Japanese Covered Bridge

Overview

The Japanese Covered Bridge (Cầu Chùa) is Hoi An's most iconic landmark, a 18-meter wooden bridge originally built by the Japanese merchant community in the late 16th century. Spanning a small canal at the western end of the Ancient Town, it features a small Buddhist temple integrated into its northern side.

Highlights

• Architecture: A unique roofed bridge with ornate carvings, weathered wooden beams, and a tiled roof curving upward at both ends.
• Guardian Statues: Pairs of monkeys and dogs guard the bridge's entrances, linked to the years construction began and ended in the Japanese zodiac.
• Night Illumination: The bridge is beautifully lit at night and reflected in the canal water below.

History

Built around 1593 by the Japanese trading community to connect their quarter with the Chinese district, the bridge has been rebuilt several times but retains its original design. It served both as a crossing and a place of worship for the Taoist deity Bac De Tran Vo.

Visitor Tips

• Old Town Ticket: Access requires a Hoi An Old Town sightseeing ticket (120,000 VND for 5 sites).
• Best Time: Visit at dawn for crowd-free photos or after dark for the atmospheric lantern glow.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes.