Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge
Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge spans Tsugaru Fujimi Lake in Tsuruta Town, Aomori Prefecture, serving as both a functional monitoring structure and a celebrated tourist destination. Completed on July 8, 1994, the bridge was built to monitor water conditions in the lake, which serves as an important irrigation reservoir originally developed during the Edo period. The reservoir's embankment construction began in 1660 under feudal lord Nobumasa Tsugaru and was completed in 1960, with the embankment stretching 4,187 meters, making it the longest in Japan.
The bridge holds the distinction of being Japan's longest triple-arched wooden bridge, measuring 300 meters in total length. Constructed entirely from Aomori cypress using traditional Japanese architectural techniques, the pier foundation utilizes over 700 logs that are each more than 150 years old. The design draws inspiration from cranes, with the bridge's three arches resembling a pair of red-crowned cranes in flight. Rest areas positioned along the bridge represent the heads of male and female cranes, while handrails feature cross designs symbolizing the harmonization of Eastern and Western cultures, reflecting Tsuruta's identity as a town of international cultural exchange.
Visitors can walk across the bridge while enjoying views of Mount Iwaki reflected on the lake surface, an image famously featured in JR East promotional materials. The scenic experience changes dramatically with the seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to crimson foliage in autumn and snow-covered landscapes in winter. The bridge is particularly striking at sunset when bathed in orange and red hues. A local belief holds that crossing the bridge brings longevity, contributing to its nickname "Nagaiki-no-Hashi" (bridge of long life).
From Tokyo, travelers can take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station (approximately 3.5 hours), then transfer to the JR Gono Line to Mutsu-Tsuruda Station (about 65 minutes total from Shin-Aomori). The bridge is a 10-minute taxi ride from Mutsu-Tsuruda Station or a 20-minute taxi ride from Goshogawara Station. The scenic Resort Shirakami limited express train also stops at Mutsu-Tsuruda Station, offering a picturesque journey along the coast.
