The Japanese Bridge, or Japanese Covered Bridge (Vietnamese: chùa Cầu), has a history of more than 400 years and is considered a symbol of the prosperity of the ancient land of Hoi An. Its architecture blends influences from Vietnam, China, and Japan, with extremely intricate details. To learn more, let’s explore this priceless historical place with Vietdreamtravel!

Overview of the Japanese Bridge

The Japanese Bridge is an ancient bridge connecting Tran Phu and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets, the main roads in the southwest of Hoi An ancient town. The bridge spans a small creek connecting to the Hoai River.

Japanese Bridge

Japanese merchants originally built the bridge around the mid-16th century, so it is also called the Japanese Bridge. According to legend, the structure reassured the Namazu, a sea monster with a head in India, a body in Vietnam, and a tail in Japan; whenever Namazu moved, it caused floods and earthquakes in these areas.

In 1653, a temple was built on the northern slope of the bridge, so the bridge was called Chùa Cầu (meaning Pagoda & Bridge); however, it does not worship any Buddha. In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu visited Hoi An and named the bridge “Lai Vien Kieu”, meaning “Bridge to welcome guests from afar”.

Japanese Bridge

In 1817, 1865, 1915, and 1986, the temple was restored, and Japanese architecture was replaced with bold Vietnamese-Chinese designs. On February 17, 1990, the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic.

Explore the uniqueness of the Japanese Bridge

The Japanese Bridge is about 18 m long, about 3 m wide, and blends Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architecture. According to the plan, the bridge structure consists of 3 main parts: the two ends and the middle section of the bridge body.

Japanese Bridge

Each end of the bridge has 3 spans and is built of brick, and the middle section has 5 spans supported by brick pillars set into the water. All of the building’s frame systems are made of wood, and there are 3 roof systems corresponding to the 3 bridge parts.

Japanese Bridge

In the middle of the bridge is the entrance to the “Pagoda”. It’s called a “Pagoda”, but in fact, it doesn’t worship Buddha; it worships Xuanwu, a revered deity in Chinese religion, also one of the higher-ranking deities in Taoism who specializes in controlling storms and floods, protecting the country, and bringing joy and happiness to people according to Chinese beliefs.

Japanese Bridge

Statue of Xuanwu in Japanese Bridge
The statue of Xuanwu in the Japanese Bridge

Above the entrance to the altar room is a sign with the three words “Lai Vien Kieu”. Under the sign, there are two door eyes, a bold architectural detail of Hoi An.

Japanese Bridge

The wooden frame systems adapt to the bridge’s curved shape. Some trusses and roof rafters feature embossed Chinese characters. In addition, the Japanese Bridge preserves many stone steles that record the history of the project and Hoi An.

Japanese Bridge

The building’s roof is covered with yin-yang tiles, with sophisticated decorative details along the ridge and flowing banks. In particular, blue glazed ceramics are inlaid on the roof.

roof of Japanese Bridge

At both ends of the bridge stand statues of a spirit monkey (right) and a dog (left). These mascots are considered a pair that guards and protects the Japanese Bridge and is solemnly worshiped. 

Japanese Bridge

The origin of these mascots is unknown. One theory is that the monkeys and dogs represent the time of the bridge’s construction. In particular, in 1990, the Japanese Bridge was recognized by the state as a national historical and cultural relic, and its image appears on the 20,000 VND banknote.

20.000VND note in Japanese Bridge

Source: collected by An

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