way there are stairs and slopes, and it can be slippery after rain or when fallen leaves cover the path, so wear sturdy, comfortable shoes.
The table below summarizes the best subject and composition for each viewpoint.
| Viewpoint | Main Subject | Suitable Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge deck | Depth of the valley | Looking down |
| Side of the bridge | Cantilever beams | Close side view |
| Viewing spot | Bridge and gorge | Wide-angle view |
| Promenade | Water and rock walls | Look up from below |
Best Seasons for Saruhashi Photography
At Saruhashi, even though the bridge's shape stays the same, the color of the trees, the light on the water's surface, and how the rock walls appear change with each season.
Rather than focusing only on one peak season, look for how the bridge and landscape interact at the time of your visit.
From Spring to Early Summer, Enjoy the Fresh Greenery and Hydrangeas
In spring, the budding trees make the gorge look bright, and in early summer the hydrangeas reach their peak along the promenade leading to Saruhashi Park.
The hydrangeas are generally at their best in late June, and since the bridge is partly hidden as the leaves grow, try both a wide view and a composition that frames the cantilever beams between the trees.
On rainy days the colors of the greenery appear richer, but because the stairs and wooden floors are slippery, prioritize safety over photography.
In Autumn, Fall Foliage Frames the Wooden Bridge
In autumn the trees of the gorge take on color, letting you enjoy scenery where the warm tones of the wooden bridge contrast with red and yellow leaves.
The autumn foliage is generally at its best around November, but because the timing varies with the weather, check foliage updates from Ōtsuki City or the Ōtsuki City Tourism Association before your visit.
When it is crowded, take turns and avoid occupying one photography spot for too long.
In Winter, the Structure Is Easy to Observe
After the leaves fall, the side of the bridge and the rock walls become easier to see between the branches, making winter ideal for observing structural details such as the four layers of cantilever beams.
Because the presence of snow or ice varies from day to day, in winter check the weather and transportation information and choose non-slip shoes.
The table below summarizes the seasonal views.
| Season | Scenic Features | Photography Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Budding leaves | Bridge and young leaves |
| Early summer | Hydrangeas | Between the trees |
| Autumn | Autumn-colored gorge | Contrast with the bridge |
| Winter | View through the branches | Structure and rock walls |
How to Get to Saruhashi and Visitor Etiquette
While Saruhashi can be reached on foot from the train station, there are roads, slopes, and stairs in the area, so checking your route and the weather in advance helps you plan safely.
Because this cultural property sits beside roads used by local residents, be considerate of both other visitors and local traffic.
Walking From JR Saruhashi Station
By public transportation, the nearest station is Saruhashi Station on the JR Chūō Main Line, about a 15-minute walk from the station to Saruhashi.
On sidewalks and at intersections, watch for traffic, and check not only your map app but also the on-site signs.
For your return train times and service status, check same-day service information from operators such as JR East.
Parking When Visiting by Car
When visiting by car, there is a free parking lot for 18 standard vehicles near Saruhashi, and if it is full, you can also use the Saruhashi Park parking lot.
Because the parking lots tend to get crowded during the autumn foliage and hydrangea seasons, allow plenty of time.
You can also take in the gorge as you cross Saruhashi.
Safety and Etiquette on the Bridge and Promenade
On the bridge, do not block the path, and even when setting up equipment such as a tripod, keep the route clear for other visitors.
On the promenade, follow the fences and signs, and as a rule do not enter off-limits areas, rocky areas, or steep slopes.
Carry out all trash, avoid damaging or picking plants, and help preserve the quiet gorge environment.
- Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for stairs and wet surfaces
- Check access and visitor updates from the municipality, tourism association, and transportation operators
- Take turns when taking photos and do not occupy the same spot for a long time
- Stay behind safety fences, follow signs, and avoid dangerous photography positions
Summary: Enjoy Saruhashi's Structure and the Katsura River Gorge by Changing Your Viewpoint
Saruhashi is a National Place of Scenic Beauty and one of Japan's Three Unusual Bridges. Its four layers of cantilever beams support the bridge without piers, creating a striking scene above the deep Katsura River Gorge.
Do not limit your visit to the bridge deck. Side views, viewing spots, and the promenade reveal the bridge's engineering, its connection to the Kōshū Kaidō, and the scenery depicted by Utagawa Hiroshige.
Because conditions underfoot and visibility change with the season and weather, check current information before your visit and explore with safety and consideration for the local community in mind.
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