Observation Deck for Taushubetsu Bridge

About

This trestle was built in 1939 for the now-defunct Shihoro Line railway to cross the Taushubetsu River, but in 1955, the railroad was rerouted to make way for the Nukabira Dam. The dam created a man-made lake, and the bridge was quickly abandoned. During spring and summer, the bridge is underwater; during winter, it is frozen in ice. The water is at its lowest level in early spring, and the bridge reappears for a few short months. The repeated damage from being submerged and exposed to the elements has broken down the bridge into near-collapse, earning it a cult-like status among fans of abandoned infrastructure. Visitors must walk 10 minutes into the woods to the observation deck to view the bridge. The forest has many active brown bears, so carry bear bells or another noisy item to scare them away from you as you hike.