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Kazura Bridge is the type of "bridges" that consists of a wooden cart suspend on a rope over the river, and were used to transport goods and people.
13 suspension bridges made of mountain vines, called kazurabashi, used to be found throughout the Iya Valley and provided a essential means of getting people and goods across the river in olden days.
Two of the surviving bridges still stand side by side deep in the ravine.
They are known as the Oku-Iya Kazurabashi or myoto-bashi(couples bridges).

The larger of the two bridges, Otto no Hashi (meaning:Husband Bridge), stretches 44 meters across the river next to a small waterfall, while the slightly lower Tsuma no Hashi (meaning: Wife Bridge) is a 22 meter span just a little ways upstream.
The bridges are constructed with steel cables covered within the vines for safety.
They are rebuilt every three years. The bridges are connected to each other by a network of paved hiking trails that also lead to camping facilities on the opposite side of the river.

Another popular attraction is a Yaen Bridge (meaning: Wild Monkey) placed next to the Wife Bridge.
It a human-power ropeway. Visitors can try out the wild monkey bridge and pull themselves across the river.

Access infomation
A rental car is recommended to visit the Oku-Iya Kazurabashi Bridges.

1. Nijukazurabashi bus stop.( The nearest bus stop to around the area)
*From Awa Ikeda Station to Kubo, take a bus and transfer to another bus bound for 
Nijukazurabashi or Mount Tsurugi. Get off at the Nijukazurabashi bus stop.
The one way journey will take 2 hours with a cost of 1790 yen. There are only 4 buses a day. Moreover buses from Kubo to the bridge operate only on weekends and holidays from April to November.

Schedule & Cost
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Closed: December to March
Admission: 550 yen
The level of English: Good

The Iya Valley (Iyakei) is a sheltered and private mountainous valley along the Iya River in western Tokushima Prefecture.
Its steep forested slopes are connected to the outside world by a zigzag,sometimes incredibly narrow mountain road that leads the valley.
Since the Iya valley located secluded regions, it is difficult to access, however, that is what attracts visitor to the area who want to experience a traditional, nature. 

Historically the Iya Valley has been difficult a place to enter, and used as a refuge for members of the defeated Taira or Heike Clan who escaped to the region toward the end of the 12th century after losing the Gempei War (1180 to1185).
Their descendants can still be found around the tiny mountain villages that dispersedly existing.

The Iya Valley is usually divided into two areas.
Nishi Iya (West Iya) located around the entrance to the valley and is slightly more developed and more accessible as there are relatively frequent buses to some of the major attractions.
Oku Iya (Inner Iya, also called Higashi Iya or East Iya) lies further back into the valley so is difficult to reach without a rental car or other means of private transportation. 

This region is famous for Iya soba

Access infomation
A rental car is recommended to visit the area.

1. To Nishi Iya (West Iya)
 *From Awa Ikeda Station to Kubo, take a bus and transfer to another bus bound for Nijukazurabashi or Mount Tsurugi.
Get off at the Nijukazurabashi bus stop.
The one way journey will take 2 hours with a cost of 1790 yen.
There are only 4 buses a day.
Moreover buses from Kubo to the bridge operate only on weekends and holidays from April to November.
2. To Oku Iya (Inner Iya)
Rental car stores are available around Oboke and Awa Ikeda Stations.
A rental car is recommended, particularly for visiting the less traveled Oku Iya area.
Note: The roads are very narrow and have frequent blind curves, which make driving both hazardous and slow.

The Iya Valley (祖谷渓谷 Iya Keikoku) region in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan is a scenic area known for its dramatic mountain valleys and old vine bridges.
The Iya Valley and the inner parts of Shikoku have historically been remote and difficult to enter,
making them a favorite retreat for refugees and defeated Heike warriors although access has improved in recent years.

Manikin Peeing Boy Statue
At the edge of this dizzying, 200 meter high cliff stands the boy statue posed as if he were peeing off the ledge down to the valley bellow.
This statue is placed at a beautiful scenic spot a few steps from The Iya ONSEN HOTEL, where local folklore says travelers would climb out to pee off in order to try to act strong or play chicken. 

The Iya Valley is usually divided into two areas.
Nishi Iya (West Iya) located around the entrance to the valley and is slightly more developed and more accessible as there are relatively frequent buses to some of the major attractions.
Oku Iya (Inner Iya, also called Higashi Iya or East Iya) lies further back into the valley so is difficult to reach without a rental car or other means of private transportation. 

The image is Sobamai zosui (buckwheat porridge), which is the local specialties of the Iya region made from dechaffed buckwheat berries in place of rice. 

