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.

The Mazda Motor Corporation　was founded in Hiroshima in 1920. It still keeps its corporate headquarters in the city of its birth place. Besides the headquarters, Mazda possesses a large plot of coastal land which accommodates R&D (research and development) laboratories, factories, and shipping facilities. The company museum and part of a factory are made available to visitors.

Although Mazda is not as large as Toyota, Mazda plays a large role in Hiroshima's economy, like Toyota dose to Nagoya.  Producing over a million cars a year, It is an innovative player in the Japanese auto industry. For instance, in 1991 Mazda became the first and only Japanese company to win the Le Mans Grand Prix with 787B. Mazda continues efforts to create more efficient vehicles include improving its version of rotary engines.

Reservations are required for the Mazda Museum tour and can be made by telephone or via its website, the URL is below. Reservations can be made up to a year beforehand. Tours for individual travelers are offered once a day in English and Japanese.

Visitors to the museum are first gathered at the Mazda head office building. When the tour is scheduled to begin, a Mazda tour guide leads visitors onto a bus to take them to the museum building on the close to grounds of Mazda's Hiroshima Plant.

The museum offers a　digest of Mazda's history, such as a look into the expectancy for its future developments and the technology of its automobiles. The tour then goes through an actual vehicle assembly line, where a variety of different car models being produced. Final location is a shop where Mazda goods are sold. The tour takes a total of 90 minutes.

Access Information

From the JR Hiroshima Station, board a local train to Mukainada（向洋） Station. The one-way journey takes about 5minutes with a cost of 190yen. From arrival station the Mazda Head Office can be reached in a five minute walk.

Facility Information

Tours of the Mazda Museum and Factory are held daily, except weekends and company holidays. The starting time of the English tour is at 10:00 and the Japanese tour at 13:30. The full-length of the tours is around 90 minutes. The tour is free of charge, but a reservation must be made in advance by phone or e-mail.

Mazda official site for reservation http://www.mazda.com/en/about/museum/reservations/

Japan and its people are very proud of Shimanami Kaido Bridge, the world’s longest series of suspension bridges, which connects Honshu (Japan’s main island) with Shikoku. Visitors can enter or exit the bridge from either Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture on the Honshu side or from Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku side. This 60 kilometer long bridge-toll road can be utilized by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Visitors can use Shimanami Kaido to visit Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima, and Oshima islands as the bridge has exits for its users to stop along the Seto Inland Islands on their way to Honshu or Shikoku. Some areas of attractions on the islands include:
**Innoshima Suigun Castle on Innoshima Island. Though not the original castle, the recreated naval castle is modeled after the original castle from the 14th to 15th centuries. Visitors will find a museum about the Japanese navy within the castle.
**Kosanji Temple on Ikuchijima Island. Dedicated to the founder’s mother, the buildings within the temple grounds are modeled after famous Japanese historic structures. This temple has a museum as well displaying rare, high quality antique art pieces.
**Oyamazumi Jinja (Shrine) on Omishima Island.  The deity enshrined at this shrine is the protector of the sailors and soldiers. The shrine is also famous for its collection of historic armor and swords.
**Kirosan Observatory Park on Oshima Island.  Visitors can view Kurushima-kaiyo Strait Bridge, the first three consecutive suspension bridges in the world! In addition, Kurshima-kaiyo Strait, one of the three fastest currents in Japan can be seen here.

In addition to the tourist attractions, visitors can enjoy the fresh sea air, cool sea breeze as well as sunshine on this island hopping bridge.  Visitors will find beautiful beaches on the islands.  There are campgrounds as well as hot spring inns (ryokan) for those who wish to spend the night.

Visitors are recommended to try the local fruits and vegetables these islands are proud of. Citrus is especially popular in this area. The seafood, caught from the surrounding Seto Inland Sea, is delicious as well. Sea bream. Octopus, Shellfish (including short-neck clams and freshwater clams) are but a few of the popular seafood in this area.

The bridge can be accessed by car, moped, bus, and bicycle or on foot. There are ferries as well to the islands with the Shimanami Kaido Bridge in the background. Not just a bridge, toll way connecting the islands as well Honshu and Shikoku, Shimanami Kaido is new way to access, discover and experience Japan treasures. 

Visitors to Hiroshima often overlook Onomichi, a quaint port town along the Seto Inland Sea, located about 90 minutes via local train from Hiroshima Station. With its steep hills and sloping geography, Onomichi did not suffer many damages during the war. As a result, many historic buildings are still intact, allowing visitors a glimpse of Japanese history.

