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 Kurokami Shrine Gate gives you a sense of the size of the 1914eruption.


The eruption that caused the land connection of Sakurajima to the Osumi Peninsula covered the shrine's torii

gate in volcanic ash only during a day and left only the very top still visible above ground.


 

About Sakurajima


Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes and is the symbol of Kagoshima.


The volcano emits smoke constantly, and minor eruptions often occur many times per day.


Located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay,

Sakurajima is the area's most splendid geographic feature as it is located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay.



It has an elevation of 1117 meters and a circumference of about 50 kilometers.


A Powerful eruption happened and burned everything in 1914,

however, grasses and plants are growing these days.


 

Access information
 

In Sakurajima

Travelers visiting Sakurajima can find many attractions just around the Ferry Terminal,
 

including an onsen, foot baths, short hiking trails and an information center.


Those who would like to further explore the volcano should travel by rental car,


which can be taken across the water from Kagoshima by the ferries.


Sightseeing buses, regular buses and rental bicycles are other possible methods of travel.
 

The way up to Sakurajima

Kagoshima and Sakurajima are connected around the clock by frequent ferries.


The one way ride takes 15 minute and costs 160 yen.

The ferry terminal is a ten minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station or a five minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop,

and is also served by the City View Buses.


There are also regular city buses that run infrequently from the ferry terminal along the northern coast (departures every 1-3 hours)

and along the southern coast (departures every 40-90 minutes) of Sakurajima.



 

Kurokami (Shōwa crater) Observation Point


Around here, flowing lava were flowing and the view from here gives you the situation of the Shōwa Eruption.


You can watch its Crater and its frequent small eruptions. You also get sound of explosive and rumbling.


There are other lave areas (eruptions in1471 and 1914) and plant succession can be compared.
 

How to get there

This Observation point is 19km ahead of the ferry terminal.

 It takes 29minutes by car and 6minute walk from “Kurokami syougakkou mae” bus stop.


It’s located a few hundred meters from the Kurokami Shrine Gate close to the volcano's eastern coast. 
 

About Sakurajima

Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes and is the symbol of Kagoshima.

The volcano emits smoke constantly, and minor eruptions often occur many times per day.

Located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay,

Sakurajima is the area's most splendid geographic feature as it is located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay.

It has an elevation of 1117 meters and a circumference of about 50 kilometers.

A Powerful eruption happened and burned everything in 1914,

however, grasses and plants are growing these days.
 

Access information
 

In Sakurajima

Travelers visiting Sakurajima can find many attractions just around the Ferry Terminal,

including an onsen, foot baths, short hiking trails and an information center.

Those who would like to further explore the volcano should travel by rental car,

which can be taken across the water from Kagoshima by the ferries.


Sightseeing buses, regular buses and rental bicycles are other possible methods of travel.

 

The way up to Sakurajima

Kagoshima and Sakurajima are connected around the clock by frequent ferries.
 

The one way ride takes 15 minute and costs 160 yen.

The ferry terminal is a ten minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station or a five minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop,

and is also served by the City View Buses.

There are also regular city buses that run infrequently from the ferry terminal along the northern coast (departures every 1-3 hours)



and along the southern coast (departures every 40-90 minutes) of Sakurajima.

Located off the coast of Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku is the small fisherman island Ibukijima Island (伊吹島).
Visitors may be surprised to learn that this island, only 1 square kilometer in size is the nation’s largest producers for sardines and anchovies.
Visitors interested in the capture and processing of these tiny sea creatures should visit the island from June to August. 

Ibukijima’s roadways are the old-fashioned maze of narrow alleys which makes wandering around this island on foot the best means to explore.
Visitors will find temples and shrines, including the Ibuki Hachimangu Shrine on the island. There are stores and restaurants on the island as well.
 

However, Ibukijima is suffering from depopulation.
Though the island has the top position in sardine/anchovy production, each year the number of residents is declining.
Schools are being closed, due to lack of students and there are several vacant houses on this beautiful island. 

Ibukijima is one of the venues for Setochi Triennale, a modern art festival with multiple exhibit locations among the islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
Ibukijima and the other islands hope to rebrand themselves as contemporary art friendly islands to increase economic and population growth.
One of the pieces from the 2013 show, the House of Toilet, has a permanent home on the island for visitors to appreciate.
 

Access Information
1.  To Kanonji Train Station (nearest train station to Ibukijima)
**From Marugame Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji.
　　The one way journey will take 20-45 minutes with a cost of 550 to 1820 yen.
**From Takamatsu Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji.
　　The one way journey will take 50-75 minutes with a cost of 1090 to 2790 yen.
**From Okayama Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji.
　　The one way journey will take 60-110 minutes with a cost of 1530 to 3230 yen.

2.  From Kanonji Train Station to Kanonji Port
**Via Bus: Board the local bus to the port.
　　The one-way journey is 10 minutes with a cost of 100 yen.
　　 There is 1 bus every 2 hours.
**Via Taxi: The taxi should take about 10 minutes with a cost of about 800 yen.
**On Foot: about 20minute walk from the station to the port

3. From Kanonji Port to Ibukijima
**Board the ferry to Ibukijima.  
　The one-way journey is 25 minutes with a cost of 510 yen.
　There are 4 ferries per day.  


 

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


 

Located in the southern part of Yufuin,
a popular hot springs resort in Oita Prefecture, is Saigakukan,
a ryokan (inn) offering its visitors nice sized onsen (hot spring baths)
with views of Mount Yufu.

The onsen are separated by gender and there
are both indoor and outdoor onsens.
The onsen water used at Saigakukan is drawn from two
hot spring sources with different qualities.

The first type moisturizes the skin.
 The other type is a hydrogen carbonate onsen,
which is said to be the “water of beauty.” 

The inn boasts fine dining facilities featuring
the treasures from the mountain and the sea.
Visitors not spending the night at Saigakukan are more than welcomed to enjoy
lunch and a bath for a nominal fee during the onsen’s daytime hours.
 

Hot Spring Bath Daytime Use Hours:10:00 to 16:00 (last entry at 15:00)
Daytime Admission Fee:  620 yen 
Price of Overnight Stay including Two Meals:  From 17,000 yen per person


 

Visitors looking for a traditional onsen bathing experience in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, may wish to visit the public bath house of Shitanyu.
The simple bathhouse is located near Lake Kinrinko.

Visitors can enjoy bathing under a thatched roof, very old Japan style.
The onsen is located half indoors, leading outside the hut to enjoy the outside scenery.

Note: the baths are gender mixed and users need to bring their own soap, shampoo, etc.

Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 
Admission Fee: 200 yen
Parking:  Free