After the visit to the Osaka Mint, I took a slow stroll along the Okawa River to Sakuranomiya Bridge, also known as Ginbashi, and it was one of those walks where the city feels both lively and calm at the same time. The river breeze, the long pedestrian path, and the view back toward the Mint made the detour feel like a perfect pause in the middle of the day.

Memory post
The Osaka Mint was my starting point, and from there the riverside opened into a quieter, greener side of Osaka. I followed the water toward Sakuranomiya Bridge, watching the reflections on the river and the skyline shift as I walked. The bridge’s steel frame stood out sharply against the blue sky, giving the whole scene a mix of industrial strength and seasonal softness.

Sakuranomiya Bridge has a special place in Osaka’s urban history. It was first opened in 1930 as part of Osaka City’s early modern planning, and in 2006 a second bridge, Shin-Sakuranomiya Bridge, was added beside it; together they form the bridge complex known as Ginbashi, or the “Silver Bridge.” The original bridge was designed by Kyoto University professor Goichi Takeda, and its construction was considered an ambitious project for its time.

Walking beneath and beside the bridge, I could feel how the structure connects the past and present of the city. Today, it carries traffic across the river, but the pedestrian path nearby also makes it a pleasant place to slow down and take in the surroundings. For me, it was not just a crossing point but a quiet riverside moment after the Mint’s polished historic atmosphere.

Bridge history
Sakuranomiya Bridge first opened in 1930 as part of Osaka’s first urban planning project.

In 2006, Shin-Sakuranomiya Bridge was built next to it, and the two bridges together became known as Ginbashi.

The bridge is associated with engineer Goichi Takeda, and the newer span is linked to Tadao Ando.

The area around the bridge is tied to Kema Sakuranomiya Park and the Osaka Mint, which makes it especially popular for riverside walks and cherry blossom viewing.