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.

Takamatsu Shopping Arcade is the long, covered shopping street from Takamatsu Castle to Ritsurin Koen.  Known in Japanese as a shotengai, these shopping streets consisting of small family businesses were an important part of life in Japan in the past. Said to be the longest covered shopping arcade in Japan, Takamatsu Shopping Arcade is nearly 2.7 kilometer in length.

With the passage of time, more and more shopping arcades in Japan are moving away from small family businesses to large corporate chain stores.  The northern end of the Takamatsu Shopping Arcade (near Takamatsu Castle) was been redeveloped into an upscale shopping plaza with tenants such as Louis Vuitton and Coach.  Hungry visitors best visit Lion Dori, a street running parallel to the main shopping street.  Here visitors will find an array of eateries, including places which serve the local delicacy, Sanuki Udon.

Hours:  varies from store to store.  In general, most stores are opened from 11am to 7pm or so.
Holidays:  varies from store to store.  Many stores are opened every day.  Some stores are closed once a week, typically on a Monday or Wednesday.

Access Information:
From JR Takamatsu Station or Takamatsu Castle, it is a 10 to 15 minute walk. 

Sakurajima Visitor Center

You can learn about Sakurajima there.


It simply exhibits and explains the history and nature to understand Sakurajima deeply.

In the pavilion, which consists of nine parts,

the history of Sakurajima and the transition of plants,

sightseeing information and disaster-prevention activities are available.


You can experience the active volcano Sakurajima over the hi-vision theater, the diorama and our computer programs.


Much of the information is provided in English and Chinese.


It is right next to the Sakurajima ferry terminal
 

Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 

Admission: Free 

Closed: No closing days

Etc: Barrier-free, WC, Souvenir shop

 

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.


 

It’s Sakurajima's main observation points and has the highest elevation at 373 meters giving a panorama view.


It allows you to watch the Kagoshima city across the Kinko Bay. The sun setting over the sea should be noted. 


It is the closet to Sakurajima's crater, about 2.5 kilometers away. It’s located along the volcano's western slope.
 

How to get there

 The Yunohira Observation Point is 8km ahead of the ferry terminal.

Near to theYunohira-tenbosyo bus stop(湯之平展望所)

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.



 

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



 

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


 

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 

 

Naruto, part of Tokushima Prefecture, is the northeastern most city on Shikoku Island.
The city is known for its swirling whirlpools.
You can see them in the Strait of Naruto underneath the Onaruto Bridge which connects Tokushima to Awaji Island. 
Naruto is also the starting point of the Shikoku Pilgrimage or Henro. which is a religious pilgrimage where one goes around visiting the 88 holy temples on Shikoku.
 

Otsuka Museum of Art
It was built in Naruto Park on the occasion of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group's 75th anniversary.
It is the largest museum in Japan. Inside, there are more than 1,000 replicas of priceless masterpieces of Western art selected by a committee of 6,
from ancient murals to modern paintings, and collection from more than 190 art museums in 25 countries worldwide.
These masterpieces are reproduced to their original size using special techniques Visitors will able to appreciate the true artistic value of the original works,
and experience art museums of the world while being in Japan.

Access Information 
The Otsuka Museum of Art stands in Naruto Park, several kilometers outside central Naruto. 
Via Bus:
Buses between Naruto Station and Naruto Park make a stop in front of the museum along the way.
The one way journey from Naruto Station takes about 15 minutes with a cost 280 yen.
There is one departure per hour.
The museum is also about a ten minute walk from the Naruto Koen bus stop.

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


 

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). 


 

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.