One of Japan’s Largest Brick Arch Bridges
Megane Bridge is a four-arch brick railway bridge spanning the Usui River. It is approximately 91 meters long and rises about 31 meters above the riverbed, making it one of the largest surviving brick bridges in Japan.
Approximately two million bricks were used in its construction. The enormous scale of the bridge, together with the precision of its masonry, demonstrates the remarkable level of civil engineering technology achieved in Japan during the Meiji period.
The bridge was one of several railway structures along the former Shinetsu Main Line between Yokokawa and Karuizawa. Construction began in 1891 and was completed in 1893 after an intensive construction effort.
At the time, Usui Pass was regarded as one of Japan’s most difficult transportation routes. It was also the section where the Abt rack railway system was introduced for the first time in Japan. Megane Bridge was an important structure designed to help the railway overcome the exceptionally steep gradients of the pass.
A Blend of Western Technology and Japanese Craftsmanship
The bridge was designed with the involvement of the British engineer Powell and Japanese engineer Furukawa Seiichi. Modern Western engineering techniques were combined with Japan’s traditional stonework and civil engineering skills.
This combination of Western technology and Japanese craftsmanship makes Megane Bridge more than simply an engineering achievement. It is also an important symbol of Japan’s modernization during the Meiji period.
Shortly after its completion, concerns were raised about the strength of the structure, and major reinforcement work was carried out the following year. The bridge subsequently continued to serve the railway as the line developed, including the introduction of electric trains and the construction of a new railway route.
Megane Bridge remained in service until 1963, when the new railway line was opened and the original route was closed.
Nationally Important Cultural Property
In 1993, the railway facilities around Usui Pass, including Megane Bridge, were collectively designated as the Usui Pass Railway Facilities, an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The surviving railway structures, including the Second through Sixth Bridges, form an important group of historic brick bridges that tell the story of Japan’s modern railway development.
In recent years, efforts have also been made to seek World Heritage recognition for the wider group of railway facilities around Usui Pass. The historical value of the area extends beyond individual bridges to include the challenge of crossing the mountainous terrain, changes in transportation technology, surrounding tunnels and roads, and the relationship between infrastructure and the natural environment.
A Popular Scenic and Hiking Destination
Today, the former railway route has been developed into a walking trail known as the Abt Road. The trail runs approximately 5.9 kilometers from Yokokawa Station to the former Kumano-daira Station.
Megane Bridge can be reached in approximately one hour on foot from JR Yokokawa Station. During certain seasons, visitors can also take a JR Bus Kanto service and get off directly at the Megane Bridge bus stop.
Standing beneath the bridge and looking upward, visitors can appreciate the impressive scale of the four connected arches. A staircase of approximately 123 steps leads up to the bridge, where visitors can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and gorge.
The area is particularly popular during the autumn foliage season, when the colorful mountains create a spectacular backdrop for the historic brick structure. The bridge is also a favorite destination for photographers.
Usui Pass: A Stage in Japan’s Transportation History
Located at an elevation of approximately 956 meters, Usui Pass has long been an important transportation route. During the Edo period, it formed part of the Nakasendo, one of the major highways connecting Edo with Kyoto, and the Usui Checkpoint was established here to control travelers.
Over the centuries, the pass has witnessed successive generations of transportation technology, including horse-drawn railways, the Abt rack railway, National Route 18, the Joshin-Etsu Expressway, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Within a relatively short stretch of approximately 11 kilometers, visitors can trace the evolution of Japan’s land transportation from the Edo period to the modern era. This concentration of transportation history is one of the distinctive attractions of the Usui Pass area.
Remembering the People Who Built the Railway
The area also contains monuments dedicated to the workers who lost their lives during the difficult construction of the railway facilities. These memorials quietly preserve the memory of the people who supported Japan’s modernization through demanding and dangerous construction work.
For this reason, Megane Bridge is not simply a picturesque tourist attraction. It is also a place where visitors can reflect on the challenges, technological achievements, and human effort behind the development of modern Japan.
How to Visit Usui Third Bridge
There are several ways to reach Usui Third Bridge. Because bus services vary depending on the season, it is recommended that visitors check the latest operating information before traveling.
By Bus
From JR Yokokawa Station, take a JR Bus Kanto service bound for Karuizawa Station via the old Usui Road and Megane Bridge. The journey takes approximately 13 minutes. Get off at the Megane Bridge bus stop.
On Foot
From JR Yokokawa Station, follow the Abt Road walking trail. Megane Bridge can be reached in approximately one hour.
Experience the History of Usui Pass
Usui Third Bridge, or Megane Bridge, combines the grandeur of one of Japan’s largest surviving brick arch bridges with beautiful mountain scenery and exceptional historical value. It stands as a symbol of the technological innovation that supported Japan’s modernization during the Meiji period.
Walking through the natural surroundings of Usui Pass, visitors can appreciate the bridge from different viewpoints while learning about the history of railway development and the people who worked to overcome one of Japan’s most challenging mountain routes.
With different scenery in every season, Megane Bridge is one of Gunma Prefecture’s most memorable historic attractions. A visit offers not only spectacular views but also an opportunity to imagine the remarkable engineering challenges faced more than a century ago.