Nihonbashi Bridge, Nakasendo

The original Nihonbashi Bridge was built at the request of shogun Tokugawa leyasu in the early 1600s.  At the time, all highway distances to Tokyo were measured from one central location, making it the starting point for the five major roads and the center of Japan.

The current twin arch stone bridge was built in 1911.  The kirin statue in the centre of the bridge depicts the prosperity of Tokyo and the lion statues on the four corners depict protection.