KochiTravel

The Spectacular Teshui Port Drawbridge – A Full 32 Meters Rising Nearly Vertical into the Sky

About this spot

A 32-meter scissor-lift drawbridge at the entrance to Teshui Port that raises nearly vertically when ships pass through. The sight of the road standing like a wall pointing skyward is stunning and has become a popular spot for photos of a "road to the sky." A schedule showing opening and closing times is posted at the bridge entrance; watching the barrier lower and the bridge slowly rise is a spectacular moment that captivates even those not particularly interested in machinery. Teshui Port itself is a historically significant harbor reportedly built by Nonakai Kaneyama, the senior retainer of the Tosa clan, and is one of Japan's oldest cutting harbors. The contrast between the remaining stone-wall embankments of the small harbor and the modern working drawbridge offers a fascinating study in old and new civil engineering.

Tips

The bridge's opening and closing times are fixed, so check the schedule at the bridge entrance or with Kanan City tourism information for accurate times. It's about a 20-minute walk from Yasu Station or Ya-shii Park along the coastal road with little shade, so bring water.