Emma What you need to know before visiting Shinkyo Bridge Nikko
The beautiful Shinkyo Bridge, “sacred bridge”, acts as an entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples and is a must-see when visiting Nikko.
The current Shinkyo Bridge was constructed in 1636, but there has been a bridge of some kind here for longer.
The image below is from “In the Track of the Sun; readings from the diary of a globe trotter by Frederick Thompson, 1893 and held by the British Library.
Public access to Shinkyo Bridge itself was restricted until 1973. After an extensive renovation, the bridge is open to the public and can be walked across for a fee. It is free to take photos from the road.
Legend says that the monk Shodo Shoin prayed to the gods here and the god Jinja-Daiou appeared, with two snakes transforming into a bridge which he could cross. The bridge was used only by important people such as military commanders, and ordinary folks used the bridge downstream.
Where
Shinkyo Bridge is in central Nikko and can be easily reached by foot or by bus from Japan Rail or Tobu Nikko Stations.
JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Utsunomiya Station, transfer to the JR Nikko Line to JR Nikko Station.
Tobu Asakusa from Tokyo to Tobu Nikko
Tobu and JR Nikko Station are near each other. From here the bridge is a 20 min walk away.
You can also travel from Nikko railway station to Shinkyo Bridge by bus. This takes around 5-10 mins, depending on the traffic
Opening Hours
08:00 to 17:00 (April to September)
08:00 to 16:00 (October to mid-November)
09:00 to 16:00 (mid-November to March)
Admission
500 yen to get up close, or you can simply view from the main road bridge as we did. On the other side of the main road are steps leading up towards Rinnoji temple and Tosho-gu shrine.
Shinkyo Bridge Official website in English
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