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.

Museum of History and Folklore(歴史民俗資料館)

The Tomonoura Museum of History and Folklore provides information about the industries of Tomonoura and historical events that took place at the town. It displays exhibits relating to the daily life of the local people, such as festival floats, models of merchant ships and artifacts of the former Tomo Castle. The museum is only somewhat interesting with little English information.

Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
Closed: Mondays (Open on Mondays for national holidays), New Year holidays
Admission: 150 yen
 

Uwajima Castle (宇和島城, Uwajimajō) is one of only twelve original castles that survive intact from the Edo Period (1603-1867). The small but atmospheric castle was built around the turn of the 17th century and was later furbished up when the Date family took over ownership in 1615. The Date clan continued to rule Uwajima from Uwajima Castle through the Edo Period. The castle stands on a hill which was located just by the sea in the past, but land reclamation along the coast has resulted in it standing further inland today.

Visitors can approach the castle's keep starting from the north or south. The each route travel uphill on flights of stone steps meandering past moss covered stone walls and leading through the forest, which consists of an interesting variety of vegetation. About halfway up the hill along the northern approach stands the Yamazato Soko(山里倉庫), a storehouse built relatively recently in 1845. The structure now serves as a small museum, exhibiting festival props, craft tools, an old rickshaw and other items.

After a 10-15 minute climb, visitors will reach the castle's three storied main keep at the hill's flat-topped summit. The keep's genuine wooden interior is well-preserved, and climbing up two floors worth of steep wooden stairs to the top floor rewards visitors with nice views over Uwajima City. There are some exhibits within the main keep, such as armors and swords belonging to past feudal lords, besides portraits of them. 
Access info
The northern trailhead to Uwajima Castle can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk from Uwajima Station. From there, it takes an additional 10-15 minutes to climb up the hill and get to the main keep.

Schedule & cost
Hours: 6:00 to 18:30 (until 17:00 from October to March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free
Main Keep
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from October to March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 200 yen

Yamazato Soko Storehouse
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00
Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday), December 29 to January 3
Admission: Free

One of Japan’s oldest shrines, Izumo Grand Shrine, Izumo Taisha (出雲大社) lies in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.

No one knows the exact date of when the shrine was constructed.

However, the existence of the shrine was apparent in the early 700s according to Japan’s oldest chronicles.

Izumo Taisha’s main deity (kami) is the Okunininushi no Okami. According to legend, Okuninushi was creator of the land in which Japan lies as well as the ruler of Izumo.

He also has another role, which is the deity of good relations and marriage.

At Japanese shrines, before a prayer, we clap twice.  However, at Izumo Taisha, we clap four times—twice for ourselves and twice for our partner, present or future.

The Kamiari Festival is held at Izumo Taisha every year, from the 10th to the 17th day of the 10th lunar month.

 During this period, it is said Shinto’s eight million deities from across Japan gather at Izumo Taisha.

 The 10th lunar month is known as Kamiarizuki (“month with deities”) in Izumo and Kannazuki (“month without deities”) elsewhere in Japan.

Izumo Taisha’s grounds are quite large and spacious.  There are many torii gates and halls, that visitors can explore the grounds to see and experience the magnificence of this shrine.
 

Some places of special importance:

 Matsu no Sando: walking north of the large wooden torii gate (entrance into the shrine), the road divides into 3 paths by the pine trees.  Please do not use the center path, as it is said this path is reserved for the deities.  

 Shimenawa in Worship Hall (Haiden): as visitors enter the main shrine grounds, they will see a wooden structure with a huge sacred straw rope (shimenawa) hung across the structure. The shimenawa signifies the presence of a deity and separates divine space from the mortal world. Large shimenawa are a characteristic of this region, found also at other shrines in Izumo.

 Main Hall (Honden):  behind the worship hall, Honden is 24 meters tall.  It is the tallest shrine building in Japan.  The current structure, built in 1744, is constructed architecture style is called Taisha-zukuri.  Taisha-zukuri is a purely Japanese style which predates the entry of Buddhism into Japan.

 Jukusha:  in the outer fence area there are two long wooden structures on both sides of the main sanctuary. Jukusha is where the deities meet when they gather for their yearly meeting.
  

