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.

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



 

Visitors looking for a traditional onsen bathing experience in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, may wish to visit the public bath house of Shitanyu.
The simple bathhouse is located near Lake Kinrinko.

Visitors can enjoy bathing under a thatched roof, very old Japan style.
The onsen is located half indoors, leading outside the hut to enjoy the outside scenery.

Note: the baths are gender mixed and users need to bring their own soap, shampoo, etc.

Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 
Admission Fee: 200 yen
Parking:  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.

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.


 

Usa Shrine (宇佐神宮) is located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture.
Built in the 8th Century, it is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of archery and war.

The Hachiman-zukuri style of architecture is reflected in Usa Shrine.
The shrine’s main hall (a designated national treasure) and another hall are connected by same roof, making the two halls into a single building.
In addition, the two halls are surrounded by a covered corridor so it is difficult for “outsiders” to have a clear view into the halls.

Usa Shrine’s grounds contain an upper shrine complex, a lower shrine complex, a treasure hall, a couple of ponds and several auxiliary shrine buildings.
Typically visitors enter the grounds through either its north or west entrance.  Outside the north entrance are many small stores selling local souvenirs and other products.

The north entrance leads visitors to the Omotesando, the main shrine approach, where they will pass under the big vermilion torii gate to enter the shrine’s grounds.  
Visitors will see the treasure hall on the right.
 The treasure hall contains different cultural artifacts exhibits.
 Of particular significance is the ceremonial percussion instrument with a peacock emblem which is a designated national treasure.

Treasure Hall
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00
Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a national holiday) 
Admission: 300 yen

From the west entrance, visitors will see a beautiful bride with a thatched roof known as Kurehashi.
Unfortunately, the gates to the bridge is closed and only opened once every ten years during a festival.
From the west shrine approach, visitors can walk to the Omotesando, the main shrine approach, while viewing the large pond with lotus plants.
 In addition to the lotus plants, visitors will notice a structure in the center of the lake.  
The structure is a Noh stage.

The upper shrine complex at the top of the hill consists of three main halls which are dedicated to Hachiman (Emperor Ojin),
to his mother (Empress Jingu) and to his wife (Hime Okami).
The lower shrine complex at the base of the hill also has three main halls dedicated to the same three deities.
However, it is believed the halls in the upper shrine complex are more important than the lower shrine complex.

Access Information:
Via Bus:  From Usa Station board the bus to Usa Shrine.
The journey should take about 7 minutes and the cost is 240 yen one way. There are buses every hour.
Via Taxi:  From Usa Station to Usa Shrine, a taxi would cost about 1600 yen one way.

USA Shrine
Hours: 5:30 to 21:00 (from 6:00 from October to March) 
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: Free


 

Usuki's samurai district is located at its city center,
and parts of it keep the flavor of an old castle town with their stone paved alleys lined by premodern looking houses.

The main attraction is the Nioza Historical Road, a 200 meter photogenic narrow alleyway which runs along temples and residences built in Edo Period style architecture,
making a feeling of the past. Parallel to it runs the "Haccho Oji" Shopping Street, a merchant street with a neighborhood atmosphere,
lined by shops selling local specialties, groceries and etc. Walking westwards for about five minutes brings you to Ryugenji, with nice three-storied pagoda.

The Ruins of Usuki Castle
It is located on the eastern side of the district. Currently a neighborhood park is located on the former castle grounds.
Unfortunately, most of the castle buildings including the main keep have been destroyed over the years,
and today the only prominent structures remaining are a turret and a gate standing along the park's entrance. 

Nioza Historical Road and Castle Ruins 
Hours: Always open
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: Free

Today visitors can visit the Inaba Residence, local feudal lord during the Edo Period where the family used to live whenever they returned to visit
their home town after they had moved to Tokyo in the Meiji Period.
The beautiful wooden residence is set in a tranquil ambience, with simple and elegant interior design, several tatami mat rooms,
wide corridors and a nice garden.
Another samurai residence open to public is the Marumo Residence, placed at the southern end of the town center.

