• A0D08 – The 808 Bridges of Naniwa: The Bridges of Dotombori
Ebisubashi Bridge has become a world-famous tourist attraction. It is said that the bridge was first built in the early 17th century, immediately after the excavation of the Dotombori River. Its first incarnation was a wooden bridge, which became an iron bridge in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and then a reinforced concrete bridge in the Taisho era (1912-1926). The current incarnation of the bridge, with its circular shaped plaza and slopes, was completed in 2007. There are numerous bridges to the east and west of Ebisubashi Bridge all along the Dotombori River. In 2004, the riverside promenade Tombori Riverwalk was completed. Popular as a waterfront oasis in the city center, you can take leisurely strolls or enjoy a cruise on a sightseeing boat that passes under the bridges of the Dotombori River.
道頓堀川
地図をみる
08-010
  • Dotombori Bridge

Dotombori Bridge is the widest bridge in Osaka. This bridge was built in 1936 as a bridge across the Dotombori River, and part of the construction of Mido-suji.

08-011
  • Dotombori Bridge c. 1952

You can see from the photo that Mido-suji was once a two-way street.

08-020
  • Ebisubashi Bridge

The newest design of this bridge features a circular shaped plaza that symbolizes the area’s theatrical history, and the slopes that wrap around it lead down to the waterfront, allowing you to enjoy the riverside scenery at a leisurely pace as you descend.

08-021
  • Ebisubashi Bridge in the 1950s

The old Glico sign can be seen on the right-hand side.

08-030
  • Tazaemonbashi Bridge

It is said that the name of this bridge comes from Osaka Tazaemon, an entertainer who opened a kabuki theater on the southeast corner of the bridge. In recent years, when the bridge was renovated, its origins and the presence of numerous theaters in the area were taken into consideration for its wood-based design.

08-031
  • Tazaemonbashi Bridge c. 1958

The bridge that stands today was built in 1958, and it features what was the latest technology at the time.

08-040
  • Aiaubashi Bridge

To the south of this bridge was an area packed with theaters, their yagura towers lined up in a row, to its north the Soemon-cho teahouse district, and a red-light district on the road leading to the bridge. It is said that the coquettish name of the bridge was given because of the vibrant atmosphere of the area around it.

08-041
  • Aiaubashi Bridge c. 1983

During the Edo period it was called Nakabashi Bridge or Shin-Nakabashi Bridge. It also appeared in a passage of the Joruri “Shinju Kasane Izutsu” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon.

08-050
  • Nippombashi Bridge

It is at this bridge where Sakai-suji (the Kishu Kaido highway) passes through Dotombori. During the Edo period (1603-1867) it was a bridge directly managed by Tokugawa Shogunate. The neighborhood on the road leading to the bridge was known as Nagamachi, which was lined with inns and taverns. There was also a pier at the base of the bridge, making it a vibrant hub for both land and water transport.

08-051
  • Nippombashi Bridge in the Meiji era (1868-1912)

The tall building on the right is a fire watchtower.

なにわ八百八橋 〜 道頓堀の橋 〜
  • Dotombori Bridge Tazaemonbashi Bridge Nippombashi Bridge Ebisubashi Bridge Aiaubashi Bridge
A0D08 – The 808 Bridges of Naniwa: The Bridges of Dotombori