Visiting the Taushubetsu River Bridge Observation Point｜A Vanishing Bridge Beneath the Lake & Encounters with Wildlife
Taushubetsu River Bridge Observation Point
I stopped by the observation point where you can view the Taushubetsu River Bridge from about 750 meters away. This area is dotted with remnants of the old JR Shihoro Line—like an open-air museum of railway heritage.
Getting up close to the bridge is apparently difficult, so there were many photographers with DSLR cameras lined up at the lookout. The gentle flow of the river, the surrounding grasslands, and the bridge that looks like ancient ruins—it all felt like a painting come to life.
I spotted three deer walking across the field—one of them was a fawn, so maybe it was a little family?
And then I found a tree stump that looked like it was smiling. Nature’s got jokes!
Taushubetsu River Bridge
The Taushubetsu River Bridge is a concrete arch bridge from the early Showa period, originally built for the now-defunct JR Shihoro Line. It stretches over 130 meters long and was completed in 1937.
Since it lies within a dam’s submerged area, the water level fluctuates throughout the year—earning it the nickname "the phantom bridge that sinks into the lake."
When water levels are low, typically from January to May, you can see the full bridge clearly. But come summer, it gradually disappears beneath the lake… making every visit a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The viewpoint is about 750 meters away, which may seem far, but the wide perspective gives you a breathtaking scene where the bridge blends seamlessly with nature—like something out of a movie
While many visitors use zoom lenses on their DSLRs, a pair of binoculars or a smartphone zoom lens can really enhance the experience 
By the way, there are guided local tours that bring you right up close to the bridge, hosted by the Kamishihoro Tourism Association. (Advance booking required—and yes, bear precautions are a must!)
There was something bittersweet yet beautiful about watching this aging structure slowly surrender to nature… a moment that truly tugged at my heart 