Tsujunkyo Bridge 通潤橋 - Yamato
Kumamoto's unique aqueduct
Tsujunkyo Bridge is one of Kumamoto’s lesser known treasures. Built in 1854 it is not only Japan’s largest stone aqueduct but also it’s most unusual due to it’s dramatic water release designed to remove silt from the water channels. On certain days it’s also possible to walk on top of the bridge and watch the water release close up.
Tsujunkyo bridge background
Tsujun Bridge is located in the rural town of Yamato on the outer southern edge of the Aso caldera. Built to carry water to irrigate the difficult to reach rice fields of the Shiraito plain. After several years of repairs due to damage from the Kumamoto earthquakes of 2016 and torrential rain of 2018, the bridge is now back in full working order and has recently been designated a national treasure.
How to watch the Tsujun Bridge water release
The water release takes place on from April to November from 1pm. A giant spray of water gushes out from each side of the bridge for about 20 minutes. In general you can see the water release from Thursday to Sunday, on public holidays and sometimes on Wednesdays.
You can view the gushing water from below the bridge for free. But to get closer to Tsujunkyo and to walk across the top of the aqueduct, you need to buy a ticket from the roadside station shop in the carpark. For 500 Yen (200 Yen for children) you will get a fabric sticker which will allow you access to the bridge between 10 am and 15:00. Tickets are limited to 300 per day and last entry is at 14:30.
Tsujunkyo Bridge Access Information
Tsujunkyo Bridge can be viewed for free all year round.
However, walking along the top of the bridge is only possible from April until November from 10:00 am to 15:00*. (Last entrance at 14:30)
Water is released from the bridge at !3:00 for around 20 minutes from April – Nov *
*Bridge Access & Water release is possible from Thursday to Sunday. Usually access is closed on Monday and Tuesday except if they are public holidays. Wednesdays have irregular holidays.
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Bridge access Adults 500 Yen
Children (6 to 15) 200 Yen - Access to bridge 10:00 to 15:00
- Water release at 13:00 for 25 minutes (usually Thurs - Sun, April - Nov)
- Large free car park
- Free toilets
- Local foods restaurant & products
- Footpath to Gorogataki Falls
- Higanbana lilies bloom from mid to late September. Cherry blossom in late March
What else can you do in Yamato Town?
A short walk from Tsujunkyo bridge is the dramatic 50m high Gorogataki Falls. On sunny days there’s a high chance of seeing a rainbow in the spray from the suspension bridge viewpoint.
Hassaku festival takes place in early September with dynamic and sometimes super cute creations all made from natural forraged objects paraded through the street. These are on display throughout the town all year.
A short drive from Yamato Town is the Seiwabunraku puppet theatre and museum. Here you can see puppets on display and watch performances of this traditional art.
