Shiratori Cable-Stayed Bridge in Otofuke, Hokkaido — Live Webcam

History and Name of Shiratori Bridge

In the town of Otofuke on the island of Hokkaido, a cable-stayed bridge spans the wide Tokachigawa River, which locals call the "Swan Bridge" — 白鳥大橋 (Hakuchō Ōhashi). This poetic name was not given to the structure by chance: the river's surroundings have become a wintering ground for whooper swans, which arrive here from late autumn and remain until March. The official name of the structure is 十勝中央大橋 (Tokachi Chuo Ohashi), which translates to "Central Tokachi Bridge." The structure was ceremoniously opened on November 6, 1988 as part of a large-scale project to construct agricultural roads in the central part of the Tokachi region.

The bridge has become a true symbol of Otofuke and one of the main tourist attractions in eastern Hokkaido. A camera installed on the roof of the "Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel" broadcasts a view of the bridge and the river in real time, allowing travelers and researchers to observe the life of this unique place from anywhere in the world.

Architecture and Design of the Cable-Stayed Bridge

Shiratori Bridge is a complex cable-stayed engineering structure. Its design includes several elements: a steel 2-span continuous box girder bridge, a 3-span continuous steel girder RC-tower cable-stayed bridge, and another steel 2-span continuous box girder bridge. Two tall A-shaped support towers (pylons) rise above the river, and from them, stay cables — steel cables forming a characteristic fan pattern — extend downward to the superstructure. This architecture not only gives the bridge visual lightness and elegance but also provides the necessary strength to withstand wind and seismic loads typical of Hokkaido.

The cable-stayed design allows for spanning large distances without intermediate supports, which is especially important on the wide Tokachigawa River, where spring floods and ice drift can exert significant pressure on the structure. Vehicle traffic moves across the bridge — it is part of a regional agricultural road connecting Otofuke and Makubetsu.

The Tokachigawa River and the Wintering of Whooper Swans

The Tokachigawa River is one of the largest rivers in Hokkaido, and its significance for the region extends far beyond a transportation artery. Every winter, over 1,000 whooper swans gather on its ice-free stretches — large white birds with distinctive black-and-yellow beaks. The swans arrive here from late November and remain until March, finding in the warm waters fed by hot springs a safe refuge from Siberian frosts.

The swans' wintering has become a true natural wonder, attracting ornithologists, photographers, and tourists from across Japan and abroad. The birds arrive from the Kolyma region, Kamchatka, and other northern territories, and the Tokachigawa River provides them with ideal conditions: open water, abundant food sources, and safe roosting sites. Shiratori Bridge serves as an excellent vantage point for observing the swans, which often gather in large groups near the shore.

Tokachigawa Hot Springs

The uniqueness of the Tokachigawa River is explained not only by the swans but also by the region's geothermal activity. Here are located the Tokachigawa Hot Springs (Tokachigawa Onsen), which contain rare "moor springs" — humic acid waters formed from the decomposition of ancient peat deposits. Such springs are extremely rare worldwide, and the Japanese value them for their skin-softening and rejuvenating properties.

The water in the springs has a characteristic dark tint due to its high humic substance content, but it is precisely these organic compounds that give it healing properties. Many tourists come to Otofuke specifically to bathe in the peat water, which, according to reviews, helps with skin conditions, neuralgia, and general fatigue. The springs also maintain the ice-free stretches of the river, creating the very conditions that attract whooper swans.

Winter Festival "Sairinka"

Since 1992, Otofuke has hosted the annual winter festival of light and sound "Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka". This vibrant event transforms the snowy riverbank into a fairy-tale space where thousands of lights reflect in the dark water, and white swans become living participants in the light show. The festival usually takes place in February and draws tens of thousands of visitors.

The festival program includes illumination along the riverbank, musical performances, workshops on Japanese crafts, and, of course, swan feeding. For many visitors, this is the only opportunity to see these majestic birds up close and take photographs against the snowy landscape. Shiratori Bridge is especially beautiful during the festival days — its stay cables and pylons are illuminated, creating a striking composition against the night sky.

Natural Attractions of the Surrounding Area

The surroundings of Shiratori Bridge are rich in natural sites worth visiting at any time of year. Tokachigaoka Park is located on the riverbank and offers walking paths, bird-watching platforms, and views of the bridge. In winter, it is convenient for photographing swans, and in summer — for enjoying green meadows and the cool breeze from the river.

The hilly terrain around Otofuke is covered with deciduous and coniferous forests that turn crimson and gold in autumn. Scattered among the hills, farms remind visitors of the agricultural character of the Tokachi region — one of Japan's main breadbaskets. Dairy farming, potato, sugar beet, and wheat cultivation shape a landscape where fields alternate with forested areas.

Transportation Significance of the Bridge

Shiratori Bridge plays a crucial role in the transportation infrastructure of eastern Hokkaido. As part of the regional agricultural road project "十勝中央地区広域農道整備事業", it connects the towns of Otofuke and Makubetsu, providing farmers and residents of remote settlements with access to markets, schools, and medical facilities. Without this bridge, the journey between settlements would be significantly longer, especially during spring floods when alternative crossings may be submerged.

For tourists, the bridge also serves as a convenient landmark and starting point for exploring the surrounding area. Routes to the hot springs, Tokachigaoka Park, and river viewpoints begin here. In winter, the road across the bridge is regularly cleared of snow, making it accessible year-round.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online camera is installed on the roof of the "Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel" and broadcasts a view of the Shiratori cable-stayed bridge over the Tokachigawa River. In the field of view are the bridge's two tall A-shaped support towers, from which steel stay cables fan out downward to the superstructure. Vehicles travel along the roadway, and beneath the bridge flows the wide river with characteristic reflections of the sky and banks on its surface.

In the foreground of the frame are green meadows and open fields typical of the Tokachi agricultural landscape. In the background, hilly terrain covered with forests is visible, with scattered buildings among them. In winter months, if the weather cooperates, white whooper swans can be seen in the frame, gathering on the ice-free stretches of the river. The sky over Otofuke is often overcast, giving the landscape a special Japanese melancholy, but after it clears, views of the distant mountain ranges of Hokkaido open up.