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.

Ryukyu Mura (Ryukyu Village) is a small theme park featuring of traditional
Okinawan culture in the form of a recreated village from the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The village shows a traditional residence with a red tiled roof and surrounding stone walls against typhoons,
a shrine and various workshops where visitors may participate in hands-on experiences such as playing the
sanshin guitar, pottery, weaving a coaster or painting a small shisa statue.

A variety of performances are held at the village, including eisa taiko drumming, dances, parades ,
concerts and reenacted historical ceremonies.
Visitors also have the opportunity to eat some popular Okinawan dishes and purchase a wide range of local souvenirs.

Access Information:
Ryukyu Mura is located in central Okinawa Honto, about 30 kilometers north of Naha.

Via bus
From Naha, board bus number 120 to Ryukyu Mura-mae bus stop
(琉球村前; 80 minutes, 1070 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 90 minutes,
1160 yen from Naha Airport; 2 buses/hour)

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 17:30
( From July.1 to Sep30. 9:00 to 18:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1200 yen


 

Nakijin Castle (今帰仁城) is a Ryukyuan castle or fortress (gusuku) located in Nakijin,
the main island of Okinawa and one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Nakijin Castle Ruins are located on the Motobu Peninsula of northern Okinawa Island
and In contrast to other castles on Okinawa, Nakijin Castle stands in an area of low population
density with verdant forests that give the ruins with a unique atmosphere.

Nakijin Castle was constructed in the late 1200s.
During the Sanzan Period (1322-1429),
Okinawa Island was divided into three kingdoms: the Hokuzan in the north, the Chuzan in the middle and the Nanzan in the south.
Nakijin was used as the castle of the Hokuzan king until it was taken over
by the Chuzan on their way to unifying the island and forming the Ryukyu Kingdom.

In the ground, there is also History and Culture Center with a small
museum displaying items unearthed on the castle grounds, such as Chinese pottery,
coins and documents besides exhibiting about everyday life and culture of Nakijin Village.

Facility Information: 
Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 (extended hours in summer)
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 400 yen (castle and museum), 150 yen (museum only)
Level of English: Minimal

Access Information:
The Nakijin Castle Ruins are located on the Motobu Peninsula in northern the main island of Okinawa,
about 90 kilometers from Naha, and about a ten minute car ride from the Ocean Expo Park.

Via Yanbaru Express Bus
The Yanbaru Express Bus directly connects the airport and city center of Naha with Nakijin Castle.
Get off at Nakijin Joseki Iriguchi (今帰仁城跡入口), from where it is a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the castle ruins.
The one way journey takes about 2.5 hours with a cost of around 2000 yen.
There are six round trips per day. In central Naha, the bus stops at the Prefectural Office (県庁北口),
Tomari Port and Furujima Station along the Yurail monorail among other locations.

Via regular buses
From Naha to Nago Bus Terminal, board highway bus number 111.
 (90 minutes, 2040 yen from Naha Bus Center; 105 minutes, 2190 yen from Naha Airport; 1-2 buses/hour)
and transfer to bus number 65 or 66.
Get off at Nakijin Joseki Iriguchi
(今帰仁城跡入口, 45-60 minutes, 790-1000 yen, 1-2 buses per hour),
from where it is a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the castle ruins.

 

Okinawa, Japan’s favorite beach vacation destination, offers many experiences for its visitors.
 Visitors heading to Hedo Misaki or Cape Hedo, north of Nago in Honto (Okinawa Main Island),
will see spectacular views.

The main road to Hedo Misaki leads along the western coast.
 Halfway between Nago and the cap is a hiking trail, taking hikers to the Hiji Waterfall—another beautiful sight.

The less direct approach to Hedo Misaki is along the more scenic but less developed eastern coast.  
This route is recommended as visitors can experience spectacular coastal scenery.  
However, as there is no bus service along the eastern coast,
visitors will have to rent a car or arrange private transportation to explore this route.

Access Information
Cape Hedo is the northernmost point of Okinawa Honto, about 115 km from Naha.
Via bus
1.  From Naha, take highway bus number 11 to Nago Bus Terminal.
 From Naha Bus Center, the one-way journey will 90 minutes with a cost of 2100 yen.
From Naha Airport, the one-way journey will take 105 minutes with a cost of 2190 yen.
 There are one to two buses per hour.
2.  At Nago Bus Terminal, transfer to bus number 67 for Hentona Bus Terminal.
The one-way journey will take 60 minutes with a cost of 1050 yen.
There are one to two buses per hour.
3.  At Hentona Bus Terminal, transfer to a municipal bus line to Hedo Misaki.
The one-way journey will take 35 minutes with a cost of 500 yen.  
There are 3 buses per day.

Via car
From Naha to Hedo Cape, the journey via Okinawa Expressway
will take 2 and a half hours with a cost of 1000 yen (one way).


 

The Ocean Expo Park, in Okinawa is fun for the whole family!!
Located on the tip of the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto,
this park was built in 1976 in commemoration of the Okinawa International Ocean Expo 1975. 

The park is quite large at about three kilometers along the coast.
Though there are walkways between the facilities, visitors have the option of using
shuttle buses which operate between the park's attractions.
 There are at least two buses per hour.
The shuttle buses are not free so visitors may choose to spend 200 yen for a one-day unlimited rides pass. 

