Shijo Ohashi Bridge, Mikoshi-arai

The information about Shijo Ohashi Bridge is presented here. Shijo Ohashi Bridge has Shijo-dori running east-west from the stone steps in front of Yasaka Shrine at the east end (Higashioji-dori) to Matsunoo Taisha Shrine at the west end. Shijo-dori is Shijo-oji of Heian-kyo from Shin Kyogoku-dori on the east side to near the Tenjin River on the west side. Shijo-dori is the main road leading to Yasaka Shrine.

• Spot Location Map ＆ Directions
• Spot History
• Spot Highlights

【Shijo Ohashi Bridge Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop (about 5 minutes on foot), Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (about 5 minutes on foot), Keihan Gion Shijo Station (about 1 minutes on foot), Subway Shijo Station (about 20 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: Free
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Free

【Shijo Ohashi Bridge History】

Shijo Ohashi Bridge (四条大橋) is a bridge built over the Kamo-gawa River, which flows through Kyoto City from north to south. By the way, the Kamo-gawa River originates from Mt. Sajikigadake, which is about 896 meters above sea level in Kita-ku, Kyoto City, and has a length of about 35 kilometers, flowing south after joining the Takano-gawa River and joining the Katsura-gawa River at Shimotoba.
According to the “Shake Kiroku (Record)” of Yasaka Shrine, Shijo Ohashi Bridge is said to have its origins in 1142 in the late Heian period (794-1192). After that, it was washed away and replaced many times, and the earliest record of it being washed away is said to be in 1228. It is said to have been washed away in 1676, 1728, 1778, 1786, 1802, 1846, 1850, and 1852 during the Edo period (1603-1868) alone after being replaced in 1577 during the Sengoku period (1493-1590). By the way, Sanjo Ohashi Bridge on the north side and Gojo Ohashi Bridge on the south side are government bridges, and Shijo Ohashi Bridge was a small private bridge, but during the Edo period (1603-1868), it came to be managed by the Edo Shogunate as the Shogunate Bridge, along with Sanjo Ohashi Bridge and Gojo Ohashi Bridge. Shijo Ohashi Bridge was once a floating bridge, so it is said that mikoshi (portable shrines) cross the Kamo-gawa River, but large Yamahoko floats do not cross the Kamo-gawa River. Today, Yamahoko floats still change direction at Kawaramachi-dori, just before the Kamo-gawa River. Shijo Ohashi Bridge was built as a lattice girder bridge from 1874 to 1911 and as a reinforced concrete arch bridge from 1913 to 1941. The present Shijo Ohashi Bridge was built in 1942 as a steel continuous girder bridge with a length of about 65 meters and a width of about 25 meters. In 1965, the Koran (Rankan) for fall protection, which had become wooden due to metal donations during the war, was replaced.
●The Kamo-gawa River is a first-class river in the Yodo-gawa River system, which flows through Kyoto City from north to south. Since ancient times, the upper reaches of the Kamo-gawa River have been considered a sacred place where misogi (purification) took place. During the Heian period (794-1185), the nanase-barai (purification ceremony) was held monthly by the Onmyoji, and the hitogata, on which the emperor breathed and stroked his body, was sometimes floated down the Kamo-gawa River. Incidentally, the section of the Kamo-gawa River from Shijo Ohashi Bridge to Matsubara Bridge, where Mikoshi-arai is held, is called Miya-gawa River, named after Yasaka Shrine, and is also the origin of the name Miyagawa-choi (Hanamachi (Kagai) district).
*reference・・・Shijo Ohashi Bridge website

【Shijo Ohashi Bridge Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★The statue of Izumoakuni is located on the east side of Shijo Ohashi Bridge. The east side of Shijo Ohashi is the intersection of Shijo Dori and Kawabata Dori, and the statue stands at the northwest corner. Minamiza is located to the southeast. Izumoakuni performed dances at Shijo Kawara and is considered the founder of Kabuki.

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Shinyou-sui Kiyoharai-shiki (神用水清祓式) and Mikoshi-arai (神輿洗) is held every year on July 10th and July 28th. Shinyou-sui Kiyoharai-shiki is a ritual for pumping water to purify mikoshi (portable shrine) before Mikoshi-arai. In Mikoshi-arai, Nakagoza Mikoshi, one of three mikoshi, is carried from Yasaka Shrine to Shijo Ohashi Bridge and is purified by sprinkling water using Sakaki.
●Gion Matsuri Festival 2024 will start on July 1st, 2024 and end on July 31st, 2024.
Gion Matsuri Festival Schedule (July 1st-31st)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: –

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Shijo Ohashi Bridge is to Yasaka Shrine on the east side. Yasaka Shrine holds the Gion Matsuri Festival in July and is popular with both domestic and foreign tourists. It may be a good idea to stop in Gion, which is a Hanamachi (Kagai) district, on the way. It may also be a good idea to walk around Nishiki Tenmangu and Nishiki Market on the west side. You can enjoy shopping at Nishiki Market.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Shijo Ohashi Bridge, be sure to check the latest information.