Nikko’s Sacred Bridge (Shinkyo Bridge)

There’s a red bridge in Nikko that’s sacred. It’s so sacred that not everyone was allowed to cross it back in the old days. I initially thought it was reserved for nobility but online research revealed to me that only messengers from the Imperial Palace were allowed to cross it. Interesting. So, is this bridge worth a visit?

If you’re going to be in Nikko to visit it’s many World Heritage spots, you’re probably going to pass by this bridge whether you want to or not. It’s a spot to visit in conjunction with any other spots you may want to see in Nikko, be that the Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple or even the bridge’s owner, Futarasan Shrine.

I didn’t find the bridge to be mind blowing in any way but many visitors seem to enjoy gawking at it. It’s a tourist spot for a reason and it helps that the bridge made it as a World Heritage site. It also helps that this bright red bridge stands out against stunning, natural scenery: Nikko’s trees in the back and a sacred river below.

I managed to take a much needed selfie with this bridge and it was somewhat of a rush to do because one wrong move or a slight slip of the hand and your phone could become one with the river below.

What was riskier than taking a selfie was taking a photo over the river itself just to capture the sacred Shinkyo Bridge. I managed to do it just fine but I don’t recommend anyone to risk their phone for the sake of a photo unless you have a pop grip on. Silly me…

I couldn’t find my “amazing” selfie with this sacred bridge and am hoping I have it saved somewhere. Maybe I’ll run into it one day. For now, I’m content to have at least found my photo(s) of the sacred Shinkyo Bridge.

What do you think of this bridge?