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For ages, the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An has symbolized not just a tourist attraction in the old town but a fusion of the land's essence and its people. It serves as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future, spanning over 400 years of history ingrained in the subconscious of every native born and raised on this thousand-year-old land of Hoi An. Today, the bridge stands tall, solemn, a silent witness to a bygone era, yet still shining brightly in the streets of Hoi An.
The allure of Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge in 2017.
The dreamy beauty of Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge under the radiant sunset (photo courtesy of MyTour).
The Timeless Charm of Japanese Covered Bridge
Someone once likened the Japanese Covered Bridge as the beacon of Hoi An tourism, the love of residents, and the nostalgia of travelers, and indeed, they were not wrong. Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge gracefully spans a small branch of the Thu Bon River, embracing the city year-round, surrounded by the thousand-year-old historical quarter. Somewhere amidst the ancient streets, there's a hint of melancholy, yet brimming with faith and hope for a bright future. Here, the people dream endlessly and remain optimistic about life.
Tranquil beauty in the streets of Hoi An (photo courtesy of MyTour)
The venerable Japanese Covered Bridge stands serenely amidst the bustling streets of modern Hoi An. It has witnessed countless changes in history, weathering the tides of time and, most importantly, embodying the fusion of unique cultures, adorning the streets of Hoi An with an unparalleled beauty of today.
The ancient charm of Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge (photo courtesy of MyTour)
Hoi An Ancient Town was once a bustling trading port, where merchants from different countries gathered to trade goods among themselves and with domestic traders. This is a place that still preserves many traces of cultures blending together in the 16th-17th centuries. Particularly noteworthy is the fusion of Southeast Asian cultures with East Asian cultures such as China, Japan, and Korea. Therefore, the Japanese Covered Bridge is an architectural masterpiece that encapsulates unique elements and cultural essence of Vietnam and other cultures, harmoniously yet distinctively.
Tranquil Hoi An Old Town today (photo courtesy of MyTour)
The Architectural Legacy of the Land of the Rising Sun
The Japanese Covered Bridge now stands at the junction of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street and Tran Phu Street, in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam. The bridge spans approximately 18 meters with a roof to shelter from rain and sun, crossing a small branch of the tranquil Thu Bon River. Legend has it that in 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Lai visited the bridge and bestowed upon it three words, “Lai Van Kieu,” meaning “You came from afar,” as a gesture of admiration and love for this place's scenery and as a mark of the Lord's footsteps on this land.
Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge with its unique impression (photo courtesy of MyTour)
Artfully positioned on a bridge, with cool flowing water beneath and a peaceful roof above, the Japanese Covered Bridge is a quintessential representation of traditional architecture from the Far East. It's one of the meaningful tourist attractions in Hoi An, offering a perfect stop for its unique architecture, with intricately carved wooden columns, meticulously painted and adorned.
It's often said that Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge bears many characteristic architectural features of Japanese culture, especially the statues of standing animals, which are guardian deities. According to Japanese beliefs, these are the monkey and the solemn dog statues. Another legend recounts that the bridge construction began in the Year of the Monkey but wasn't completed until the Year of the Dog, hence these statues were erected to commemorate it. Regardless of their symbolism, these guardian animals continue to protect the temple day and night, remaining serene amidst the tranquil life of this classical piece of Hoi An tourism.
From a distance, the Japanese Covered Bridge stands out with its graceful, curved roofline, reminiscent of a rainbow, illuminating a corner of the ancient, yet modern, bustling and vibrant, culturally rich and religiously diverse old town.
Renowned for its outstanding architectural beauty, the Japanese Covered Bridge was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1990, becoming a must-visit destination in Hoi An. An interesting fact that many tourists may overlook is that the image of the Japanese Covered Bridge is printed on the 20,000 Vietnamese dong polymer banknote, highlighting the immense value, both spiritually and practically, of this ancient temple.
The harmonious beauty of the Japanese Covered Bridge amidst the streets of Hoi An (photo courtesy of MyTour)
The Temple...but not for Buddha
Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge is called a temple but does not worship Buddha; instead, it venerates Bac De Tran Vo – a guardian deity of the land, bringing joy and happiness to the people on this land. Therefore, every year, not only locals but also tourists come here, not just to explore but also to find some tranquility and peace for their restless souls.
The Japanese Covered Bridge is also known as the Japanese Bridge because it and the temple were built by Japanese merchants in the early 17th century, with the roof symbolizing a sword piercing the back of the mamazu monster – a creature causing earthquakes and disasters, with the desire to bring peace to the trading port, where trade converges. It can be affirmed that Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge is a symbol of cultural exchange and architecture among three countries: Vietnam, Japan, and China.
The magnificent scene of the Japanese Covered Bridge illuminated under the night lights (photo courtesy of MyTour)
Time keeps flowing, lives come and go through the ups and downs of Hoi An's ancient town, but the Japanese Covered Bridge still stands dignified, witnessing it all. Layers of time's dust keep accumulating, sometimes it seems this structure will fade into oblivion, but no, the Japanese Covered Bridge will always remain beautiful like the warm heart of Hoi An in the hearts of its people and countless visitors. When you visit Hoi An, don't forget to come here once to feel and reminisce about something ancient and tranquil amidst the hustle and bustle of life. People may forget each other, but the past remains, reminding us to cherish the past and live fully in the present.
