Japan Society of Civil Engineers Selects 19 Sites for 2025 Civil Engineering Heritage Awards – Including Arashiyama Bridge
September 25, 2025 – Administration & Organizations
On September 24, the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), chaired by Koji Ikeuchi, announced that 19 structures have been selected as recipients of the 2025 “Civil Engineering Heritage” Award. Among the honorees are the Arashiyama Bridge (Kanagawa Prefecture), the first bridge in Japan to be built using the cantilever erection method, and the Ōno Dam (Kyoto Prefecture), Japan’s first full-scale flood control dam equipped with large-diameter discharge pipes.
With this year’s selection, the total number of recognized civil engineering heritage sites has reached 550 since the award program was launched in 2000.
At the press conference, Committee Chair Shigeru Onoda (Railway Technical Research Institute) and Executive Director Junji Miwa of JSCE spoke about the significance of the selection. Onoda commented:
“The number of selected sites increased from 14 last year to 19 this year. While prewar structures have traditionally been chosen, I feel we are now recognizing more postwar ‘Showa-era heritage’ structures. It is important to highlight these outstanding engineering works and to see some of them designated as nationally important cultural properties. I also believe that reviewing structures from before the Meiji era is crucial.”
The award recognizes civil engineering facilities that have been in service for over 50 years. The purpose is to promote awareness among the public and engineers, encourage their use in community development, and protect valuable infrastructure that might otherwise be lost.
Each year, around 20 sites are selected and presented with a bronze plaque. Award ceremonies are held at JSCE branches across Japan, timed to coincide with Civil Engineering Day (November 18) and other related events.