Onomichi is famous for its temples. Being a port town, in the past, successful merchants donated heavily to build temples to ensure the town’s prosperity. Visitors can explore the 25 temples along the “Temple Walk”, a popular temple route. Visitors can find maps of “Temple Walk” available at the Tourist Information Office at Onomichi Station. The route is marked and there are many signs as well. Though the route is only 2.5 kilometers, as Onomichi is famous for its slopes, proper footwear is strongly advised.

The most famous temple on the Temple Walk would have to be Senkoji Temple. Founded by Kobo Daishi in 806, Senkoji is located on the mountain. Though visitors can hike up the mountain, most visitors opt to take the ropeway. Visitors may be interested in the 15 meter tall Tama no Iwa or Jewel Rock. This rock is said to have glowed all night illuminating the surrounding sea. The temple has many miniature Jizo statues which are also popular. The park above the temple is a beautiful place to rest and take in the beautiful surrounding. Please note, this park is quite crowded during the cherry blossom season, as the Senkoji Park is one of hundred most beautiful cherry blossom places in Japan.

Jidoji Temple, the final temple on the Temple Walk is also quite popular. Dating back to the early 7th century, it is said to the oldest temple in this region. Visitors should take time to take in the main hall and the 2 storey pagoda as they are both National Treasures. Though the entrance to the temple is free, a nominal fee (600 yen) will allow visitors into the temple buildings. The temple has many beautiful, historic statues which are registered as Cultural Treasures. Though there is a Japanese guided tour, the beauty of the artwork on the fusuma, sliding door, elegant rooms and breathtaking paintings holds no language barriers. The temple’s well maintained karesansui style garden is also a point of interest.

There are many things to take in, experience and observe on Onomichi’s Temple Walk. This 2.5 kilometer route on the varying terrains allows visitors to understand Japan’s proud cultural past.

The “floating torii gates” within the Seto Island Sea invites visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine　（嚴島神社） located on the beautiful island of Miyajima, in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Itsukushima Shrine has been a Shinto holy site from very early times. In 1168, Taira no Kiyomori, the most powerful man in Japan during the end of the Heian Period, selected the island as the site of his clan's family shrine and built Itsukushima Shrine. The shrine complex consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, a main hall and a Noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks and supported by pillars above the sea.

The shrine and its torii gate are unique in that they were constructed over water. Because of this they appear to float in the sea during high tide. At low tide, the water drains out of the bay. During this time, visitors have the opportunity to walk out and see the gates up close.

The shrine is located on a small inlet, while the torii gates are constructed in the Seto Inland Sea. Visitors can enjoy walking along the paths leading to the shrine while looking at the sea. After sunset, the shrine and the torii gate are illuminated.  Entry into Itsukushima shrine is not permitted at night.  However, visitors can enjoy the illuminated view by spending the night at one of the many ryokans (Japanese inns) on the island.

Alternatively, tourists can view the illuminated island from boat cruises. Though the length may vary, typically, cruises last thirty minutes and take passengers around the bay and through the torii gate (during high tide only). Reservations are required but can be easily made through one's ryokan or at the tourist information desk.

Facility Information
Hours: 6:30 to 18:00 (closing time changes according on the season)
Closed: Opened all year round
Admission: 300 yen (500 yen for combined entry to the Treasure Hall)

Tomonoura (鞆の浦), famous for being the base of the port town in Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo on the Cliff,” is located in the southern part of Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.  In addition to “Ponyo on the Cliff,” Tomonoura has been used as a filming location in for various international and local films, including "The Wolverine" starring Hugh Jackman.

This picturesque port town, a part of the Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea) National Park boasts a traditional fishing townscape, with its a calm and easy-going atmosphere.

In the olden days of sail boats, when merchant ships would travel along the Seto Inland Sea, many shops would dock at Tomonoura while waiting for the tides to change. The town center prospered from merchants passing through the town.  This lead to the development of various industries, including "homeishu", a medicinal liquor of shochu and 16 types of herbs, said to increase one’s life.

Irohamaru Museum (いろは丸展示館)

Irohamaru was the name of a merchant ship that sank in 1867 it is well known because the important historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma was on board at the time.

More than a hundred years later, residents from Tomonoura discovered the wreckage and retrieved artifacts and parts of the ship, which are exhibited at the Irohamaru Museum today. The museum also informs about Ryoma and relating stories about him but unfortunately lacks explanations in English.

Facility Information
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry at16:30)
Closed: December 29 to January 1
Admission: 200 yen

Uwajima is one of nine locations to watch bull fighting in Japan. Uwajima Bull Fights (宇和島闘牛, Uwajima Tōgyū) are held on five days per year in January, April, July, August and October. In domed bullring located on a small hill, huge cattle which weight more than one ton smash into each other.

