The bridge was built in the early seventeenth century. However, the builder of the bridge is still anonymous. The Japanese Covered Bridge is a beautiful example of Japanese architecture. At one end of the bridge, there is a sculpture of dog and on the other end of the bridge here is a sculpture of monkey. These two animals are symbol of sacredness in Japanese culture. Another reason behind these animal sculptures is that according to the Asian zodiac signs, in the year of monkey and the year of dog many of the Japanese emperors were born. Records also say that the construction of the bridge was initiated in the dog year and was finished in the monkey year.
Inside the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An, there is a temple of the northern god Tran Vo Bac De. This god is considered to be the god of weather. People believe that he controls all kinds of weather changes and natural calamities. So the sailors worship this god and also fear him.
Notes:
Address: At the West end of Tran Phu street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province.
Open daily, all year around
Location: At the West end of Tran Phu street, inside the centre of Hoi An ancient town.
Entrance fee: The bridge is admission free. The temple admission is by Hoi An Day-time ticket.
Highlights:
The bridge is very solidly constructed because the original builders were concerned about the threat of earthquakes. Over the centuries the ornamentation has remained relatively faithful to the original understated Japanese design. The French flattened out the roadway for their motor vehicles, but the original arched shape was restored in 1986.
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