Kazurabashi Bridge

Kazurabashi (かずら橋) is a famous vine bridge located in the Iya Valley of Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. It is one of Japan’s three most unusual bridges (alongside Kintai Bridge in Yamaguchi and Saruhashi in Yamanashi) and is known for its rustic, swaying structure, which provides a thrilling experience for visitors.

The bridge is located in the Iya Valley of Tokushima Prefecture, and stretches 45m (147ft) across the Iya river.  Originally, there were 13 of these bridges built along the Iya valley, but as time withered away the vines and wood, as well as the need for them, all but 3 cease to exist. The Kazurabashi Bridge is the longest of the 3 remaining bridge, and can only be walked across from one direction. 

The bridge is believed to have been first built by the Heike clan (a samurai family who fled to the Iya Valley after losing the Genpei War in the 12th century). The vines were supposedly used so the bridge could be cut down easily if enemies tried to follow. The current version of the bridge is rebuilt every three years using hardy vines like Actinidia arguta, reinforced with hidden steel cables for safety.