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.

On the other side of the beautifully arched Kintai-kyo Bridge in Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, visitors can see the statue of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi.  Kikkawa, the 3rd lord of Iwakuni, was heavily involved in the construction of the bridge after the original bridge was washed away.

Behind Kikkawa’s statue is Kikko Park, a beautiful, spacious area blessed with nature. During the Edo Periods, the residences of the Kikkawa family were located here, in Kikko Park with relatives living nearby.  As a result, in addition to the fountains and spectacular natural surroundings, Kikko Park contains ruminants of former samurai residences and museums displaying historic artifacts of this part of Japan.

Choko-kan Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed the following day)
Admission: Free
This museum features artifacts on everyday life.  However, there are Japanese traditional scroll paintings as well as displays of Kintai-kyo Bridge.

Tsuwano Town, in Shimane Prefecture, is one of the many towns known as “Small Kyoto”.  

Towns in Japan with strong historic atmosphere, ones which preserves traditional structures receive this nickname.  

A quick walk around this beautiful town will demonstrate why Tsuwano is deserving of the “Small Kyoto” nickname.

The Tonomachi district, one block away from the former samurai district, is a glimpse from the past.

Visitors will enjoy the earthen stone walls, traditional buildings, and most of all the canals filled with carp.

Images of samurais and kimono wearing maidens walking these Edo streets can easily appear in one’s minds as they wander around.

Nearby, between Tsuwano Station and the Tonomachi District is the former merchant district.

Though not as preserved as the Tonomachi District, this area also has old-style Japanese stone walls as well as historically structured buildings.

 In addition, there are Japanese sake stores and museums here.

 

The Ohashi family, a wealthy family among the merchants of Kurashiki, built the Ohashi House in 1796.  The house is a typical Kurashiki townhouse or machiya.  The house has the atmosphere of a wealthy merchant’s house with its elegant sliding doors and hanging scrolls in the tatami mat rooms.  In addition, there are separate private rooms, storage rooms and a kitchen.

There is a noticeable difference between the Ohashi House and other machiya. The Ohashi House is not built directly on the road.  There is a front gate and an open space area.  During the Edo Period (1603-1867), this architectural style was exclusive to the samurai residence.  The caste system dictated the samurais at the top of social scale with the merchants at the bottom.  The Ohashi House incorporating the architectural style reserved for samurais reflected the family’s local importance.
 
Location and Access Information:
From the northern end of the canal area, it was a few minutes by foot.  It is opposite side of the Motomachi-dori, main road.
From the station, go south on the main road (Motomachi-dori).  Turn right at the second set of the traffic lights.  Visitors can find the Ohashi House on their left, about 1 minute away.

Korakuen is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as "borrowed scenery".

The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Korakuen in 1687 as a place of entertainment for the ruling family and a location for receiving important guests. Occasionally, the public was permitted to enter the garden.
In 1884, a few years after the end of the feudal era, Korakuen became the property of Okayama Prefecture and was opened to the public. The garden suffered damage from floods in 1934 and bombing during the war, but it has always been restored to its original state thanks to the accurate records kept by the garden's designers.

Korakuen is a spacious garden that incorporates the typical features of a Japanese landscape garden, including a large pond, streams, walking paths and a hill that serves as a lookout point. Rather unique for a Japanese garden, however, are Korakuen's spacious lawns. Also found in the garden are groves of plum, cherry and maple trees, tea and rice fields, an archery range and a crane aviary.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Korakuen is about 1.5 kilometers or a 25-30 minute walk east of Okayama Station. Trams on the Higashiyama Line can be taken to Shiroshita stop (5 minutes, 100 yen, frequent departures) from where the garden's south gate can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk. Alternatively, a bus runs between Okayama Station and Korakuen-mae bus stop (20 minutes, 140 yen, every 15-25 minutes), which is located just beside the garden's main gate.

Note that there are two entrances to Korakuen: a main gate beside the Prefectural Museum and a south gate near the bridge that crosses to Okayama Castle.

  Hours: 7:30 to 18:00 (March 20 to September)
             8:00 to 17:00 (October to March 19)
Admission ends 15 minutes before closing time.
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 400 yen (Korakuen only)
                 560 yen (Korakuen and Okayama Castle; not available during special exhibitions at the castle)
Various other combination tickets are available

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.