Access Information
A rental car is recommended to visit the area.

1. To Nishi Iya (West Iya)
 *From Awa Ikeda Station to Kubo, take a bus and transfer to another bus bound for Nijukazurabashi or Mount Tsurugi.
Get off at the Nijukazurabashi bus stop.
The one way journey will take 2 hours with a cost of 1790 yen.
There are only 4 buses a day.
Moreover buses from Kubo to the bridge operate only on weekends and holidays from April to November.
2. To Oku Iya (Inner Iya)
Rental car stores are available around Oboke and Awa Ikeda Stations.
A rental car is recommended, particularly for visiting the less traveled Oku Iya area.
Note: The roads are very narrow and have frequent blind curves, which make driving both hazardous and slow.

The Iya Valley (祖谷渓谷 Iya Keikoku) region in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan is a scenic area known for its dramatic mountain valleys and old vine bridges.
The Iya Valley and the inner parts of Shikoku have historically been remote and difficult to enter, making them a favorite retreat for refugees and defeated Heike warriors although access has improved in recent years.

Shin-Iya Onsen Hotel Kazurabashi 
This hotel is located one of Japan's three major least visited regions.
The sky-high open-air bath is accessed by a cable car. It provides local dishes which are popular amongst guests.
The hotel has three outdoor baths, one for each gender as well as a mixed gender bath in which you can watch nice views out over the Iya Valley.
The baths are found high up on the mountainside above the hotel.
The can be accessed by a short cable car from the main building.

Daytime Hours: 10:00 to 16:00 
Daytime Admission: 1200 yen 
Overnight Stay: from 14,000 yen per person including 2 meals

Food
The image is Local dishes 

The Iya Valley is usually divided into two areas.
Nishi Iya (West Iya) located around the entrance to the valley and is slightly more developed and more accessible as there are relatively frequent buses to some of the major attractions.
Oku Iya (Inner Iya, also called Higashi Iya or East Iya) lies further back into the valley so is difficult to reach without a rental car or other means of private transportation. 

Access Information
A rental car is recommended to visit the area.

1. To Nishi Iya (West Iya)
 *From Awa Ikeda Station to Kubo, take a bus and transfer to another bus bound for Nijukazurabashi or Mount Tsurugi.
Get off at the Nijukazurabashi bus stop.
The one way journey will take 2 hours with a cost of 1790 yen. There are only 4 buses a day.
Moreover buses from Kubo to the bridge operate only on weekends and holidays from April to November.
2. To Oku Iya (Inner Iya)
Rental car stores are available around Oboke and Awa Ikeda Stations.
A rental car is recommended, particularly for visiting the less traveled Oku Iya area.
Note: The roads are very narrow and have frequent blind curves, which make driving both hazardous and slow.

The Iya Valley (祖谷渓谷 Iya Keikoku) region in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan is a scenic area known for its dramatic mountain valleys and old vine bridges.
The Iya Valley and the inner parts of Shikoku have historically been remote and difficult to enter, making them a favorite retreat for refugees and defeated Heike warriors although access has improved in recent years.

Iya Onsen Hotel
The Iya Onsen Hotel is located high up on the steep slope overlooking the Iya Valley.
A notable point in the hotel is that its outdoor hot baths located along the river and you have to take a cable car some 170 meters below the hotel itself. 
The bath water is a lukewarm 39 degrees Celsius.

Daytime Hours: 7:00 to 18:00 (Last entry at 17:00) 
Daytime Admission: 1500 yen (including outdoor bath, indoor bath, and cable car) 
Overnight Stay: from 12,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Level of English: Good English website is available.

Food
The image is Kaiseki ryori (Traditional multi-course Japanese meal), which is used Local products.

The Iya Valley is usually divided into two areas.
Nishi Iya (West Iya) located around the entrance to the valley and is slightly more developed and more accessible as there are relatively frequent buses to some of the major attractions. Oku Iya (Inner Iya, also called Higashi Iya or East Iya) lies further back into the valley so is difficult to reach without a rental car or other means of private transportation. 

Access Information
A rental car is recommended to visit the area.

1. To Nishi Iya (West Iya)
 *From Awa Ikeda Station to Kubo, take a bus and transfer to another bus bound for Nijukazurabashi or Mount Tsurugi.
Get off at the Nijukazurabashi bus stop.
The one way journey will take 2 hours with a cost of 1790 yen. There are only 4 buses a day.
Moreover buses from Kubo to the bridge operate only on weekends and holidays from April to November.
2. To Oku Iya (Inner Iya)
Rental car stores are available around Oboke and Awa Ikeda Stations.
A rental car is recommended, particularly for visiting the less traveled Oku Iya area.
Note: The roads are very narrow and have frequent blind curves, which make driving both hazardous and slow.

