Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The Former JNR Shihoro Line once connected Obihiro and Tokachi Mitsumata. Today, its legacy beautifully remains around Lake Nukabira. Though the railway line has been discontinued, a series of concrete arch bridges still stand gracefully within the vast nature of the Daisetsuzan mountains, creating a timeless and almost surreal landscape.

Among these, the most famous is the "phantom bridge" – the Taushubetsu River Bridge. Also known as the "glasses bridge" due to its shape, this mysterious structure changes its appearance with the seasons. Around January, when the lake surface begins to freeze, the bridge slowly reemerges from the ice. However, as the water level rises in June, the bridge gradually sinks and by August it disappears completely beneath the lake. This fleeting cycle is why the bridge has come to be known as the "phantom bridge."

Along National Route 273, you will also find other spectacular arch bridges unique to the Former JNR Shihoro Line, including the Fifth Otofuke River Bridge, which stretches over 100 meters in length. Driving along this scenic route, you may suddenly come across these beautiful historic structures, perfectly harmonized with the surrounding nature.

These bridges, now designated as Hokkaido Heritage, are invaluable industrial legacies that tell the story of Hokkaido's pioneering days and railway history. Today, they continue to captivate countless travelers and photography enthusiasts who come to witness this rare blend of history and natural beauty.