Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An

Japanese Covered Bridge Introduction

Traveling to Hoi An ancient town, visitors not only feel interested in the scenery, clouds, and the friendliness of the people here, but visitors can not help admiring their ingenuity and originality architecture of old houses. But perhaps the most unique and strange, creating a special impression and attraction to visitors is the architecture of the Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An.

Location of the Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An

Japanese Bridge in Hoi An is crossed over a creek separating the Tran Phu and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets, and according to some recorded documents, this is a bridge built by Japanese merchants for convenience moving back and forth, trading between the Chinatowns and the Japanese streets. Because there is a shrine in the bridge, people here often call it with the name Japanese Covered Bridge.

History of Japanese Bridge Hoi An

According to legend, the Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese communities share a legend about the cause of the earthquake. They believe that out in the ocean there is a sea monster that the Vietnamese call the Cu, the Japanese call Mamazu, the Chinese call it Cau Long. Its head is in Japan, its back is in India, and its tail across the slot in Hoi An that the Japanese bridge crosses.

Every time that sea monster moved, Japan had an earthquake and Hoi An was not stable so that the Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese could do business in peace. To control Mamazu, the Japanese built the Japanese Covered Bridge to be a sword to control the monster. Moreover, the ancient Japanese worshiped the Monkey and the Dog Gods on both ends of the bridge to “cover” that sea monster.

The Minh Huong people set up a small temple on the old bridge to worship the Northern God with the aim of controlling the monster. Therefore, the temple is considered as a sword stabbed down the back of the monster Mamazu, preventing it from wagging its tail, causing earthquakes.

Japanese Bridge Hoi An Vietnam architecture

Built by the Japanese, but Hoi An Japanese Bridge has a bold special architecture of Vietnam. The first special thing lies in the structure of the bridge. It is a tile bridge about 18m long and covered with yin and yang roof tiles above – a characteristic of Vietnamese architecture.

The bridge has a quite unique roof, in the middle is a roundabout-style bridge, the two sides have narrow corridors for people who can take a break with seven wooden spaces. Rather, the entire temple and bridge are made of wood, painted with vermilion and engraved with many beautiful patterns in Vietnamese architecture – typically a dragon, at the same time with a hint of Japanese style.

From a distance, the Japanese Covered Bridge has a soft bend, crossing the Hoai River (a branch of Thu Bon River). Two sides of the bridge have wooden statues of animals standing by, one end is a couple of dog statue and the other is the monkey statues. They are the holy animals to protect the bridge and represents the year when the bridge-building project is started and finished. Legend has it that these are animals that Japanese cult worship from ancient times.

The Culture Value of Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An

In 1990, Hoi An Japanese Bridge was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Relic. It does not only have a spiritual meaning but also quite important in terms of traffic. Up to now, the temple seems to have become an invaluable asset, officially selected as the symbol of Hoi An. With special architecture and history associated with the old town, domestic and foreign tourists coming here will not forget to visit and hear about Hoi An Covered Bridge.

As for the local people, the Japanese Covered Bridge is both sacred and the meeting place of the ancient villages, looking forward to a harmonious and friendly life. Coming to the Japanese Covered Bridge, you will feel peaceful moments in Hoi An Ancient Town, the gentleness and ancientness are clearly shown in each sophisticated and skillful carved line, all of which will bring you unforgettable feelings when traveling to Hoi An.

Japanese Bridge Hoi An Map

Japanese Bridge Hoi An Ticket

Because the Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An is inside the ancient town so it is one of the main attractions in the old town. So to enter the ancient town and visit the Japnese Bridge, you have to buy Hoi An Ancient town ticket includes the 5 optional attractions. It costs about VND 120,000 for adults and children under 10 years old are free of charge.

 

How to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge?

If you would like to have deep information, interesting stories about Hoi An Ancient town and its attractions, you should book the Hoi An walking tour. Book this Hoi An city tour, you will have a chance to understand more about Hoi An local life, traditional customs, culture as well as learn how to make Hoi An lanterns. Best Hue City Tour Travel guarantees the tour quality and to us, your happiness is our highest target.