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.

Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (Kōshi-byō) is said to be the world's only Confucian shrine built outside China by Chinese hands dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. This particular Confucius Shrine was built in 1893. Today, it also houses the Historical Museum of China.

Nagasaki Confucius Shrine
Hours: 8:30 to 17:30 (last entry at 17:00)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 600 yen

Access Information:
Nagasaki's Confucius Shrine is a short walk from the "Ouratenshudo-shita" tram stop on the tram line number 5, at the foot of the Dutch slopes
 

Kadoya  one of the art house project

Kadoya was the first art house completed. This nearly 200-year old house was restored using Japanese plaster, smoked cedar board, and traditional tiles. Artworks on display include a LED display set in a pool of water, a window turned into a digital display and an unconventional Japanese scroll painting.

Works:Tatsuo Miyajima
Closed : Mondays  Open on Mondays for national holidays but closed the next day
Hours: 10a.m-4:30p.m
Admission: 410yen

Part of a larger tourist facility that includes a hotel,

shops and restaurants, the Magma Onsen has hot spring baths that are open to day trippers.


It should be noted that the baths have large windows and you can look out across water to Kagoshima City. 

 

Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 

Every Wednesday open from 13:00-for cleaning)

Admission: 300 yen 

Closed: No closing days

A hand towel is available for 200yen.
 

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.

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.



 

Located within the hot springs prefecture of Oita in Kyushu is the world famous hot springs resort town of Beppu.

Visitors can experience eight different springs here:
Beppu, Kannawa, Myoban, Kankaiji, Hamawaki, Kamegawa, Horita and Shibaseki.

It has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu.
They are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion, which might not appeal to everyone.
Six of them are located in the Kannawa district and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.

Yama Jigoku
The "mountain hell" features small ponds of steaming hot water and a small zoo with large animals.
The name of Yama Jigoku (mountain hell) was named after the view with emission of water vapor around the mountain. 

Hours: 8:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen

 

The Iya Valley (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.

Mount Tsurugi (Tsurugisan) is a 1955 meters high mountain that stretcha out the eastern end of the remote Iya Valley.
Mount Tsurugi is the highest mountain in Tokushima prefecture and the second tallest one on Shikoku Island.
It is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains and a center of Shugendo, a Japanese folk religion based on mountain worship. 
Mount Tsurugi is a popular hiking is popular as hiking destination and, despites its name which means Sword Mountain, is not difficult climb.
A comforting chairlift brings visitors to a station near the summit while looking down (up) picturesque scenery.
From there it takes about 30 minutes to hike the most direct route to the peak, although there is an another route via Otsurugi Shrine which takes just a few minutes longer.
At the top you will find a shrine, mountain huts, weather towers, and wooden boardwalks designed for those people who enjoy hiking that lead to various viewpoints with panoramic
views out over the surrounding mountains.
More enthusiastic hikers can climb the entire mountain from the trailhead at Mi no Koshi near the lower chairlift station.
The hike crosses the chairlift at one point and takes about two hours one way.

Hours: 9:00 to 16:45 (8:00 to 17:45 during summer holidays)
Closed: Late November to early April
Admission:1030 yen (one way), 1860 yen (round trip)


Access Information 
1.A rental car is recommended for visiting Mount Tsurugi.
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.

Located within the hot springs prefecture of Oita in Kyushu is the world famous hot springs resort town of Beppu.

Visitors can experience eight different springs here:
Beppu, Kannawa, Myoban, Kankaiji, Hamawaki, Kamegawa, Horita and Shibaseki.

It has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu.
They are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion, which might not appeal to everyone.
Six of them are located in the Kannawa district and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.

Tatsumaki Jigoku
The "spout hell" features a boiling hot geyser with strength to burst over 50 meters.
A stone plate above the geyser prevents it from reaching its full height.
The hot geyser erupts every 30 to 40 minutes for about 6 to10 minutes.
A short walking trail leads up the forested slope in the back of the hell grounds.

Hours: 8:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen


 

Gunkanjima is a small island located about 20 kilometers from Nagasaki Port.
The island was populated from 1887 to 1974 as a coal mining facility. 

The island's most notable features are the abandoned and undisturbed
concrete apartment buildings and the surrounding sea wall.

Over 5000 residents called the 480 meter long, 150 meter wide island home,
resulting in the highest population density in history recorded worldwide.

To accommodate so many people in such a small area, every piece of land
was built up so that the island came to resemble a huge battleship.
As a matter of fact, "Gunkanjima" is a nickname that means "battleship island" in Japanese.
The island's formal name is Hashima. 

