Nishikihashi/Nishiki Bridge

Nishikibashi Bridge is a bridge over the Tosabori River, located just steps from Osaka Metro Higobashi Station. It lies on the south side of Asahi Festival Hall and measures 55.1 meters in length and 10.6 meters in width. In 1931, it was built as the Tosabori River movable weir (Tosabori-gawa Kadōzeki) in order to purify stagnant and heavily polluted water. After the war, however, several canals were filled in and operation of movable weirs was halted; the Tosabori River movable weir at Nishikibashi also no longer serves its original function today. In 1985, about 50 years after its construction, the bridge deck underwent beautification improvements: the asphalt surface was replaced with gray tile paving, while the lighting fixtures were restored to the original design from the time of construction. Around this time, the bridge also came to be called “Nishikibashi.” During the improvements, to help people learn about Nakanoshima’s history, ceramic tile reproductions of nishiki-e prints depicting bridges from the late Edo to early Meiji period were installed. Because this gallery-like display resembles nishiki-e prints, the bridge name was changed to Nishikibashi.