A couple takes pictures against the backdrop of the Shinkyo bridge at the Nikko Futarasanjinja shrine, a popular spot in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. (Takashi Kajiyama)

NIKKO, Tochigi Prefecture--As a new emperor takes the throne, the iconic bridge at a World Heritage shrine here will be open at night, believed to be the first time since it was built in the eighth century.

The four-day night opening from May 1 will mark Crown Prince Naruhito’s accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne and the start of the Reiwa Era on that day.

Literally meaning “divine bridge,” the Shinkyo bridge is a national important cultural property belonging to the Nikko Futarasanjinja shrine, one of the locations in the city collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“We’d like to celebrate the new emperor’s accession and the start of the new era with the public,” said Yoshifumi Saito, a senior priest at Nikko Futarasanjinja. “Actually, we priests also have never crossed the Shinkyo at night. We’d like many people to see the night scene that is not usually available.”

According to shrine officials, it will be the first time for the Shinkyo, which is believed to have been constructed during the Nara Period (710-784), to open for crossing during the evening.

It is believed that the bridge was lacquered in vermillion around the time of the so-called “Great Reconstruction of the Kanei Era” for Nikko Toshogu shrine, which was completed in 1636.

It was washed away by flood waters before being rebuilt in 1904. The bridge opened for public use in 1972 but has been available for crossing only during the daytime.

The current wooden structure is about 28 meters long and about 7.4 meters wide.

It has become a popular sightseeing spot in the area. About 72,000 people crossed the bridge in the fiscal year ending in March 2018, with more than 80,000 people passing over the Shinkyo between April 2018 and January 2019.

The bridge will be open for night-time travel for two hours from 5 p.m. It will remain lit up until 9 p.m.

The bridge-crossing fee is 500 yen ($4.50) for adults, 200 yen for high school students and 100 yen for junior high school and elementary school students.