Known as the oldest state-established road in Japan, the ancient Tatsuta Kodo between Nara and Osaka follows the Yamato River on its way through the hills that separate the two historic cities from each other. Around halfway along the road is the Kamenose valley, traditionally the most dangerous section of the journey and a spot extremely prone to landslides.
The modern railway bridge on the site crosses the river diagonally – an architectural solution arrived at in order to minimise the impact of landslides. Its predecessor, the Kamenose Tunnel, was crushed by such an event in 1932. The tunnel’s ruins are open to the public and tell a story of the overwhelming force of nature.