Shinkyo Bridge is a bridge across the river at the entrance to Nikko shrines and temples, a World Heritage Site. It is one of the three most beautiful bridges in Japan, together with Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni, and Saruhashi Bridge in Yamanashi and Otsuki.

It is known as the sacred bridge, painted in a striking red, being associated with many mystical legends since ancient times. Some call it the "Twin Snake Bridge". According to legend, while the gods were crossing this river, two snakes transformed into a bridge so that the gods could cross the river.

Shinkyo Bridge is 28 meters long, 7.4 meters wide, and 10.6 meters high. The current structure of the bridge was built in 1636, but its begining time of the construction is unclear. It was opened to the public in 1973, and was renovated in the late 1990s, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Opening hours: Open daily 08:30 - 16:30

Admission fee:
Adults 300 yen to cross the bridge
High school students: 200 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen

How to Get There:
Take the Shinkansen from "Tokyo" Station and get off at "Utsunomiya" Station. From Utsunomiya Station, take the JR Nikko Line and get off at "Nikko" Station. It takes about 30 minutes on foot from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station to reach the bridge. You can also take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station. Take the Tobu bus bound for Chuzenji-ko and get off at the "Shinkyo" stop.