1622 (Genna 8)

During the Edo period (1600-1867), there were only 12 publicly founded bridges, located along the big roads and the direct entrance to the Castle, in Osaka. In contrast, nearly 200 bridges called “Machi-bashi (town bridges)” were built and managed by the local merchants. That shows how prosperous they were!

Shinsai Okada, one of four merchants who dug a canal and built the Nagahori River, moved to Nagahori-Shinsaibashi after the construction was finished. To commute from one side of the Nagahori River to the other, he built the bridge in 1622 (Genna 8). That is why the bridge is called “Shinsai-bashi (Shinsai’s bridge).” The original wooden bridge, Shinsaibashi, was 35-meter long and 4 meter wide.

	There were hardly any paintings of Shinsaibashi bridge in the Edo period. In this picture, only a part of the bridge can be seen on the left.
"Hanashi no Sakigake/ Nihen" 1844 (Tempo 15)

	With the limited resources and guidance from collaborators, the restored bridge can be seen here.
A restored model of wooden bridge "Shinsaibashi"

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1873 (Meiji 6)

The original wooden bridge was replaced by an iron bridge.

	The new iron bridge was imported from Germany in 1873 (Meiji 6).
A picture of Shinsaibashi in the Meiji period

	In the Meiji era, the iron bridge was quite innovative so it became a hot topic of the town. There are a few color prints still remained.
"Naniwa Shinsai Tekkyo no Zu" Sadahiro

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1909 (Meiji 42)

The iron bridge was replaced by a stone bridge.

A picture postcard "Reconstruction of Osaka Shinsaibashi"	A picture postcard "Shinsaibashi"

The construction of Japanese made, brand new and modern stone bridge was completed in 1909 (Meiji 42); the magnificent opening ceremony was held. Because of its western touch and elaborate design, many picture cards were issued and many of them are still remained.

・	A picture postcard "Osaka Meisyo Shinsaibashi" ("Scenic Beauty in Osaka, Shinsaibashi")
・	A picture postcard "Ontaitenkinen Housyuku no Osaka Shinsaibashi no Sousyoku" ("A Great Commemorative Ceremony in Osaka Ornamentation of Shinsaibashi")
・	A picture postcard "Osaka Shinsaibashi"

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1964 (Showa 39)

Shinsaibashi bridge became an overpass because of reclamation of The Nagahori River.

Even though the river was reclaimed in 1964 (Showa 39) and the bridge was no longer needed, it was reconstructed as the overpass which added a unique atmosphere to the town of Osaka.

A completion ceremony was held on November 23, 1964. In the Hollywood movie, “Black Rain,” the bridge was used to shoot one of the scenes.

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1997 (Heisei 9)

Crysta Nagahori, an undergraund shopping mall, opened. A part of the bridge was restored.

An underground shopping mall, Crysta Nagahori, opened in 1997 (Heisei 9) opened as a part of redevelopment plan of Nagahori.
At that time, a part of the hand rail of the bridge was restored and used for center dividers, which provide a retro atmosphere above the modern underground shopping mall. Water also flows under that bridge

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