Moopon

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.

Known for the bridges at the Hiroshima Peace Park, garden at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and many others, Isamu Noguchi is an important Japanese American artists, sculptor and landscape artist.  The Isamu Noguchi Museum in Mure Town near central Takamatsu is Noguchi’s former Japanese residence and workshop.  Though this museum features his art, work and living space, it can only be entered through a guided tour with advance reservation.

Within the grounds is a storehouse from the Edo Period.  Outside the storehouse are about 150 stone sculptures, the majority of which are unfinished. The finished sculptures are stored in a warehouse from the Meiji Period.  Visitors can see the 3.6 meter tall black Swedish granite sculptor named “Energy Void” on the premises.

From his work area, tour members are taken across the street to Noguchi’s former residence.  Noguchi redesigned his Edo Period merchant residence to accommodate his preferences while maintaining Japanese traditional aesthetic elements. Visitors are also able to see the garden Noguchi designed for his 80th birthday. The garden is located on the hill behind his house.
 
Tours are conducted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 10am 1pm and 3pm. There are no tours during New Years and Japanese Obon Holidays (mid August).

To make a reservation:
Outside of Japan:
Please fax the following information to  (+81 87 845 0505) at least 2 weeks before the intended visit. Visitors will receive confirmation of their tour date.

Please fax:
*number of people in group
*names of people in group
*ages of people in group
*contact address
*preferred tour time and two alternative tour time

Within Japan:
Please write the same information on a self-addressed , stamped return postcard ("ofuku hagaki"). The request must arrive at the museum (Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, 3519 Mure, Mure-cho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa-ken, 761-0121) at least two weeks before the date of your intended visit.  Visitors will receive a reply with the tour time written on the return envelope.

The cost of admission 2160 yen per person.

Access Information:
Via Kotoden train
From Takamatsu-Chikko Station board a train to Kawaramachi Station (5 minutes) and change to the Kotoden Shido Line to Yakuri Station (20 minutes). The cost is 340 yen. 
From Yakuri Station, visitors can walk (25 minutes) or take a taxi (5 minutes).

Via JR train
From Takamatsu Station board a local train to Furutakamatsu Minami Station (20 minutes). The cost is 260 yen.
From the station, visitors can walk (30-40 minutes) or take a taxi (10 minutes). 

Via bus
From Takamatsu Station board the number 73 Kotoden Bus bound for Aji Onsen (庵治温泉) and disembark at Inori Iwa Yoichi Koen-mae (祈り岩与一公園前). The one way journey takes about 30 minutes and the cost is 490 yen. 
From Inori Iwa Yoichi Koen-mae bus stop, the museum is a 5-10 minute walk.

aLocated outside Takamatsu city, Kagawa Prefecture, is Yashima (屋島), a flat topped mountain.  The Kanji characters for Yashima literally translates to “roof island”, but there is more to this mountain than its shape.  Historically Yashima played an important role as the site for the battle between Taira and Minamoto Clans during the Gempei War.  In addition, Yashima Temple and the New Yashima Aquarium are sites of interest for visitors.

Visitors can find many areas on Yashima displaying its historic heritage.  As mentioned before, in the 12th century, the Taira Clan and Minamoto clan fought here during the Gempei War. The Taira Clan was defeated here and it is said that this battle was the last battle before the Taira Clan’s final destruction. Visitors can find the Chinoike, which literally translates to “blood pond” on Yashima’s summit.  It is said that Minamoto Clan members washed their swords here after the victory, turning the lake red with blood. Other monuments and historical displays can be found on the summit.

Also on the summit, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of Takamatsu and the Seto Inland Sea. Special souvenirs can be purchased here.  Small clay discs are purchased and thrown off the mountain for good luck.  The clay discs symbolize the headpieces the Minamoto warriors threw off after defeating the Taira Clan.

Visitors can also visit the Yashima Temple located near the summit’s parking area.  Yashima Temple is number 84 in the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. There are quite a few temple buildings, each reflecting a different era.  There is a modern museum here as well, featuring artifacts from Yashima’s history.
Yashima Temple Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: Temple Grounds: Free
Temple Museum: 500 yen

Visitors may wish to visit the New Yashima Aquarium, which is located about 5 minutes on foot away from the summit.  Though small, the aquarium does have dolphin and seal shows.
New Yashima Aquarium
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry is 16:30)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 1200 yen

And near the base of the mountain is Shikoku Mura. Shikoku Mura is an open air museum. Traditional indoor artwork is displayed in addition to the outdoor displays of farmhouses, bridges and so on. Pieces are collected from throughout Shikoku to be featured here.

