The sacred bridge Shin-kyo spans the Daiya River, marking the entrance to this sacred area, where nature and, with it, the divine revealed themselves to humankind. In 767, Shodo Shonin and his disciples wanted to explore Mt Nantai but were stopped by the tumultuous river. In answer to their prayers, the divinity Jinja Daio appeared with two snakes, one red, one blue, which got tangled over the river until they formed a bridge. Rebuilt in 1907, its 27m length is consolidated by pillars topped with golden globes and red lacquered balusters.