Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The Former JNR Shihoro Line once connected Obihiro and Tokachi Mitsumata. Today, traces of its history still linger around Lake Nukabira, where remnants of the railway blend seamlessly into the landscape.

Though the line has long been abandoned, a series of concrete arch bridges remain scattered across the vast natural surroundings of the Daisetsuzan Mountains, creating a scene that feels suspended in time.

Among them, the most iconic is the “phantom bridge”—the Taushubetsu River Bridge. Nicknamed the “glasses bridge” for its distinctive arches, this structure transforms with the seasons. As the lake begins to freeze around January, it slowly emerges from beneath the ice. With the arrival of early summer, rising water levels gradually reclaim it, until by about August it disappears once more beneath the surface. This fleeting cycle gives the bridge its evocative name.

Along National Route 273, other impressive arch bridges—such as the Fifth Otofuke River Bridge, stretching over 100 meters—can also be found. Appearing suddenly against the vast landscape, they offer unexpected encounters with history.

These bridges, recognized as part of Hokkaido Heritage, stand as quiet witnesses to the region’s pioneering past. Today, their harmony with the surrounding wilderness continues to draw visitors and photographers alike, leaving a lasting impression long after the journey ends.