Yamasen Railway Bridge

Built in 1899 based on designs by a British engineer, the Yamasen Railway Bridge is a former railway bridge that now serves as a pedestrian bridge spanning the headwaters of the Chitose River along the shores of Lake Shikotsu. Constructed as a British-made double Warren truss bridge with distinctive X-shaped diagonal members, its vivid red structure stands out beautifully against the surrounding natural scenery and has become an iconic symbol of Lake Shikotsu. Today, it is also a popular, highly photogenic sightseeing spot.

Originally, the bridge was built over the Sorachi River as part of the Hokkaido Government Railway’s Kamikawa Line (now the Hakodate Line). In 1923 (Taisho 12), it was sold to Oji Paper and relocated to its current site for use on a dedicated light railway. It remained in active railway service until 1951, when it was decommissioned due to aging and other factors. In 1967, the bridge was donated to Chitose City and repurposed as a pedestrian bridge.

Following a three-year dismantling and restoration project that began in 1995, the bridge was recognized in 2007 as a Modern Industrial Heritage site, part of a group of assets that tell the story of Japan’s paper industry and its expansion into Hokkaido in pursuit of domestic paper self-sufficiency.