Statues of Kirin

The Statues of Kirin are bronze sculptures located on Nihonbashi Bridge in Chuo City, Tokyo. The bridge has deep historical roots, originally constructed in 1603 as a wooden structure during the Edo period. After burning down and being rebuilt multiple times, the current stone bridge was completed in 1911. Nihonbashi served as the starting point of all Japanese roads and continues to function as the kilometer zero marker for Japan's national highway network, earning the district its reputation as the "center of Japan."

The Kirin statues represent mythical creatures from East Asian folklore, similar to the Chinese qilin. These beings possess the body of a deer, the face of a dragon, the tail of a bull, and the hooves of a horse with scales and horns. In Japanese culture, they symbolize prosperity and good fortune. The Nihonbashi statues feature a unique design element: unlike traditional depictions, these Kirin have wings. Sculptor Osao Watanabe added wings to symbolize Tokyo's aspiration to soar skyward from this central location. The statues showcase wayō-setchū design, a Japanese-Western fusion style characteristic of the Meiji era.

Visitors can view the statues from the bridge itself or from river cruise boats passing underneath. The sculptures are particularly photogenic at night when illuminated by lanterns, though some lighting may occasionally malfunction. The statues have gained additional cultural significance through their appearance in literature, notably in Keigo Higashino's novel "Kirin no Tsubasa" (Wings of the Kirin). Observers often note interesting details such as the paired mouths representing "a" and "un" sounds, the first and last sounds in the Japanese alphabet. The bridge also features lion statues bearing the Crest of the Tokyo Metropolis.

The site is accessible via Nihonbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, approximately a five-minute walk from Exit A3. Visitors from Shinjuku can take the Marunouchi Line to Tokyo Station and transfer to the Tozai Line. The statues are viewable at all times with no admission fee. The location sits directly beneath an elevated highway, which affects photography and ambiance, though there are plans to eventually reroute this highway.