History and Construction
The tunnel was built as part of a road improvement project connecting Mugi with Asakawa. Work on the wider road project began in 1914 and continued until April 1922, taking approximately eight years to complete. The total construction cost was 293,716 yen, a substantial sum at the time.
Construction of Matsusaka Tunnel began in 1920 and was completed in 1921. The tunnel alone reportedly cost around 110,000 yen, accounting for more than one-third of the overall project budget. The high cost reflects the difficulty of excavating and constructing a tunnel in challenging terrain using the engineering methods available at the time.
A Pioneering Concrete Tunnel
Innovative Construction Techniques
Matsusaka Tunnel is recognized for its pioneering use of cast-in-place concrete, in which concrete is poured and allowed to harden directly at the construction site rather than assembled from prefabricated sections. This was an innovative approach to tunnel construction in Japan at the time and helped demonstrate how concrete could be used to create durable structures in difficult terrain.
The tunnel is approximately 87 meters long, about 5.8 meters wide, and 5 meters high. Its dimensions were considerable for a road tunnel built in the early twentieth century. The interior features a straight passage covered in concrete, with an arched profile that reflects the structural techniques of the period.
Architectural Details and Inscriptions
The tunnel entrances feature inscriptions written by Governor Otsu. One bears the name “Matsusaka Tunnel,” while the other displays the phrase “Dōtsū Tenchi,” which can be interpreted as a road connecting heaven and earth. These inscriptions express the importance attached to the tunnel as a link that facilitated the movement of people and goods and supported regional development.
The tunnel’s three-centered arch design and mortar-finished sections of the entrance structures combine practical engineering with a distinctive historical appearance. These details offer a closer look at the craftsmanship and construction methods used during Japan’s transition toward modern infrastructure.
A Historic Landmark Along the Old Coastal Road
Matsusaka Tunnel stands along the former main coastal road in southeastern Shikoku. To reach it, visitors can follow the old Route 55, now known locally as the Uchizuma Hydrangea Road, from Uchizuma Beach. The tunnel is approximately 1 kilometer from the beach.
Although it is a modest structure by modern standards, its concrete walls and arched entrance preserve the character of an earlier era. Visiting the tunnel provides an opportunity to appreciate the infrastructure that once made travel through this coastal region easier and helped connect communities along the Pacific coast.
Explore the Surrounding Coastal Scenery
The area around Matsusaka Tunnel offers more than engineering history. Nearby Uchizuma Beach provides a pleasant coastal setting, while the quiet former highway is suited to a leisurely exploration of the local landscape. During the hydrangea season, flowers along the road add color to the surroundings, giving the route a particularly attractive atmosphere.
Visitors can combine a stop at the tunnel with time by the sea and a drive or walk through the surrounding countryside. The contrast between the rugged natural environment and the enduring concrete structure makes this a distinctive destination for travelers exploring Mugi Town.
Discover a Piece of Japan’s Engineering Heritage
Matsusaka Tunnel is a reminder of the ingenuity and determination that helped shape Japan’s modern road network. Its pioneering construction techniques, historical inscriptions, and carefully formed concrete arch make it an important landmark in the history of civil engineering.
For visitors traveling through southern Tokushima, this quiet tunnel offers a different kind of sightseeing experience—one that reveals how infrastructure, regional development, and the natural landscape are connected. Pairing a visit with nearby Uchizuma Beach and the old coastal road makes for a rewarding detour into the area’s history and scenery.