About Saruhashi “the monkey bridge”
The scenic spot “Saruhashi Bridge” crosses the deep and beautiful valley of Kake River.
This bridge, together with “The Kintaikyo Bridge” and “Kisonokakehashi”, was chosen as Japan’s three largest Strange bridge, its length of 30.9 m, its width of 3.3 m and its height of 31 m did not use bridge pier at all and sharply towering shore It is supported by the 4 layers of reinforcement that overhang from.
Although the origin of the unusual structure of Saruhashi Bridge is not certain, Shirako (志羅呼) of the landscape guru who came from Kudara ‘s era of Emperor Suiko (About 600 AD) took over the construction of this bridge. However, the construction of this bridge has failed many times becouse of a deep valley.
Although he attempted various methods, he did not go well and gave up the construction of the bridge.
But one day he witnessed a lot of monkeys connected each other and they crossed river and reached the other side, then he came up an idea with the structure of this bridge.
And finally Saruhashi Bridge was built in the valley of this Kake river.
It seems that the origin of the name of Saruhashi “the monkey bridge” was also attached from this legend.
According to the records, since there is a description of Saruhashi bridge in Goindokou’s journal “Rinkoku Zakki”, you can see that this bridge certainly existed 500 years ago.
The valley beauty of Saruhashi Bridge which were also loved by Culture people
The scenery of the Saruhashi crossing a beautiful valley that changes every season is called one of the most scenic beauty of the Koshu Highway which was developed by the Edo Five Routes, many writers and painters visited.
Among them, Ukiyo-e artist Hiroshige Utagawa is very moved by this scenery and draws “Koyo Saruhashi no zu”.
The current Saruhashi was restored faithfully in 1986 based on the data of Kaei 4 (1851).
After the Meiji era, new bridges are built one after another with the Saruhashi Bridge in between, and now you can look at the historic bridge at the same time with a steeply and beautiful landscape.
Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige Ukiyoe “Koyo Saruibashi no zu”
Hiroshige “Koyo Saruhashi no zu”, published in 1842, relies on several sketches and his own memories for the scenery of the monkey bridge that he stopped on his way to Kofu for the production of the festival’s painting It is a very large painting created on.
Once, Hiroshige saw this beautiful scenery and said, “I can not speak, I can not draw in a picture.”
Such Nishiki-e of Saruhashi is said to be the highest masterpiece among works of Hiroshige.
Yatsusawa Power Plant No. 1 Aqueduct Bridge
Another story that can be seen from Saruhashi
This bridge is a water bridge built to supply water to the Yatsusawa Power plant that was built in 1912 (Meiji 45).
It is made of reinforced concrete, and red bricks similar to those of Komabashi power generation facilities are used for both Sluice gates of the bridge.
A very innovative design that takes advantage of the characteristics of the material is blending in the beauty of the valley.
Access information to Saruhashi
By car: 15 minutes from the Central Expressway Otsuki IC, turn left at the “New Saruhashi west” signal on Route 20
By train: 15 minutes on foot from Saruhashi Station on JR Chuo Main Line
By Central Highway Bus: 10 minutes on foot from Saruhashi Bus Stop