About
Kototoi Bridge, which spans the gentle flow of the Sumida River, quietly tells the story of Tokyo’s history and culture. This bridge was completed in 1928 (Showa 3) as part of the reconstruction plan following the Great Kanto Earthquake. Before that, there was no bridge at this location, and people crossed the river using a ferry called “Takeya no Watashi.” The name of the bridge is said to be derived from a poem composed by Ariwara no Narihira: “If you bear such a name, let me ask you, Miyako-dori, does the one I long for dwell there or not?”
The design of Kototoi Bridge is characterized by its linear and powerful beauty. The writer Yasunari Kawabata commented, “Among the six new major bridges over the Sumida River, if Kiyosu Bridge is the beauty of curves, then Kototoi Bridge is the beauty of straight lines.” The bridge was constructed as a Gerber-type steel girder bridge, which was the latest technology at the time, and as a three-span Gerber plate girder bridge with a central span of 67.2 meters, it is considered one of Japan’s three major steel Gerber bridges.
However, this beautiful bridge also has a history as the stage of tragedy. During the Tokyo air raid on March 10, 1945 (Showa 20), many citizens rushed to Kototoi Bridge to escape the flames. However, as evacuees became crowded and unable to move on the bridge, the approaching fire claimed many lives. Today, at the foot of the bridge, there is a memorial monument to mourn the victims of the Tokyo air raid.
In modern times, Kototoi Bridge is also known as an excellent spot for photographing Tokyo Skytree. Especially at night, the illuminated Skytree is reflected on the surface of the Sumida River, creating a fantastic scene. Sumida Park spreads out around the bridge, and in spring, cherry blossoms bloom in profusion, attracting many visitors.
Kototoi Bridge is a place where past tragedy and present peace intersect. In its quiet presence, the history of Tokyo and the feelings of its people live on.