The competitive bulls are categorized in a similar hierarchical structure as the wrestlers in sumo, each with a rank that befits their performances in the past. The rank names imitate those applied in sumo with the exception of the highest ranked bulls which are named "champions" rather than "yokozuna". In addition, there is a middle weight and a heavy weight class difference in bull fighting, unlike in sumo where there are no weight classes.

At each tournament, around ten matches are placed at the Uwajima Bull Fighting Arena on a hill just above the city center. The arena has a roof, allowing the fights to also take place in rainy weather. The event usually starts at noon and last about three hours, although the day could go on longer because there is no time limit for each bout. The arena offers a shop where drinks and snacks are sold. It is also possible to go inspect the bulls outside of the stadium as they wait for their appearance.

The two bulls are introduced and walked into the arena by their trainers Before each bout. Some crowd favorites have their tailor-composed theme music played, which adds to the spectacle. The stylized tone used by the ring announcer further creates a lively atmosphere. A match starts as the participating bulls lock horns and ends when one of them runs from the fight. Needless to say, the bull that does not flee is declared the winner. The trainers of the winning bull are then presented with a flag and a trophy to the applause of the spectators.

Matches can be short, but typically take several minutes and sometime over half an hour. At times one of the bulls does not show any fighting spirit and is declared loser without any action happening.

Access info
Uwajima Bull Fights take place at the Uwajima City Bull Fighting Arena (宇和島市営闘牛場, Uwajima Shiei Tōgyūjō), about 1.5 kilometers east of Uwajima Station. On event days, free shuttle buses transport spectators between the station and the arena. Free parking is also available on a large unpaved lot.

Information
Advance tickets:2500yen (required to purchase by the day before the fighting)
Doors tickets:3000 yen  (per person)
All seats are non-reserved. Online reservations are possible from one month until two days in advance over an online form in Japanese.

Located in a former guest house of Okayama Castle, the quaint and small Hayashibara Museum of Art focuses on collections of traditional Japanese art, including displays of folding screens, kimono, pottery and swords. The founders are the owners of a successful local business, the Hayashibara family.

Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry is at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum is closed the following day) as well as during New Year holidays. There are irregular closures between exhibitions
New Year holidays and irregular closures between exhibitions
Admission: 500 yen (an additional fee may be needed for special exhibitions)
English Information: Limited

Okayama’s Prefectural Museum of Art is a large building located near Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle. Within the halls of the museum, visitors can find works from artists who share some connection to Okayama Prefecture.  Temporary exhibits are also displayed in the museum and visitors can enjoy an array of collections here.

Access Information:
10 minutes walk from either Korakuen Garden or Okayama Castle

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum is closed the following day) as well as from December 28th to January 4th. There are irregular closures between exhibitions
Admission: 350 yen
English Information: None

Sengan-en Garden (仙巌園), also known as Isoteien (磯庭園), is a Japanese style landscape garden along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima.The use of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay bring amazing landscape as borrowed scenery is one of the garden’s most striking feature. The garden also includes small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove.
Sengan-en was built in 1658 by the wealthy Shimazu Clan, one of the most powerful feudal clans during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The Shimazu ruled the Satsuma domain (today Kagoshima) for almost 700 years until the end of the feudal age in 1868. They continued to be influential into the modern era as some of the earliest adopters of Western science and technology.

At the center of the garden stands the Iso Residence. The residence was originally constructed in 1658 along with the rest of the garden, but the current building mostly dates back to a rebuild of the mid 1880s. The Iso Residence became the main residence of the Shimazu family after the end of the feudal age, and its rooms are preserved in the way they were used in the 1890s. The inside of the residence can only be seen on a paid tour that includes tea and a snack at the end.
Sengan-en has a variety of trees and plants that make the garden scenery amusing in all four seasons. There are a number of cherry trees, especially of the early flowering kanhizakura variety, which open as early as late January. Other cherry tree varieties give flowers through mid April.

Outside the main garden area, but included in the admission price, stands a long stone building that used to serve as one of the earliest Western style machinery factories in Japan. Today it houses the Shoko Shusei-kan Museum with exhibits about the culture and maritime activities of the Shimizu Clan and the early factory and machines which contributed toward Japan's modernization in the 1800s.

Access info
Sengan-en can be reached by the Kagoshima City View bus to Senganen -mae bus stop (every 30 minutes, 190 yen per ride. A 1 day pass available for 600 yen.). The bus can be boarded at Kagoshima Chuo Station, the Shiroyama Observatory, Kagoshima Aquarium and some other tourist spots.
Schedule & cost

Hours: 8:30 to 17:30
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1000 yen (additional 600 yen for tour through Iso Residence)