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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 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.

Higashi Iya History and Folk Museum
The Higashi Iya History and Folk Museum is a history museum at the entrance to Oku Iya.
You will find exhibits and display items like tools, clothes, household items, and other traditional items of the region inside of the facility.

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 
Closed: Weekends and holidays (Dec to Feb), New Year holidays 
Admission: 410 yen

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.

Kazurabashi Bridge 
Suspension bridges made of mountain vines (kazurabashi) were one of the only ways to easily move people and goods across the river of the of the Iya Valley in the past.
Their origins are unclear but legends say that they were either first raised by Kobo Daishi, who was founder of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism,
or built by Heike refugees hiding in the area after their defeat in the Gempei War or Genpei kassen (1180-1185) as a means of quickly cutting off access to the valley.

There are only three surviving bridge as though 13 bridges once spanned the valley.
Iya Kazurabashi (祖谷かずら橋), the largest and most popular of the remaining bridges, stretches 45 meters across the Iya River at the center of the valley,
and offers visitors an restless view of the water 14 meters below the open slats of the span.
The bridge is rebuilt every three years and is anchored to tall cedar trees at both ends and has steel cables hidden within the vines for safety.
The bridge a one way street

Hours: Sunrise to sunset (illuminated in the evenings from 19:00 to 21:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 500 yen
The level of English: Good

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.

Hagi Town, located on the Sea of Japan coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture is a small town with a rich history.

Visitors to this well preserved town have a chance to glimpse a nostalgic Japan with their own eyes.

Among the well preserved buildings in Hagi, is the Kubota Residence. Shoshichi Kubota was originally a kimono merchant.

Later generations of the Kubota family ventured into the sake brewing industry.

This 200 year old residence is a very house.  There are tatami mat rooms which can be divided sliding doors to provide privacy.  

At social events, the doors are opened so the rooms can join to create a large space. 

The residence boasts a traditional Japanese garden as well an excellent collection of Hina Dolls, typically displayed in Japan in March for Girl’s Day.

 Visitors can also view exhibits of tools and lamps from the late Edo Period to the Meiji Period here.
 

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: Opened All Year Round 
Admission: 100 yen (Kubota Residence only) 
310 yen (combination ticket including eight other residences

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
 

Momotaro Karakuri Museum

The story of Momotaro (Peach Boy) is one of the most famous legends in Japan, and it takes place in the region around Kurashiki. Although The Momotaro Museum is a museum dedicated to Momotaro, it is not just a museum of artifacts. While there are some old books and Momotaro artwork on display, the museum is also a fun display of optical illusions. The ticket salesperson will walk you through the first floor of the museum and show you the various tricks. It's fun and quite cute!
                                                    
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (extended hours during the summer) 
Closed: No closing days 
Admission: 600 yen(100yen for a 5 years old or less child)
No English Information

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.



 

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.

Kamado Jigoku
The "cooking pot hell" features several boiling ponds and a showy demon statue as cook.
fumarolic activity here used to boil Rice in order to offer to the gods.On the grounds,
visitors can enjoy hand and foot baths, drink the hot spring water,
inhale the hot spring steam and try various snacks cooked or steamed by the hot spring
 

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

 

The Yoshinogari Historical Park (Yoshinogari Rekishi Kōen) is a remarkable archaeological site in Saga Prefecture.
The vast park covers a large settlement from the Yayoi Period (300 BC - 300 AD) where dozens of pit dwellings,elevated store houses and over 2000 tombs were excavated.
It is the largest and most important Yayoi Period site in Japan, and the best place for people who want to learn about this era of Japanese history.
 

The settlements unearthed at Yoshinogari are believed to have been some of the largest moat surrounded villages of their time and are speculated
to have been the seat of one of the earliest forms of state government discovered in Japan.
Today the ancient site has been preserved with impressive reconstructed villages and visitors can explore and learn about Yayoi life and culture.

The careful reconstructions include dozens of elevated store houses, pit dwellings, watchtowers, shrines and other structures, many of which can be observed from inside.
Some contain tools and implements, while mannequins re-act jobs and ceremonies in others.

Of the reconstructed villages, the Minami Naikaku settlement placed at the center of the park which is one of the most important.
Enclosed by moats and defensive walls, this is where the Yayoi Period kings were thought to have governed from.
Nearby is an exhibition house displays tools and clothes of the Yayoi people as well as artifacts,explaining their agricultural techniques.
Another section displays burial jars excavated around the site.
The exhibitions include detailed English descriptions.

