The Mikobata and Habuchi bridges were begun in 1883 as part of the Ore Road (Koseki no Michi), and completed in 1885 and 1887, respectively. The Ore Road, connecting the mining towns of Akenobe, Mikobata, and Ikuno to the Silver Mine Carriage Road (the Ikuno Kozanryo Bashamichi, now known as the Gin no Bashamichi), was the principal route by which silver and other ores were transported south to Himeji. Because bridges along the Ore Road were expected to see heavy traffic from the towns’ newly expanded mining operations, cast -iron was chosen as the most durable material for their construction.
The Mikobata Bridge is Japan’s oldest cast-iron bridge, and the third-oldest iron bridge in Japan. The bridges were designed by the same office in France as the Eiffel Tower, and the casting was done in Yokosuka City. The parts were then brought up the Silver Mine Carriage Road and assembled on-site.
Originally, both the Mikobata Bridge and Habuchi Bridge spanned the Maruyamakawa River. However, in 1995 the riverbed was widened for flood prevention, and the Habuchi Bridge was relocated. The Mikobata Bridge remains in its original location, and in 1977 was designated a National Heritage Site.