Wanishi Bridge

Wanishi Bridge spans the Fushino River along the Hagi Okan highway, a route built in 1604 to connect the Sea of Japan and Seto Inland Sea coasts through Yamaguchi. The bridge takes its name from a riverbank rock formation that, when partially submerged, was said to resemble a crocodile opening its mouth. This was historically the departure point for travelers heading along the Inland Sea coast and for the domain lord's entourage setting out on the obligatory journey to Edo. A monument near the bridge displays a 14th-century poem composed by a Ming dynasty emissary who visited while traveling to Kyoto.