A short walk north is another important enclosed settlement called Kita Naikaku, which is a place for those who were involved in ancient ceremonies.
Further north is another museum focusing on the ancient forest that covered the area two thousand years ago.
A living center near the East Gate allows visitors to take part in hands-on activities
(100 to 500 yen) such as stone carving and building a fire with a bow-drill.

Furthermore, the large park includes other recreational areas such as a sprawling open field where people can picnic and play sports, playgrounds,
disc golf and miniature golf courses, and agricultural fields where flowers and various display crops are grown.
There is a restaurant and souvenir shop.
 

Yoshinogari Historical Park
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (until 18:00 June - August)
Closed: December 31st and the third Monday and Tuesday of January
Admission: 420 yen
Level of English: Good

Access Information:
From Fukuoka
Via Shinkansen
From Fukuoka's Hakata Station, board the Kyushu Shinkansen to Shin-Tosu where you can transfer to a local train for Yoshinogarikoen Station.
The one way journey will take around 35 minutes with a cost of about 2500 yen
(Fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.)
There are good connections once or twice an hour, but keep in mind that not all Sakura trains stop at Shin-Tosu Station along the way.
Via local or limited express train
From Fukuoka's Hakata Station, board a local or limited express train to Tosu and a local train for Yoshinogarikoen.
The trip takes between 45-75 minutes and with a cost of 840 yen by local or about 1500 yen by limited express train.
There are multiple connections every hour.
From Yoshinogarikoen Station it is a 10-15 minute walk or 700 yen taxi ride to the park's East Gate.

From Nagasaki 
Via local or limited express train
Take a limited express train from Nagasaki to Saga and transfer to a local train for Kanzaki Station.
The one way trip takes around two hours with a cost of about 3500 yen
(Fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.) 
Via only local trains
A few direct local trains go all the way in about three hours and for 2130 yen one journey.
From Kanzaki Station it is a 10-15 minute walk or 700 yen taxi ride to the park's West Gate.


 

Tozan Shrine, located in Arita Town of western Saga Prefecture, is a “porcelain” shrine,
incorporating Arita’s famous pottery in the shrine’s construction.

Arita-yaki (Arita Porcelain) has a history of over 400 years, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi brought highly talented Korean craftsmen to Japan.
In 1616, one of these talented gentleman discovered kaolin, one of the main ingredients for porcelain.
The kaolin was discovered at Izumiyama Quarry. As a result, Arita became the first place porcelain was produced in Japan.

Tozan Shrine was founded in 1658.
It is dedicated to Emperor Ojin, Nabeshima Naoshige, and Yu Sam-pyeong
(the father of Arita Porcelain).
The shrine has porcelain Komainu—guardian dogs—as well as a porcelain Torii gate.
In April 2000, the porcelain torii gates were designated as Tangible Culture Properties. 

Facility Information: 
Hours: Always open 
Admission: Free
 

Tonbai Wall Alleys are an important part of the porcelain pottery history in Arita, western Saga Prefecture.
Over 400 years of Toyotomi Hideyoshi brought several talented Korean craftsmen to Japan.  
One of the highly skilled men discovered kaolin, the main ingredient for porcelain, in the Izumiyama Quarry.

Thus, Arita became the first city in Japan to produce porcelain items.
The kilns and pottery brought fame and fortune to the small town of Arita.
With the products being of high quality, the porcelain products were sold both domestically and internationally.
With the international products being shipped out of Imari Port, Arita-yaki (Arita pottery) was also known as Imari-yaki.

The Arita-yaki potters lived and worked behind the Tonbai Walls.
Here, the potters could create without worrying about competitors stealing their tricks of the trade.
These walls are composed of old bricks made from the kiln as well as discarded pottery and porcelain.
The walls are intact and remain a popular sight for visitors even today.


 

Arita Town located in Western Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, is a lovely town known for its local porcelain pottery, Arita-yaki.
Over 400 years ago, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had brought several high skilled Korean craftsmen to Japan.
One of these men discovered kaolin, the rock needed in producing porcelain in the Izumiyama Quarry.
Thus, Arita Town became the first place in Japan to produce porcelain items.

The Prefectural Museum of Kyushu Ceramic Arts is located near Arita Station.
It is the best source for local pottery.
Various collections such as the Shibata Collection, displaying Arita pottery manufactured from 1603 to 1867, have been shown at this museum.
The museum vows to contribute to the local cultural heritage as well as develop ceramics and pottery throughout the Kyushu region.

Facility Information
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 
Admission: 100 yen 
Closed: Mondays (except during Golden Week), December 29th to January 3rd