Coal was first discovered on Gunkanjima in 1810 by the feudal lord of Saga.
Industrial mining began in the late 1800s, and soon after, the island was purchased by the Mitsubishi Corporation.
As production increased, the island was expanded, and large residential, industrial buildings and high sea walls were constructed. 

Managers, workers and their families all called the little island home.
The residents of the island were able to live out a just about typical life.
Half of the island was devoted to the workings of the mine, the other to
residential space, schools, shops, restaurants, a hospital and a public bath.

In April 1974, the mine was closed, and its residents had to leave the islands, abandoning the island with all its buildings.
Over the years since that, direct exposure to typhoons has caused the residences and mining facilities to deteriorate,giving the island an ghostly and haunting atmosphere.

Boat tours
Multiple companies operate boat tours to Gunkanjima.
Tours typically take around three hours, including close to an hour spent on the island itself,
and cost about 4000 yen per person.
Note that in case of bad weather or high waves, landing on the island
might not be possible or boats might not be able to operate at all.
One company also offers a 2-hour tour that only circles around the island for 3300 yen.
Advance reservations are recommended especially on weekends and during holidays.
 

Access Information:
Tour boats are operated by plural companies and depart from various locations in Nagasaki Port.

From the Nagasaki train station 
Get into the street tram number 1, heading for "Syokakujishita", and get off at the "Tsukimachi" station.
Don’t forget receiving a transfer ticket and get into the street tram number 5 from the other side of the home, heading to "Ishibashi".
Get off at the "Ourakaigandori Street" station (2 stations away from the "Tsukimachi" station),
and head for the "Gusto" restaurant, which stands in front of the Tokiwa Terminal.

Huis Ten Bosch (Hausu Ten Bosu) is a theme park in Nagasaki Prefecture which recreates a Dutch town.
It is named after one of the residences of the Dutch Royal Family.
The spacious resort is suffused with a European atmosphere with its scenic canals, iconic windmills, beautiful gardens and architecture. 

Seasonal flowers still more enhance the attractiveness of the scenery.
Visitors can have a good time indulging in the view while enjoying the many attractions,
savoring a meal at one of the many restaurants or relaxing in a leisure boat on the canals.

There are also seasonal events, for example, a tulip festival during spring and a fireworks competition in the summer. 

The resort is divided into two areas:
the Theme Park Zone which requires paid admission and the Free Zone which can be entered for free.
Both zones feature various kinds of free and paid attractions, although the majority of them are located in the Theme Park Zone.

An all-you-can-ride passport is available for most of the attractions in the Theme Park Zone,
but it does not cover the paid attractions of the Free Zone.
The Theme Park Zone has various amusements in the buildings of its reproduced Dutch old town.
Many of them are modern theaters featuring 3D technology and so forth,
including two popular attractions originally found at the Expo 2005 Aichi.

In addition, there is also a Michael Jackson museum, mirror maze, haunted house, Ferris Wheel and a replica of the Domtoren (Dom Tower)
of Utrecht of Netherlands with panoramic views from its observation deck. 

The Free Zone's main attractions are a theater and boat ride related to the popular comic series"One Piece" and a replica of the Palace Huis Ten Bosch, which houses an art museum. 

Several hotels with a European theme are located around the theme park, including two of the most popular hotels in the theme park zone.
One is the Hotel Europe with refined restaurants and occasional classical concerts.
Another is the Hotel Amsterdam.
Staying guests at the respective hotels are advised to check at the counter for discount tickets to the Theme Park Zone. 
 

Hours:
Varying hours, typically from 10:00 to 20:00
during low season and from 9:00 to 21:00
during peak season; see the official website for details in English, Chinese and Korean.
Admission ends one hour before closing time. 

Closed: No closing days 

Admission:
6200 yen (admission to Theme Park Zone + unlimited entry to most attractions) 
3800 yen (admission to Theme Park Zone only) 

Access Information:
From Fukuoka Via hourly JR limited express trainIt connects with Huis Ten Bosch Station to Station.
(110 minutes, around 3800 yen, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass).
Of these trains, five per day travel directly between the stations;
others are needed a transit to a local train at Haiki Station, which is six minutes from Huis Ten Bosch Station. 

From Nagasaki 
Via the JR Seaside LinerIt connects with Huis Ten Bosch Station to Nagasaki Station.
(75 minutes, 1470 yen, hourly trains, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass). 

From Nagasaki Airport 
Via the high speed boat service is the most convenient way to get to the resort from here.
(50 minutes, 1960 yen, hourly departures between 10:00 and 15:00).