Are you ready to explore one of Tokyo’s hidden gems? The Nijubashi Bridge, also known as Ninohashi or Tsukimihashi, awaits your visit. Just a short walk from the Tokyo Metro Sakuradamon, Hibiya, and Nijubashi stations, this bridge spans the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace main gate, providing access to the palace grounds. But here’s a little-known fact: despite its close proximity to the main gate, some people mistakenly believe that “Nijubashi” refers to both of the bridges in front of the main gate. In reality, “Nijubashi” officially refers only to the iron Seimon-tetsubashi Bridge, which can be seen in the background from the Imperial Palace Plaza.
Built during the Edo Period, the Nijubashi Bridge was originally a wooden bridge known as the “Nishinomaru Gejobashi.” Due to the depth of the moat at that location, the bridge was built on top of logs as a foundation to support the girders, leading to it being referred to as the “Nijubashi” or “double bridge.” In 1888, it was rebuilt as an iron bridge and subsequently repaired in 1964, adopting its current appearance. During this remodeling, state-of-the-art anti-rust technologies such as zinc spray were introduced in Japan for the first time. So come and explore the Nijubashi Bridge, a true piece of history and architectural beauty.
