A 19th century granite bridge at the entrance to Akizuki.
Megane Bashi (glasses bridge) was built in the 7th year of the Bunka period (1810). It was originally made of wood but replaced with granite as the structure was frequently washed away by the Notori River during floods.
The bridge is officially called Nagasaki Bridge but is commonly known as Megane Bashi; inspired by Nagasaki’s own Megane Bashi, built over the Nakashima River. Kuroda Naganobu (Akizuki's 8th feudal lord) had seen Nagasaki's bridge and hoped to recreate it in Akizuki. Under the management of chief retainer Miyazaki Oribe, construction took nearly two years but the bridge collapsed just before it was completed. Some believe that this incident hastened the death of Naganobu, who was in bed at the time.
The structure was designated a Tangible Cultural Property in April 1956 due it being made of granite, a rare construction material in Bunka period Japan.
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