Overview of Japanese Covered Bridge
The Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most attractive cultural destinations in Hoi An Vietnam. It was built in the 17th century and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Nowadays, Hoi An Japanese Bridge has become an iconic symbol of Hoi An Ancient Town and is the honor of being printed in Vietnam’s 20,000 VND banknote. Traveling to Hoi An Vietnam, a Japanese covered bridge is a must-visit spot. In this article, you will find a lot of useful information about the Japanese Bridge Hoi An as well as what you should know before traveling.
History of Japanese Covered Bridge
The Japanese Covered Bridge, known as Cau Pagoda (Chùa Cầu), was built in the 17th century with Japanese businessmen’s assistance. As a result, the bridge has been associated with a monster’s legend called Namazu. Specifically, Namazu is a Japanese mythological monster whose movements cause earthquakes and floods. Its head is located in India, while its body is in Vietnam and its tail in Japan.
The bridge was built with the belief of a magical sword to pin down Namazu’s back. Therefore, the monster could not wriggle, preventing natural disasters in Vietnam, Japan, and India. Hence, the lives of people in these three countries would happen in peace and prosperity.
In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu visited Hoi An and carved the bridge’s name in 3 Chinese characters on the entrance, which means “Lai Vien Kieu” in Vietnamese and “the bridge to receive guests from afar” in English. Besides, the pagoda was named “Japanese Bridge” or “Japanese Covered Bridge” since it was mainly constructed by Japanese people.
On February 17, 1990, the bridge was recognized as a National Historic – Cultural Heritage Site.
The Architecture of the Japanese Covered Bridge
The bridge is 18 meters long, connecting Tran Phu Street (the Chinese quarter) on the eastern side and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (the Japanese quarter) on the western side. It crosses the Thu Bon River, bringing a serene and nostalgic atmosphere.
The bridge and the top were built mainly with red lacquered wood, while the base was constructed with stone. Although it is commonly called “Japanese Bridge”, the architecture is an ingenious combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese culture, from the material, design to patterns and decorations.
The bridge highlights the Japanese style with a stunning curved roof, which covers every inch of the bridge. The roof was decorated with yin and yang patterns, which represents Vietnamese culture and architecture.
There are small corridors and benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the pure air on each side of the bridge. The temple is separated from the bridge by a thin wooden wall.
At the entrance and at the exit of the bridge there is a dog and a monkey respectively. They represent the guardians of the bridge, since they symbolize protection and safety in Japanese culture. It is also said that these two statues marked the beginning of the construction in the year of Monkey and the completion in the year of Dog.
The Renovation of the Japanese Covered Bridge
The Japanese Covered Bridge has gone through7 renovations over 400 years, particularly in 1763, 1815, 1875, 1917, 1962, 1986, and 1996. Some small adjustments have been made on the roof, floor, and pillars. Especially, local government and UNESCO have renovated this place in 2024.
The Minh Huong Commune, a village in Hoi An at that time, was accredited for the first 3 renovations of the bridge. During the French colonial period, the French converted the pedestrian-only bridge into one that supports motorized vehicles in 1917.
In 1962, the Quang Nam provincial government continued to repair the Japanese Bridge. The bridge was restored to its original pedestrian-only design in 1986. The last two renovations in 1986 and 1996 were regarded as the most substantial ones.
The bridge has been downgraded since the last renovation due to various floods in Hoi An City. Many poles and beams that support the bridge have deteriorated, emphasizing urgent maintenance before it collapses.
Therefore, the Quang Nam provincial government approved a nearly one-million-dollar project to preserve the bridge. The actual work started in early 2020, aiming to maintain the bridge’s existence.
Interesting facts about the Japanese Covered Bridge
Before visiting the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, you should read this useful information to understand more about the specialty of these cultural relics.
The Vietnamese Dong bill features the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An
The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An has been a symbol and a soul of Hoi An Ancient Town. An image of the bridge was chosen to print on the back of Vietnam’s 20,000 VND banknote, ensuring the special meaning of this famous place to Vietnamese people.
The temple does not worship Buddha
Unlike other temples, the Cau Pagoda does not worship Buddha, but venerates the northern deity Tran Vo Bac De, the god of happiness, wealth and health in Hoi An. Therefore, the Bridge Pagoda in Hoi An is not only a prominent tourist attraction, but also a religious site for local people to ease their minds and pray for best wishes.
The Japanese Bridge has two separate parts
The Bridge Pagoda in Hoi An has two distinguished parts: the bridge and the temple. Therefore, it was called “Chua Cau” in Vietnamese (“Chua” = “temple”, “Cau” = “bridge”).
The bridge was built first over the Thu Bon River, while the temple was built 60 years later on the north side of the bridge. Once you decide to visit the monument, you should not miss any of these two places.
Japanese Covered Bridge Map
How to get to Japanese Covered Bridge
- Location: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
- Opening Hours: 24 hours every day (might be different on Christmas Eve)
- Entrance Fee: all entry permissions of the monuments, even the Japanese Covered Bridge, etc. included already
For Vietnamese visitors: 80.000 VND / person
For International visitors: 120.00 VND / person
The Japanese Covered Bridge is situated at the western end of Hoi An Ancient Town. Visitors can get to the bridge by starting at the Central Market and walking down Tran Phu Street. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants along both sides of the street, thus you can enjoy a cold drink or a delicious meal before sightseeing. Once you reach the end of the street, you will see the entrance of the bridge.
For travelers who want to visit Japanese Covered Bridge with private services, you can book a private tour from Vietnam Shore Excursions. Professional and knowledgeable tour guides will share profoundly many interesting stories about Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An Ancient Town, as well as the local life of local people during the tour. Here are some Hoi An Tours which customers can find out and book for you and your group.
Tips for visitors to Japanese Bridge in Hoi An
- The best time to visit the monument is from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., when it is less crowded.
- Aside from visiting the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, visitors can participate in folk games and watch street performances from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day in Old Town.
- Visitors should experience a cruise trip on a bamboo boat along the canal at night. With beautiful lights, vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere, you can feel every subtle feature of Old Town.
- Tourists should hire a tour guide to maximize their experience. The tour guides will tell you the exact location of the bridge, explain the history and the special architecture of the bridge specifically.
After visiting the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, visitors should get to other attractions in Hoi An Ancient Town, such as Quan Cong Temple, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Ancient House and so on. These places are also famous historical sites in Hoi An City.
The Japanese Bridge Hoi An is a famous destination you won’t regret visiting at least once in your life. Coming there, you will enhance your knowledge about history and feel the nostalgic features among the hustle and bustle of life. We will treasure our national culture and what we have now more than ever before. Don’t forget to make bookings in advance to have the best experience at 5-star standard resorts and discover the culture of Hoi An.
