Toyota City: Toyota Bridge (Toyota Ohashi)

Blu Mar Ten - All Over Again (Kubiks Remix)

The Necessary
Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, whom also designed Toyota Stadium, is about 15 minutes walk from Toyota Station and made in 1999. This modernist piece of architecture is one of the centre pieces of Toyota city and crosses over the Yahagi river. The walkways on either side of the bridge are twice as wide as the road it carries and is more than adequate to carry the hundreds of sports and music fans that visit the stadium every year. It also houses fireworks displays during the Oiden festival held over the one weekend in summer.

The Unnecessary
Through my research for this I also found out that Kisho Kurokawa designed Melbourne Central in Melbourne, Australia, to which I often frequented back in the day. It's so strange that I'm living in a city that has more connections to my past than expected!

The Useless
My first weekend was spent walking along this bridge. It's spectacular. I love it so much. Going here most nights during spring, autumn and summer, I'd spend time chilling out with my closest friends, taking photos, drinking, listening to music, or talking... sometimes with myself during extreme times of anxiety. There were times of relieving epiphanies as well, and even though it's an inanimate object it has more soul than most works of architecture I've had the privilege of experiencing (which isn't much).

There is a cradle at the centre of the bridge (pictured) which has tables and chairs which a group of avid skateboarders use most nights to perfect their skills. It's awesome to see.

One of my closest friends was complaining about how Toyota seems to be making bridges left right and centre for no reason. Although a valid complaint, seeing as it was from a true blue Toyota citizen, my skewed perspective led me to wholeheartedly believe that the bridges, particularly this one, were symbols that connected the world. Toyota was created because of the mammoth car company. And although corporations have a bad reputation, especially amongst heavy left-winged believers, there is no doubt that Toyota Motor Corporation has created the livelihoods of many good people, in fact billions. People's lives depend on this company despite the ethical reservations some may have about the corporate world. We are connected, not just via this company but clearly metaphorically.

I have never owned a Toyota car, but the company has affected my life in more ways than one and has inspired me to try and serve people for the greater good of, for lack of a better word, function. Although there are many other companies that have done the same thing, Toyota has helped many get from A to Z and get on with their lives (sometimes not). It's a different perspective when viewing it from the source. Somehow, the purpose of the company seems so much more pure and beautiful up close, without the filters of cultural veils or 3rd party influence.

I will never tire of this bridge... ever.