The Kibi Plain located outside central Okayama City was the center of the Kibi Kingdom, an ancient, powerful clan.  Historical attractions such as such as burial mounds and shrines are located on the plain.

The Kibi Kingdom is famous for the Legend of Prince Kititsuhiko.  Prince Kibitsuhiko is a prince from a rivaling clan (Yamato Clan).  He came to the kingdom to defeat an ogre.  From this legend, the famous folktale of Momotaro emerged.  Momotaro is a story of boy, born from a peach, who defeated a group of terrorizing ogres.  

Cyclists will be happy to learn a popular 17 kilometer long cycling route through the Kibi Plain between Bizen-Ichinomiya and Soja Stations. This route loosely follows the legend of Prince Kibitsuhiko and passes several important shrines, temples and burial mounds along the way. 

Though visitors can start the route from either side, the route is slightly easier to locate if begun from Bizen-Ichinomiya Station.  
A “mama chari” single speed bicycle can be rented rented at either station.  Users can return the bicycle at the other end or at Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple .                                   
                                                                    

Koikui Shrine (literally "carp eating shrine") is famous for the location where Prince Kibitsuhiko first subdued the ogre. After the ogre transformed and fled as a bird, the prince changed into a hawk to hunt him down. As a result, the ogre made the deadly mistake of changing into a carp, whereas the prince turned into a cormorant.                 
Koikui Shrine
Hours: Always open 
Closed: Opened all year round 
Admission: Free 

Tsukuriyama Kofun
The Kibi Plain is home to several burial mounds (kofun) which were constructed during the Kofun Period (300 to 538). Tsukuriyama Kofun is the largest in the region, and was the largest kofun in Japan at the time of its construction. On the top of the mound is a shrine visitors can visit. There is also a trail along the top of the kofun that offers beautiful views over the surrounding plains.                      

Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple founded in 741 is a 34 meter tall, five story pagoda. Near the temple is a bicycle shop rental shop where bicycles can be rented or returned.
Alternatively, there is a bus to Soja Station for visitors who do not wish to cycle the route’s last section (approximately 5 kilometers).

Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple
Hours: 7:30 to 17:00 
Closed: Opened all year round
Admission: Free

Kibitsuhiko Shrine, located in the Kibi Plain, is well-known due to the Legend of Prince Kibitsuhiko.  Kibi Plain was the center of Kibi Kingdom, a powerful clan.  However, in the 4th century, Prince Kibitsuhiko from the rivaling Yamato Clan came to the Kibi Plains to defeat a terrorizing ogre. 

Kibitsuhiko Shrine was built in 1697 on the spot Prince Kibitsuhiko is said to have stopped to pray before launching his assault on the ogre. This shrine is said to be the most important shrine in this region.  Prince Kibitsuhiko is said to have battled the ogre here, piercing one of the ogre's eyes with an arrow and prompting the ogre to transform into a bird and fly away.

Kibitsuhiko Shrine
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 
Closed: Opened all year round 
Admission: Free

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Tsukuriyama Kofun, located in the Kibi Plain, is the largest kofun (burial mound) in the area. The Kibi Plain, located outside central Okayama City, was the center of the Kibi Kingdom, an ancient, powerful clan.  Many historical attractions such as such as burial mounds and shrines are located on the plain. The best way to explore this plain is by bicycle as many historic points of interests are scattered throughout the cycling trail.

 Tsukuriyama Kofun
The Kibi Plain is home to several burial mounds (kofun) which were built during the Kofun Period (300 to 538). At the time of construction, Tsukuriyama Kofun was the largest kofun in Japan. There is shrine located on the top of the mound.  Visitors can climb the steps leading to this shrine.  There is also a trail along the top of the kofun that offers beautiful views over the surrounding plains.  

Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple is located in the Kibi Plain, outside central Okayama City.  
The Kibi Plain was the center of the Kibi Kingdom, an ancient, powerful clan.  Many historical attractions such as such as burial mounds and shrines are located on the plain. The best way to explore this plain is by bicycle as many historic points of interests are scattered throughout the cycling trail.

Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple, a 34 meter tall five story pagoda, was founded in 741. Near the temple is a bicycle shop rental shop where bicycles can be rented or returned.Alternatively, there is a bus to Soja Station for visitors who do not wish to cycle the route’s last section (approximately 5 kilometers).

Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple
Hours: 7:30 to 17:00 
Closed: Opened all year round
Admission: Free