【Prefecturally Designated：Historic Site】Ikeda-Bashi Bridge in Shimoji

The Ikeda-Bashi Bridge is along the National Route 390 near the mouth of the Sakita River. It is said that the bridge was constructed with the Shimoji Basuntsu, a main road from Hirara to Kugai, Matsubara, and Kawamitsu, to Sugama, Uechi and Yonaha. In the history book, Yoseikyuki (1727), it is recorded, “Ikeda Bashi is 20 ken in length north to south, three ken across, and height is nine shaku and five sun, at the outlet north of the village.” In another history book, Miyakojima Zaibanki, it is written that the bridge went under major restoration work together with the Shimoji Basuntsu in 1817 after it was ruined for some reason. The bridge is arched and constructed with piled Ryukyu limestone.
According to lore, presently at the 21st century, it is about 470 years old and according to documented records, the bridge is 250 years old. Even with its centuries-old history, the bridge still stands proud and strong.