Chikugo River Lift Bridge

The Chikugo River vertical lift bridge in Saga was built in 1935 and converted into a pedestrian bridge in 1996. Today it is a symbol of the Morodomi people.

General description
This vertical lift bridge that spans the Chikugo River, the largest in Kyūshū, is one of the few such constructions in the world, and an important symbol of the Morodomi people in Saga prefecture. The bridge has a total extension of 507 meters and a movable part located between two 30-meter towers that can be raised up to 23 meters to allow the passage of ships.

Built in 1935, this east bridge was closed in 1987 when the railway line that crossed it was eliminated. Later, however, it was given a new life as a pedestrian bridge, reopening in 1996. The moving part drops eight times a day to allow passage between Morodomi and the city of Ōkawa across the river in Fukuoka prefecture.

The Chikugo River Vertical Lift Bridge is today a popular tourist attraction by day and a romantic trail by night, and remains open to pedestrians even when the insert is raised, so visitors can walk to the central towers. In 2003 the bridge was designated for its historical relevance as a property of cultural importance for its preservation.

Curiosities

 * The bridge is the place of Jofuku Cycling Road which is a Jokufu cycling road there is a ceramic path dedicated to a Chinese man named Jokufu (Chinese name: Xu Fu). The history of Jofuku's arrival in Japan is recorded on this path.


 * A xu-fu statue can also be found on the Saga side of the bridge, indicating Yugiri's clear relationship with the bartender.

In ZLS
In Saga jihen's MV, starring Yugiri, this is the main location of Franchouchou's choreography