Kintaikyo is one of Japan’s most famous and picturesque bridges, located in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Distinctive Design: It’s a wooden, five-arched bridge that stretches across the Nishiki River. The arches create an elegant, wave-like silhouette, especially striking against the backdrop of Iwakuni Castle on the hillside. Historical Significance: The original bridge was built in 1673 for the feudal lord of Iwakuni, to connect the castle town to the main road without being washed away by floods (a common problem at the time). Engineering Achievement: The design uses no nails in the main arches—traditional joinery and metal belts hold the wooden beams together. It’s a masterpiece of Edo-period carpentry. Cultural Symbol: Today, Kintaikyo is a symbol of Iwakuni, often visited in spring for cherry blossoms, in summer for cormorant fishing events, and in autumn for colorful foliage.