All Hokkaido Staff Adventures- Jordan goes to Taushubetsu Bridge in Nukabira!

The All Hokkaido staff loves to travel all over Hokkaido- and we want you to see where we’re going and what’s going on! Maybe you will find some inspiration for your trip here. This time Jordan goes to Taushubetsu River Bridge

Travelers who have visited Hokkaido before will know that it isn’t the easiest to travel by train, especially compared to areas like Tokyo and further south in Japan. There actually used to be more train lines crossing the island, that were used to carry things like lumber and other materials from the more rural areas into the main parts of Hokkaido. As those industries have faded and the convenience of trucks over rural railways has won out, many of those lines have been removed or abandoned.

A few weekends ago I took a trip far from Sapporo to visit Nukabira, a part of the Tokachi region, for a few nights. I was looking forward to good food, great onsens, and a chance to see a part of Hokkaido’s past with a visit to the Taushubetsu Railway River Bridge.

Known as a “phantom” bridge, the Taushubetsu Bridge’s visibility changes depending on the season. In winter it is almost completely covered by snow, and it stands on nearly-dry land only briefly after the initial spring melt.  As the summer progresses and water is released from the nearby dam, the bridge eventually disappears as well. This results in dynamic scenery, as the changes in water levels brings new views almost every day.

There is an observation deck to view the bridge from afar, but the local guides also offer tours to get up close to the bridge itself- and that’s what I did! I joined the sunrise tour, and after waking up before 5AM I got to get up close and personal.

Due to the early time, there was almost no wind, which let us view the bridge with incredible reflections in the water. We were able to get some incredible photographs as well as a close-up look at the bridge itself. Due to the lack of maintenance and exposure to the elements, Taushubetsu Bridge is deteriorating and starting to fall apart. Even though it’s in a rural place, it was well worth the visit!

My trip was over too quickly, but if you are looking for a unique experience like this, send us a message! We will introduce you to these kind of special secret spots all across Hokkaido!