13 bridge tour on the Ebina River
![海老川の橋の画像8](./p044409_d/img/008.jpg)
The Ebi River flows leisurely through the city center of Funabashi, springing from headwaters in Otakisan Konzoji Temple.
It is said the name of the river ("Ebi", meaning "shrimp" in Japanese) comes from the fact that shrimp caught in this river were served to Minamoto no Yoritomo (the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, from 1192 to 1199), when he visited Funabashi long ago.
Reliefs are installed depicting the features of Funabashi on the railings of 13 bridges that span the Ebi River, easing the hearts of people who cross over them.
Walking paths and a jogging road have been developed along the river, so you can enjoy nature in the four seasons as you walk leisurely along the course.
- Course (Approx. 2.6 km in total)
- Start at Keisei Daijingushita Station
- 280 m - 5 min. - (1) Funabashi Bridge
- 100 m - 1 min. - (2) Yachiyo Bridge
- 270 m - 5 min. - (3) Ebigawa Bridge
- 40 m - 1 min. - (4) Yorozuyo Bridge
- 75 m - 1 min. - (5) Sakae Bridge
- 60 m - 1 min. - (6) Maruyama Bridge
- 100 m - 1 min. - (7) Kokonoe Bridge
- 120 m - 2 min. - (8) Shinebigawa Bridge
- 400 m - 7 min. - (9) Taro Bridge
- 300 m - 5 min. - (10) Fushimi Bridge
- 550 m - 10 min. - (11) Takajo Bridge
- 550 m - 9 min. - (12) Yasakae Bridge
- 250 m - 4 min. - (13) Mukaida Bridge
- 80 m - 1 min. - Yasakaebashi Bus Stop (Funabashi Shin-Keisei Bus) GOAL
Start at Keisei Daijingushita Station
280m -5min-
Funabashi Bridge (Image: "Romance for the Sea")
![海老川の橋の画像1](./p044409_d/img/001.jpg)
100m -1min-
Yachiyo Bridge (Image: "Fishing and a Bountiful Catch")
![海老川の橋の画像2](./p044409_d/img/002.jpg)
270m -5min-
Ebigawa Bridge (Image: "History and Commerce")
![海老川の橋の画像3](./p044409_d/img/003.jpg)
40m -1min-
75m -1min-
Sakae Bridge (Image: "Music")
![海老川の橋の画像5](./p044409_d/img/005.jpg)
60m -1min-
Maruyama Bridge (Image: "Volunteer Spirit")
Kappa characters designed by many famous manga artists, including Osamu Tezuka, are shown riding the "Volunteer's Ship", thanks to cooperation from the Japan Cartoonists Association.
![海老川の橋の画像6](./p044409_d/img/006.jpg)
100m -1min-
Kokonoe Bridge (Image: "Literature")
His former residence is nearby this bridge.
A portrait statue of Dazai and a relief with a passage from his masterpiece "Run, Melos!" are installed here.
![海老川の橋の画像7](./p044409_d/img/007.jpg)
120m -2min-
Shinebigawa Bridge (Image: "Festivals")
![海老川の橋の画像8](./p044409_d/img/008.jpg)
400m -7min-
Taro Bridge (Image: "Japanese Fairytales")
Momotaro, Kintaro, Urashima Taro, and Monogusa Taro. The representative characters of Japanese fairytales show up in force on the railings of this bridge.
![海老川の橋の画像9](./p044409_d/img/009.jpg)
300m -5min-
Fushimi Bridge (Image: "Art")
![海老川の橋の画像10](./p044409_d/img/010.jpg)
550m -9min-
Takajo Bridge (Image: "History and Nature")
![海老川の橋の画像11](./p044409_d/img/011.jpg)
550m -9min-
Yasakae Bridge (Image: "Sports")
![海老川の橋の画像12](./p044409_d/img/012.jpg)
250m -4min-
Mukaida Bridge (Image: "Agriculture and a Good Harvest")
![海老川の橋の画像13](./p044409_d/img/013.jpg)
80m -1min-
Yasakaebashi Bus Stop (Funabashi Shin-Keisei Bus) GOAL
Don't stop with just the 13 Bridge Tour! See these recommended spots on the Ebi River.
Jogging Road
This course stretches 3.2 km from Fushimi Bridge to the Kitayatsu River and back. Many local residents come to run or enjoy a leisurely stroll here. It is known as a destination for seeing the cherry blossoms, and in the spring approximately 500 sakura trees planted on either bank bloom as if to blanket the surface of the river, delighting the eyes of blossom viewers.
Foot prints of Yuko Arimori
A foot-print monument to Ms. Yuko Arimori, two-time consecutive medal winner in the Olympic Marathon (in Barcelona and Atlanta) is located near Yasakae Bridge. Ms. Arimori practiced on the Ebi River Jogging Road when she was a student at Funabashi Municipal High School, under the instruction of its former Track and Field coach, Mr. Yoshio Koide.