History & Architecture of Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An

Japanese Covered Bridge Construction

The Japanese Covered Bridge of Hoi An was constructed by Japanese people in the beginning of 17th century, to connect their living/trading quarter (present-day Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street) with the China town (present-day Tran Phu street). It spans a small stream named ‘O O’ which originates from the sound of the water while it runs (the bluster). Up to date, it’s still called by locals ‘the Japanese Covered Bridge’.

At that time, the Japanese community believed that a giant water monster stretching from India to Japan was alive. When it moves, earthquakes occur in Japan (hometown) and also annual floods in Hoi An (second hometown). On the map, Hoi An is the middle of this monster, therefore they decided to build a bridge here, and it would symbolize a sword to stab deeply into the monster’s body. After that, the monster no longer could cause any other disasters to humans.

Today, the Japanese Covered Bridge has a unique architecture, known as ‘thuong gia ha kieu’ style (meaning: ‘house/building above, bridge below’). The bridge part itself is nearly level, paved by wood with two small pedestrian paths (higher a little bit than the floor), and supported by brick columns. A balcony was added in its front also, allowing visitors to view the river/the harbour and guarantee their safety. No surprise, here is a favourite photo spot for many tourists. The bridge is covered by clay tiles produced in Thanh Ha Pottery Village (Hoi An), giving it the name ‘Japanese Covered Bridge’. On the top of the roof, there are a couple of dragons fighting the sun (luong long chau nhat motif).

About the direction, the entire bridge and temple faces south, the most favourite direction (to build something) in Vietnamese culture. Its entrances look to the east and west. On the west entrance (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street), a pomegranate is used for decoration, representing the wish for many children and wealth. On the east entrance (Tran Phu street), it’s buddha hand fruit, representing good luck, and good life.

In Nguyen Thi Minh Khai entrance, there is a pair of monkey statues (each one holds a peach). A pair of dog statues (each one wears a ring) are on the other side. Locals believe that Japanese people placed them there, to represent the Monkey year and the Dog year (in Asian zodiac calendar). And, the period of 2 years between them is how long they built the Japanese Covered Bridge. Today, four animal statues are holy, and are wearing a piece of red fabric. One of the dog statues was remade in 1956 (others retain the original). In Hoi An, locals call them ‘four fairy ladies of the Japanese Covered Bridge’.

The Japanese Covered Bridge is one of a few cultural heritages left behind by Japanese people in Hoi An after they went home. Near rice fields of Tra Que village, it’s possible to find Japanese merchant’s tombs.

Chinese Restoration and Addition

In 1653, when Japanese people had left Hoi An, the Chinese community restored the Japanese Covered Bridge and constructed a small temple in its back. Since then, locals have been calling it ‘the Pagoda Bridge’ (Vietnamese: Chua Cau). Vietnamese people use this name more than the Japanese Covered Bridge, and from the foreigner side, it’s the opposite.

The Chinese temple in the Japanese Covered Bridge has been used to worship Xuanwu god (or Tran Vu Bac De or the Black emperor), a high-ranking deity in Taoism. He was able to control natural disasters (flood, typhoons, drought,…) as well as bless good luck, good health, good business, and wealth. His statue is in the middle of the temple, made of jackfruit wood, and is characterized by a black color, a representation of his direction – the north or his season – the winter. Unfortunately, it’s damaged by humid weather. Local authorities replaced it by another statue, with the exact same sizes, and later preserved it in Hoi An History Museum. The god holds a sword with a snake wrapping around it and one of his feet steps on a tortoise. In a legend, these animals are his stomach and intestines.

Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord’s Visit

In 1719, when Hoi An was one of the busiest international trading ports in the region, reigning Nguyen Phuc Chu lord (1675-1725) visited the town. He also stopped at the Japanese Covered Bridge and gave it a gift. That was a red-lacquered wooden board (145cm x 59cm), with three golden Chinese letters: ‘Lai Vien Kieu’ (meaning: The bridge that received friends from afar). This special name board is still hung up above the door of the bridge’s temple today. Below it, there are a couple of wooden eyes in daisy flower shape. Historians say that ‘door eyes’ are unseen anywhere else in the world, except Hoi An Ancient Town. In local belief, they watch and guard the house/temple as well as bring peacefulness and ward off evils and devils. Around the town, About 20 styles of door eyes are recorded.

Renovations at Japanese Covered Bridge

Due to its age and local weather, the Japanese Covered Bridge was restored many times (in 1653, 1763, 1817, 1865, 1915, 1917, and 1986). On the surface of wooden bars (near the roof) and memorial stone steles (near entrances), the information about these restorations are carved in Chinese language. No matter which century, carpenters at Kim Bong Village would be ones who worked and renovated the bridge in every detail, by hand. For that reason, the Japanese Covered Bridge becomes historical evidence of friendship between Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese people. Likewise, it symbolizes the economic and cultural integration between Vietnam and the rest of the world.

The latest renovation started from December 2022, with an assistance of experts from Japan. Total cost was up to 20,2 billion Vietnamese dong, extracted from budget of Quang Nam province (50%) and Hoi An city (50%). However, due to new excavation findings and debates about its original elements, the program must to be completed 1 year late. In August 2024, the Japanese Covered Bridge was opened to visitors again, on occasion of the 20th Hoi An Japan Culture Exchange, an annual event to encourage cultural exchanges.

Honors & Designations for Japanese Covered Bridge

Due to its iconic image and high historical values, the Japanese Covered Bridge was featured on the official logo of the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, and the official logo of Hoi An city. On the city’s logo, it lies within a circle, symbolizing the full moon lantern festival, another famous attraction. This logo was designed by a French Vietnamese artist living in Paris, who made 18 different options to let city leaders choose from.

On 17th May 2006, the blue banknote of a face value 20,000 VND was issued, featuring the Japanese Covered Bridge. From local authorities, this bridge symbolizes international integration and friendship between countries. 

The Japanese Covered Bridge is seen on the logos of so many local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, travel companies, coffee shops, etc.

In 1999, the Hoi An Old Town where the Japanese Covered Bridge stands, was honored as a Unesco world heritage site.