Megane Bridge, a four-storied brick arch bridge

  • Gunma
  • Experience Gifu
Photo courtesy of Gugutto Gunma Photo Gallery

A national important cultural asset and a modern heritage site

On the JR Shinetsu Main Line connecting Takasaki and Naoetsu, only the 11.2 km section between Yokogawa and Karuizawa, which had a steep grade, had not been opened to traffic.

Officially called the "Usui Daisan Bridge" (Usui Bridge No. 3), the bridge is located almost halfway up the Usui Pass and features a beautiful series of four arches, 31 m high and 91 m long. The number of bricks used in the construction of this bridge is 2,030,000, making it the largest brick arch bridge in Japan, and the sight is breathtaking.

Although the railroad line is now closed, a promenade "Apto's Way" has been developed using the abandoned railway bed, and visitors can walk across the bridge or go down the stairs to look up at the bridge. The reddish-brown color of the bricks matches the atmosphere of the area during the fall foliage season. Although you cannot feel the steepness of the Usui Pass now, a walk around the Megane-bashi Bridge will give you an idea of how difficult it was to cross the pass by train in the past. Please enjoy the heritage of the modernization of the railroad!

The reddish-brown bricks match both in the season of fresh green and autumn leaves!

Photo courtesy of Gugutto Gunma Photo Gallery
Photo courtesy of Gugutto Gunma Photo Gallery
Gugutto Gunma official website
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