The Shimanto River, known as "Japan's last clear river" and flowing through Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, is home to numerous submersible bridges. Among them is the Iwama Submersible Bridge, a 120-meter-long, 5-meter-wide reinforced concrete bridge. Its beauty makes it a particularly popular spot. Characterized by its simple design without a parapet, it's nicknamed the "submersible bridge" because it submerges in the river during floods. Its harmonious blend with the surrounding natural beauty makes it a precious preserve of the Shimanto River's pristine landscape, captivating many tourists and photographers.

From the bridge, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the clear, emerald-green Shimanto River and the surrounding mountains. The view is particularly breathtaking when the sunlight reflects off the water's surface or in the early morning when mist rolls in. In addition to crossing the bridge, we also recommend descending to the riverbank for a stroll along the water's edge and listening to the murmuring of the river.

While it's not flashy, it's an iconic tourist spot that's often featured in TV commercials.

There are several parking lots at Iwama Shimanto Chaya.

[Hidden Gem]
The small rest area at the foot of the bridge (Iwama Shimanto Chaya) offers a great photo spot overlooking the entire bridge.

[Helpful Points]
At the bridge entrance, there is only a waiting area on the north side and only a few parking spaces (waiting) on the south side. For this reason, we recommend using the parking lot at Iwama Shimanto Chaya.