Jiu Xiang Mo Chuan Qiao Jiao

The Old Sagami River Bridge Piers (Kyu Sagamigawa Kyokyaku) is an extraordinary archaeological site located in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Originally constructed in 1198 by the samurai Inage Shigetani, this historical bridge once spanned the Sagami River. According to historical records, the famous shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo attended the bridge's completion ceremony, making it a site of significant cultural and historical importance from the Kamakura period.

For centuries, the bridge was thought to be lost to history, buried deep under the riverbed due to changing river courses and natural sediment accumulation. However, the immense seismic forces of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake caused liquefaction and ground upheaval, which miraculously brought these ancient wooden pillars back to the surface.

Today, these well-preserved pillars stand as a testament to medieval Japanese engineering and the powerful geological forces that shape the region. Visitors can explore the site and view the preserved artifacts, offering a rare, tangible connection to Japan's 12th-century history. The site is officially designated as a National Historic Site.