Access Information:
Via Kotoden:
From Takamatsu-Chikko Station, board a train to Kawaramachi Station. The journey should take 5 minutes and there are many trains from Takamatsu-Chikko to Kawaramachi.
At Kawaramachi Station, transfer to the Shido Line and disembark at Kotoden Yashima Station. The journey should take 15 minutes and there are 3 trains every hour from Kawaramachi to Yashima. The cost of the entire train journey is 320 yen.
From Yashima Station, board the Yashima Sanjo Shuttle bus. There is a bus every hour to the summit. The cost of the Shuttle is 100 yen.

Via JR:
From JR Takamatsu Station, board the local train to Yashima Station. The journey should take 15 minutes and the cost is 220 yen.  There are 1 or 2 trains every hour.
From Yashima Station, board the Yashima Sanjo Shuttle bus. There is a bus every hour to the summit. The cost of the Shuttle is 100 yen.

By Car:
There is a toll road (Yashima Driveway) from Shikoku Mura to the summit. The cost for passenger cars is 630 yen.

Lying along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea in Kagawa Prefecture is the Takamatsu Castle. This castle, also known as the Tamomo Castle, is one of the few castles built along the water.  The moat of the Takamatsu Castle actually draws directly from the sea.

Built in 1590 by Ikoma Chikamasa, the Ikoma Clan were the original rulers of this castle. Relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, the Matsudaira Clan overtook the castle 54 years later. The Matsudaira Clan ruled for the rest of the Edo Period.  During the Meiji Period, the castle main keep was torn down.  Currently, there is a strong movement to reconstruct this castle, known as one of the three Great Waterfront Castles in Japan.

Within the castle grounds, there are only a few of the castle’s original buildings.  Originally twenty, only two turrets, the Ushitora Yagura and the Tsukimi Yagura, remain today. Visitors can also see the Asahimon Gate as well as the moats and walls to imagine how glorious Takamatsu castle was in its heyday. The castle garden is well maintained and visitors can appreciate the beauty of Japanese gardens here.

Hiunkaku building lies in the center of the castle park.  With its large tatami mat rooms, this building is used as an exhibition space/community hall.  Tea ceremony and flower arrangement classes are held here.

The hours of entry to the castle vary according to the month.
April to May: 5:50 to 18:30
June to August: 5:30 to 19:00
September: 5:30 to 18:30
October: 6:00 to 17:30
November: 6:30 to 17:00
December to January: 7:00 to 17:00
February: 7:00 to 17:30
March: 6:30 to 18:00
Closed: December 29th to 31st
Admission: 200 yen

Access Information:
Takamatsu Castle is located next to Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station.
It is also a short walk from the JR Takamatsu Station.

Takamatsu Shopping Arcade is the long, covered shopping street from Takamatsu Castle to Ritsurin Koen.  Known in Japanese as a shotengai, these shopping streets consisting of small family businesses were an important part of life in Japan in the past. Said to be the longest covered shopping arcade in Japan, Takamatsu Shopping Arcade is nearly 2.7 kilometer in length.

With the passage of time, more and more shopping arcades in Japan are moving away from small family businesses to large corporate chain stores.  The northern end of the Takamatsu Shopping Arcade (near Takamatsu Castle) was been redeveloped into an upscale shopping plaza with tenants such as Louis Vuitton and Coach.  Hungry visitors best visit Lion Dori, a street running parallel to the main shopping street.  Here visitors will find an array of eateries, including places which serve the local delicacy, Sanuki Udon.

Hours:  varies from store to store.  In general, most stores are opened from 11am to 7pm or so.
Holidays:  varies from store to store.  Many stores are opened every day.  Some stores are closed once a week, typically on a Monday or Wednesday.

Access Information:
From JR Takamatsu Station or Takamatsu Castle, it is a 10 to 15 minute walk.