Access Information:
Izumo Taisha is located in the outskirts of Izumo City, about one hour west of Matsue. Izumo's main railway station is called Izumoshi Station.
 

From Izumoshi Station
From the railway station, Izumo Taisha can be reached by either train or bus.
*By Train:
**Via Ichibata Railways. Transfer trains at Kawato Station.  Disembark at Izumo Taisha-mae Station.  The journey will take about 20 minutes and the one way fare is 490 yen.
From Izumo Taisha-mae station, it takes about 5 minutes on foot to the shrine.
*By Bus:
**Board the bus from bus stop number one.  There is a bus departing the station every 30 minutes or so.  The bus ride should take about 25 minutes and the cost is 520 yen one way.
 

From Matsue City
From Matsue, Izumo Taisha is most easily reached by Ichibata Railways:
*By Train:
**Board the train from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station.  Transfer trains at Kawato Station. Disembark at Izumo Taisha-mae Station.  The journey will take about 60 minutes and the one way fare is 810 yen. (Visitors have the option of purchasing a one day pass for unlimited usage of Ichibata trains for 1500 yen)
From Izumo Taisha-mae station, it takes about 5 minutes on foot to the shrine.
**For Japan Rail Pass holder, taking a JR train from Matsue to Izumoshi Station (25-40 minutes) may be better.  For access information from Izumoshi Station, refer to the above “From Izumoshi Station” section.


 

Haibara Samurai Residence
This large restored samurai residence was home to the Haibara family, who were high ranked samurai during the Edo Period. Visitors can explore the residence's many tatami rooms, kitchen and toilet, and view the gardens.           

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: December 29 to January 3 
Admission: 400 yen (also includes entry to Orii Residence)                                        

Ikegami Merchant House
This was the home of one of Takahashi's most powerful merchant families during the Edo Period. The restored building served as a residence, storefront and soya sauce factory and today houses a museum displaying the methods and tools used to produce soya sauce.    
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: December 29 to January 3 
Admission: 300 yen
                                   
Takahashi Folk Museum
Located in an atmospheric Meiji Period building, the Takahashi Folk Museum is packed with nearly 3000 tools, appliances and other items and memorabilia collected over the past centuries. The second floor displays portable shrines that were used in local festivals.

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: December 29 to January 3 
Admission: 300 yen

Takahashi Historical Museum
The Takahashi Historical Museum is located a few blocks south of the station. The museum displays a permanent exhibition on the city's history and culture including several intricate dioramas explaining the construction of and life in the castle town. A separate exhibition hall displays artworks created by Takahashi citizens.
                                                         
The sights around Takahashi's old town are easily explored on foot and lie within a few minutes walk of each other and within a 10-15 minute walk from Bitchu-Takahashi Station. The Youme Town Shuttle Bus (100 yen) and Takahashi City Loop Bus (160 yen) loop through the town about once per hour

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) 
Closed: Tuesdays (or following day if Tue is a holiday), December 28 to January 4 
Admission: 300 yen

Ivy Square is a complex of brick buildings covered in ivy.

This building houses cafes, shops, exhibition spaces, museums and a hotel. .

This is quite a pretty and interesting place to wander around.

The area was the site of the first modern cotton mill in Japan, and the brick buildings were originally built as part of the mill in 1889.

During the Edo Period (1603-1867), before the construction of the mill, the site was used as the office of the local magistrate, who exercised control of the city as a direct representative of the shogunate.

In building Japan's first modern cotton mill, the Kurashiki Bosekijo (Kurashiki spinning mill) company, also known as Kurabo, reaped the profits of introducing new industrial techniques to the country.

The company is still active today in the textile and various other industries.

Kurabo has built a memorial hall in one of the former cotton warehouses which traces the company's history to the present day.

A number of other museums are located within and around Ivy Square.


 

Takegawara Spa is Beppu’s most famous bath house.
Built in 1879, it is one of the oldest bathhouses.

 Though renovated a few times, its wooden roof is symbolic of a Beppu bathhouse.
Visitors can experience conventional baths as well as sand baths here.

 Note: the water is hot here, so please proceed with care. 