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.

Emerging from behind a curtain of mountains, to a hot springs oasis is truly Yufuin (由布院), Oita Prefecture, in Kyushu.
It is located near Beppu, another famous hot springs resort in Oita Prefecture.

Visitors may be surprised when they first enter Yufuin.  
Mount Yufu with its twin peaks can be seen from almost every location in town, watching over the town residents.
The walkways with the traditional onsen (hot springs) eateries will be encountered as well as many modern boutiques and cafes.  
Yet, there are horse (with tourists in their carriages) galloping through town. Yufuin is a combination of traditional onsen town meeting the 21st Century.
 

Visitors will find the Yufuin to be easy to explore.
There are walkways throughout the town.
Along the pathway, visitors can see art museums, boutiques and café, with beautiful Lake Kinrinko at the end of the walkway.
There are shops around Lake Kinrinko for visitors to browse as well.
There are rice fields and farm houses off the walkway showing a rural side to this town as well.
 

The lodging, hotels and ryokans (traditional inns) are not in one area, but spread out throughout the town.
Visitors may wish to walk to other ryokans to bath in the onsen (hot springs bath)
there as some ryokans allow non-guests to use their bathing facilities for a nominal fee.



 

Shoya no Yakata is a popular hot springs ryokan (inn) located in Yufuin, a famous hot springs resort in Oita Prefecture.
Shoya no Yakata is located in the northern part of Yufuin, on a hill.
Visitors can see steam clouds emerging from the hot spring sources in this part of Yufuin.
 

Shoya no Yakata is famous for its cobalt blue water.
 The baths are separated by gender.
 Shoya no Yakata has outdoor onsen (hot spring baths), as well as family baths and even a foot bath.
A family bath is a private bath where only member of that family can use the bath.
A nominal fee is charged for the privacy.

Hot Spring Bath Daytime Use Hours:  9：30 to 16:00
Daytime Admission Fee:  800 yen
Price of Overnight Stay including Two Meals:  From 26,000 yen per person



 

A popular ryokan (inn) located within Yufuin, a hot spring resort in Oita Prefecture, is Baien.
The ryokan has both Japanese style tatami rooms as well as Western bed-based guest rooms.  
 

The large, outdoors hot springs baths are quite beautiful (gender separated).
On clear days, bathers are able to view Mount Yufu while they are relaxing in Baien’s warm waters.
And the baths are not limited to Baien’s overnight guests.
Visitors not staying at Baien may experience the beautiful baths during the day for a nominal fee.
 

Baien also has a large Japanese traditional garden which may be fun to explore.
The garden is 10,000 tsubo in size (1 tsubo is 3.3 ㎡).
There are different flowers according to the season, making walking through the garden a great, beautiful exercise.
 

And the food served at the ryokan is pleasing both to the eyes and the stomach.
Food prepared at a ryokan is cut and shaped in a creative and aesthetic style.
Being in tune with the seasons, guests may find a seasonal leaf or flower (like a dandelion in the spring)
served alongside their meal.
 

Hot Spring Bath Daytime Use Hours:  11:00 to 15:00
Daytime Admission Fee:  600 yen
Price of Overnight Stay and Two Meals:  From 19,000 yen per person

 

Yufuin visitors may wish to pop into Musoen, a popular ryokan (inn) located in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, for a refreshing bath.
The ryokan’s outdoor onsen (hot springs) boasts the best view of Mount Yufu.   

Musoen has 31 Japanese style guestrooms and 3 Japanese-Western type rooms.
The baths are gender separated.
In addition to the outdoors bath, this ryokan has indoor baths and private, family outdoors and indoors onsen.

Overnight guests at Musoen can enjoy the superb dinner and breakfast included the overnight stay price.
 Food served at the ryokan is pleasing both to the eyes and the stomach.
The food is cut and shaped in a creative and aesthetic style.
Being in tune with the seasons, guests may find a seasonal leaf or flower (like a dandelion in the spring) served alongside their meal.
 

Hot Spring Bath Daytime Use Hours:   10:00 to 15:00 
Daytime Admission Fee: 700 yen 
Price of Overnight Stay including Two Meals:  From 18,000 yen per person