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.

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.

And, not only is there a variety of springs, there are many different type of baths offered here.
In additional to the conventional indoor and outdoor onsen (hot springs bath),
there are facilities which offer sand baths, steam baths, or mud baths.

Hyotan Onsen in Beppu is the only Michelin 3 star hot springs in Japan.
 Hyotan Onsen is a public bath house which offers steam baths and sand baths in addition
to the conventional indoor and outdoor hot springs baths.

In addition to the eight different, gender separated baths, Taki no Yu, or the Waterfall Bath is quite popular with
its single waterfall stream of hot springs hitting the bather’s shoulder or back, providing warm relief.

Private baths are also available at an hourly charge.
And there is a foot bath for those who would like a small taste of the Hyotan Onsen experience.

The bath house has a rest room for visitors to relax in after their hot bath.
In addition, there is a restaurant serving both local food as well as common Japanese food like tempura or curry rice.

Among the local food is the “Jigoku Mushi Ryori”.
Jigoku Mushi Ryori are local foods steamed from the heat of the hot springs.

Hyotan Onsen has its own original ice cream,
Yura soft—a combination of hot spring jelly mixed with thick vanilla ice.
 

Hours: 9:00 to 1:00am 
Closed: Irregular Holidays 
Admission: 750 yen (560 yen after 6pm)



 

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.

And, not only is there a variety of springs, there are many different type of baths offered here.
In additional to the conventional indoor and outdoor onsen (hot springs bath),
there are facilities which offer sand baths, steam baths, or mud baths.
 

Myoban Yunosato 
It is located in the Myoban district on the slopes above the city.
Yunosato provides indoor and outdoor baths with good sulfuric waters.

The outdoor baths have majestic scenery The complex also features shops and huts
for the production of yunohana (encrustations left by hot springs).
 

Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (until 21:00 from Nov to Mar) 
Last entry is one hour before closing time.
Admission: 600 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.

Umi Jigoku
One of the more beautiful hells, the "sea hell" features a pond of boiling, blue water.
In its spacious gardens, there are a few secondary, orange colored hells and a large,
clear water pond with lotus flowers whose big leaves are strong enough to ride small children.
 

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

 

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.

Oniishi Bozu Jigoku
This hell is named after the mud bubbles, which emerge
from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks.
Gray thermal mud at boiling temperature looks like the
bald head of a bouzu or a Buddhist monk.
It is located next to the Umi-jigoku.
There are also foot bath and onsen inside the area

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

Shiraike Jigoku
Known from its name, the "white pond hell"has a pond of hot, milky water.
The pond is surrounded by a nice garden and a small, older side aquarium,
taking advantage of the heat of the earth.
 

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

Oniyama JigokuTaking advantage of the heat of the earth,
this Jigoku has a largenumber of crocodiles on the grounds of the
"monster mountain hell"It sells the following foods.
Steamd potatoes, egg, corn, bean-paste ban, meat bun, sweet wine etc

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

 

Visitors may be interested in walking through the shopping streets or shoutengai in downtown Kochi City, Shikoku.
There they may come upon a small red bridge known as Harimayabashi.
A forbidden love story surrounds this famous downtown Kochi landmark.

The story is of a priest from Gadaisan and a girl from Kochi.
The priest was forbidden by his temple to have relationships.
As a result, the couple met in secret and continued by exchanging romantic presents.
One day, the priest was seen buying a female hair comb in Harimayabashi which led to the forbidden relationship being discovered.
The couple fled the city to avoid persecution for their love.

In addition to Harimayabashi, there are many shopping arcades and shopping streets—shoutengai—for visitors to explore.
Visitors can find many traditional Japanese items like the previously mentioned hair combs.
Also, they may see some naruko. Shaped like a paddle, these noise makers were used by farmers to keep the birds away from their crop.
Still playing an important role in Koichi, naruko are used during Koichi’s Yosakoi Dance Festival.

Access Information:
On Foot:
**Visitors can walk to Harimayabashi from Kochi Station. It should take about 10 minutes.
Via Tram
**Harimayabashi is a 4 minute tram ride from Kochi Station.


 

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

Takasakiyama Monkey Park
Mount Takasaki (Takasakiyama) is a forested mountain just outside of Beppu.
The mountain is a home to more than 1500 wild Japanese monkeys.
These monkeys are fed regularly by park staffs in order to keep them on the mountain and prevent conflicts with farmers and residents in the vicinity.

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 510 yen

Access Information:
From Oita station
Oita transportation bus "Oitaekimae" → "Takasakiyama nature Dobutsuenmae"
* "Jiang line about" bus ride "Kannawa line", "Kunisaki Line"
It takes about a 10 minute bus ride.
The "Monkey Marine Ticket" for 2260 yen consists of a round trip from Beppu
to the monkey park and admission to the monkey park and nearby Umitamago Aquarium.

 

The Kuju mountain range (Kujūsan) is part of the Aso-Kuju National Park and includes the highest peak in Kyushu.
The mountains are covered by a network of hiking trails that ｏｆｆｅｒ magnificent views of the volcanic terrain.
Between late October and mid November, Kuju becomes one of the best places to enjoy fall colors.

The Kuju mountains are located along the Yamanami Highway that extends from Beppu to Aso as PART of the fascinating Trans Kyushu Route.
The two main the beginning of a trails for the Kuju mountains are located at the Makinoto Pass and the Chojabaru Visitor Center,
which are both along the popular road.

Of the park's two main trailheads, the Makinoto Pass is located at a higher elevation and is closer to the main mountain peaks,
while the Chojabaru Visitor Center has informative displays about the area and more facilities.
Depending on the trailhead and route taken, a round trip to Kuju's main peaks typically takes between four and six hours.

Because of the area's volcanic activity, there are quite a few onsen (natural hot springs) in the Kuju area.
Around the base of the mountains there are a few ryokan and hotels with hot spring baths that can be used by overnight guests and in some cases day trippers.
The especially attractive hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen is also located nearby.

Chojabaru Visitor Center
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 from May to October)
Closed: December 29 to January 3
Admission: Free

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

Umitamago
Umitamago, is also known as "Oita Marine Palace", is an attractive aquarium just outside of Beppu.
The main water tank  includes over 90 types, and 1500 fishes so if you stand on the glass floor you can feel like you are inside the ocean.
Animals living in Umitamago include seals, otters, dolphins, penguins and various fish.

A visit to Umitamago Aquarium is best combined with a visit to the nearby Takasakiyama Monkey Park.

Access Information:

From Oita station
Oita transportation bus "Oitaekimae" → "Takasakiyama nature Dobutsuenmae"
* "Jiang line about" bus ride "Kannawa line", "Kunisaki Line"
It takes about a 10 minute bus ride.The "Monkey Marine Ticket" for 2260 yen
consists of a round trip from Beppu to the Umitamago Aquarium and admission
to the aquarium and nearby Takasakiyama Monkey Park.