Daytime Hours: conventional hot springs bath 6:30 to 22:30
sand bath 8:00 to 22:30 (last entry at 21:30) 
Admission Fee: conventional hot springs bath 100 yen
sand bath 1030 yen 

 

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.

Chinoike Jigoku
The "blood pond hell" features a pond of hot, red water effected by ferrous Oxide, Magnesium Oxide and etc.
Aluminium Oxide and a large souvenir shop. It is one of the more photogenic of the eight hells.
People in Japan's past named the Onsen Chinoike-jigoku based on an image of hell found in Buddhism.

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


 

Mount Inasa (Inasayama) is a 333 meter high mountain and near Nagasaki's city center. 

The summit can be reached by ropeway, bus or car and offers nice views over the city.
As a matter of fact, the night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan's three best night views besides the views from Mount Rokko and Mount Hakodate. 

An observation deck with restaurant is placed at the summit. 

Access Information:
By ropeway The ropeway ride takes five minutes with a cost 720 yen (one way) or 1230 yen (round trip).
A discount coupon is available online.
Operation hours are from 9:00 to 22:00 (suspended for maintenance in early December).
It departs every 15-20 minutes. 

From Nagasaki Station to the ropeway's lower stationTwo of them are connected with frequently operating Nagasaki Bus.

From "Takaramachi" tram stopIt takes a five minute walk.

By car or taxi Parking is available close to the summit of Mount Inasa.
The car ride from Nagasaki Station takes roughly 15 minutes, while a taxi ride costs around 2000 yen one way. 

By bus From mid March to mid December, Nagasaki Bus provides a connection from Nagasaki Station to Inasayama bus stop,
which takes a 15 minute climb from the summit. 
The one- way journey takes roughly 15 minutes with a cost 150 yen.
The buses run every 30-60 minutes.

 

Heiwadai Park, or Peace Tower Park, was built in 1940 to celebrate the 2600th anniversary of the ascension of Emperor Jimmu,who was the first emperor of Japan,
on what is believed to be the original site of his capital.

Inside the park stands Heiwadainoto, or the Peace Tower, a tower constructed of stones sent from all around Asia and one of Miyazaki's most famous landmarks.

The Peace Tower was meant to be a symbol of a united world.
On the front of the tower is the phrase "Hakko Ichiu", which is attributed to Jimmu or Emper and means "United under one roof".
While it is a little ambiguous what he meant, this was often used as a rallying cry for imperialists who believed that peace wouldreign once Asia was united under Japanese leadership.

Heiwadai Park also has an interesting acoustic trick.
If you face the Peace Tower from the center of the wide lawn at its base and make a sound,
your sound will be magnified and reflected back toward you.

At the far end of the park is the Haniwa Garden, a collection of over 400 replica haniwa (burial figurines) depicting animals,
warriors, dancers, houses and boats arranged along a walking path through the trees.
During the Kofun Period these clay figurines were placed around burial mounds in tribute to the deceased.

Hours: Always Open
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

Access Information:
By Bus 
From Miyazaki Station (West Exit), board a bus for Heiwadai Park.
There are 1-2 direct buses per hour .The one way journey takes about 30 minutes with a cost of 320 yen.
Alternatively, board a bus in the direction of Tachibana Dori and get off at the Depato Mae bus stop (4 minutes, 150 yen)
and then transfer to a bus bound for Heiwadai Park (12 minutes, 240 yen). 
Heiwadai Park can also be reached in a 15 minute walk from Miyazaki Shrine and the Prefectural Museum.

Miyazaki Shrine (Miyazaki Jingū) is the oldest and most important shrine in the city.
The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, who was the first emperor of Japan, it is said to have been established over 2600 years ago.

The shrine's buildings, constructed of simple, unpainted cedar, placed in the center of a large, quiet forest.
Festivals and other events such as Japanese horseback archery competitions (yabusame) are held during the year on the wide path under the trees.

The Miyazaki Prefectural Museum stands on the same ground as Miyazaki Shrine.

Hours: Always open
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

Access Information:
1. From Miyazaki Jingu Station, it takes 5 to10 minutes by walk.
2. From Miyazaki Station, board a bus for Miyazaki Jingu. The one way journey takes 10minutes with a cost of 210yen.