9. Japan’s Kintai Bridge
Situated in the Japanese prefecture of Yamaguchi, Iwakuni
Founded in 1673 (rebuilt in 1950)
Price: *$19 million
The Nishiki River is crossed by the Kintai Bridge, which was initially built in 1673. The bridge itself is situated at the foot of Mount Yokoyama, which is home to Iwakuni Castle, and features five wooden arches. Nowadays, many people visit the Kintai Bridge, particularly in the fall and spring.
Japan’s Kintai Bridge ©leungchopan/Shutterstock
The Japanese maples’ autumnal color shift and the springtime Cherry Blossom Festival give the bridge an airy, Disney film aspect. Every 20 years, the Japanese government has maintained the Kintai Bridge after designating it a “National Treasure” in 1922. The bridge is currently only seventy years old, having undergone a complete reconstruction following Typhoon Kijia in 1950.
When the first Kintai Bridge was finished in 1673, it was an incredible achievement. The Kintai preserved its original structure—which was finished without the use of metal nails—for three centuries. The precisely matched wooden components were clamped and bound by the builders using massive girders. As a result, the bridge was robust above but feeble below. For the purpose of preventing flooding, the Japanese government was forced to alter the original design.
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