Kurehashi Bridge

Kurehashi Bridge spans the Yorimo River at the western entrance to Usa Jingu shrine and is used only once every ten years when imperial messengers make a formal pilgrimage along the ceremonial Chokushi Kaido Road. At other times pedestrians cross a nearby bridge. The current bridge was built in 1622 by Hosokawa Tadatoshi, whose name appears on gilded railing ornaments, and restored twice since. The cypress-bark karahafu roof and vermilion paint are typical of shrine architecture, but the covered girder form itself is rare in Japan, more common in mainland Asia. The bridge's name references a possible Chinese origin, though the Kingdom of Wu it alludes to fell centuries before Usa Jingu was founded.