Inaba Residence
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 320 yen (residence only) 
1090 yen (also includes stone Buddhas and two other museums)

Marumo Residence
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holidays
Admission: Free

The Usuki Stone Buddhas (Usuki Sekibutsu) are statues of various Buddhas sculpted into a cliff about five kilometers southwest of Usuki's central city.
Buddha statues are usually made of wood or metal in Japan.
Usuki's statues are a rarity and the only stone Buddhas in Japan to be designated as national treasures.

Stone Buddhas
The Stone Buddhas are divided into four groups, which are just a short walk away from each other.
It takes about 30 minutes to complete an easy paved trail that passes by all of them.
These beautiful statues are estimated to have been created around the late Heian Period (794-1185).
They are carved from highly workable, soft, volcanic rock from nearby Mount Aso. 

Hours: 6:00 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from October to March)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 530 yen (Stone Buddhas only) 
1090 yen (also includes Inaba Residence and two museums in the city center)

Mangatsuji Temple
A five minute walk across the field from the stone Buddhas is Mangatsuji Temple, which is a simple temple in the calm neighborhood.
A pair of stone sculpted Nio guardians or Kongōrikishi stand in front of the temple.
There are also a few other stone sculptures on the temple's grounds, which includes one of the Buddhist priest that according to legend created the stone Buddhas.

Yamako Usuki Art Museum
It is a small, two-storied museum , exhibiting relics belonging to the local feudal lord of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
The museum also displays a variety of artifacts from the Kamakura to Muromachi Periods such as earthenware, Chinese porcelain and stone objects,
all recovered in local excavations in recent decades. 

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen (museum only) 
710 yen (museum and stone Buddhas)
Level of English: Minimal

Access Information:

Via Bus
From Usaki Station to Usaki Sekibutsu bus stop
It takes 20minute with a cost of 310 yen.
The buses operate only once every one to two hours, 
 
Via Taxi
A cost is around 2000yen from Usaki Station.

The Oita Prefectural Museum of History (Ōita Kenritsu Rekishi Hakubutsukan) is an excellent museum to learn Oita's history,
culture and key attractions.
It is located in Usa City at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula, just a few kilometers away from the Usa Shrine.

At the center of the museum stands a must-see life-size reconstruction of Fukiji Temple's main hall.
In stark contrast to the actual hall whose interior and object of worship have faded in color over the centuries,
the reconstruction show the splendor of how the hall's interior looked like when it was first constructed more than 800 years ago.
The museum also showcases replicas of the Usuki Stone Buddhas and the Kumano Magaibutsu Stone Buddhas.

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday), December 28 to January 4
Admission: 310 yen
Level of English: Moderate (good English pamphlet)

The Kunisaki Peninsula's terrain consists of the 721 meter tall Mount Futago at the center and a series of valleys radiating from it.
The region's calm countryside is dotted with dozens of temples and some shrines and was traditionally divided into six areas.
The region was therefore collectively known as Rokugo Manzan (Six Towns Full Mountain).

Kumano Magaibutsu Stone Buddha (熊野磨崖仏)
Two large stone carve into the walls of a cliff:
an eight meter tall Fudomyoo and a nearly seven meter tall Dainichi Buddha.
They are the largest Buddhist stone carvings in Japan, but are not as elaborate sculpted as the Usuki Stone Buddhas, as they were carved into harder rock than the ones at Usuki.
It is unknown when exactly these huge stone carvings were made, but it is estimated that they were created in the late Heian Period.
In order to see the carvings, visitors have to walk through the forest for around 30 minutes first along a gravel path and then along a steep flight of stairs.

Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 200 yen

Access Information:
Because of public transport, it is very inconvenient to get to the temples The most convenient method to get around is a rental car.
Rental car outlets can be found at Oita Airport and in Usa and Beppu.