The Churaumi Aquarium located in the Ocean Expo Park is said to be the best aquarium in Japan.
 In addition there are many fun and exciting facilities in the park! Some of the highlights include the following facilities: 

**Oceanic Culture Museum is located just beside the park's central gate.
There are displays of ship replicas as well ocean-related displays from other parts of Asia and the South Pacific.  
Visitors can see a giant replica of a Lakatoi canoe from Papua New Guinea as well as trade ship used for travel
between the Ryukyu Kingdom and other Asian countries. There is a planetarium here as well. 

**Native Okinawan Village is located next to the Oceanic Culture Museum.
 This small open air museum displays over twenty residences and other buildings from various time periods and regions of Okinawa.
There is no admission fee and visitors can freely wander between the structures.

**Tropical Dream Center is a beautiful botanical garden with an array of tropical trees and plants housed in multiple greenhouses.
The center also has a Tower of Babel--a 36 meter tall observatory tower.

**Emerald Beach is an attractive sand beach on the northern part of the park.
Emerald Beach is divided into three separate sections:  a beach for playing and swimming,
a beach for resting and a beach for viewing.
Each section is carefully maintained, keeping in mind safety and comfort and most of all, the conservation of nature.

Facility Information:
Hours: Park: 8:00 to 19:30
(until 18:00 from October to February)
Individual attractions typically open half an hour later and close half an hour earlier.
Closed: First Wednesday of December and the following day.
Admission: Entry into the park is free, but some attractions require admission:
1850 yen (Churaumi Aquarium)
690 yen (Tropical Dream Center)
170 yen (Oceanic Culture Museum)
Note:  There are some days where entry into some attractions is free.
(Tropical Dream Center/Oceanic Culture Museum is free for elementary school children
on May 5th and for those over 65 years of age on Sept 15th.
In addition there are various days throughout the year where entry into these two attractions is waived for everyone).  
For current information, please check the homepage of the park.

Access Information.
The Ocean Expo Park is located on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa Honto,
about 90 kilometers from Naha.
**Express Bus
*By Yanbaru Express Bus: 
Board from the following locations:  Naha Airport, Prefectural Office, Tomari Port and Furujima Station.  
There are 6 round trips per day.  The journey will take a little over 2 hours with a cost of 2000 yen.
**Regular buses
1.  From Naha Bus Center, board highway bus number 111 to Nago Bus Terminal.
The journey will take 90 minutes with a cost of 2100 yen.  
From Naha Airport, board the same highway bus number 111 to Nago Bus Terminal.
The journey will take 105 minutes with a cost of 2190 yen.
2.  At Nago Bus Terminal, transfer to bus number 70 to Kinen Koen Mae (記念公園前) bus stop in front of the Ocean Expo Park.
The buses are infrequent.  The journey will take 50 minutes with a cost of 880 yen.
*Note: there are a few buses on line 65 and 66 which also can take visitors to the Ocean Expo Park.
Please check the Ocean Expo Park’s homepage for more details.
**By car
From Naha, take the Okinawa Expressway to the northern end near Nago.
The toll is 1020 yen.
 From Nago, travel along the regular roads to cross the Motobu Peninsula to Ocean Expo Park.
The journey should take about two hours one way.
During rush hour, expect a longer journey.


 

Japan southernmost group of islands, Okinawa,has many sights of interests for its visitors.
Iriomote Island (西表島) is Okinawa’s second largest island.
Being undeveloped, natural lovers will be happy to learn 90% of the island is a jungle with its own mangrove forest.
The Iriomote Yamaneko, a type of wildcat, is found only on Iriomote Island.
However, it may be difficult to encounter this nocturnal animal as they are an endangered species with less than 100 yamaneko in existence.

The best way to explore the island is by its rivers.
The two longest rivers of the island are the Urachigawa (Uchigawa River) and the Nakamagawa (Nakama River).
Boat cruises are available among these two rivers.
Other options include a guided Kayak tours along these two rivers as well as some of the smaller rivers.

There are a number of Kayak tours visitors can select from.
From waterfalls to visiting one of the smaller islands, kayak tour participants need to paddle to their destination.
Safety vests and paddling instructions are provided.
Due to weather conditions, tours may be cancelled or destinations altered. 

The length and cost of the Kayak tour vary according to the tour agency.
Some packages include lunch whereas in other tours, participants need to provide their own refreshments.

Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island,
is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place,
such as restaurants and bars. Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.

Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

Cape Higashi-Hennazaki 
The cape of Higashi-henna-zaki (東平安名岬) is a nationally-designated
Place of Scenic Beauty located at the southeasternmost point of Miyako.
At the very end of the cape is a white lighthouse which gives 320 panorama view of the ocean,
a very popular spot for sunrise viewing.

Lighthouse
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30
Admission: 150 yen

Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island, measuring about 25 kilometers
from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.


 

Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island,
is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns,
among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place, such as restaurants and bars.

Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.
Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

Tropical Botanical Garden
It is a spacious park for recreation and the study of tropical plants in inland Miyako.
Several walking trails with the over 1600 types of plants that include trees,
bushes and flowers from Miyako and from Hawaii, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Admission: Free 
Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island,
measuring about 25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.

 

Miyako Island (Miyakojima),
located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island, is known for some of Japan's
best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.

The island is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of eating place,
such as restaurants and bars.
Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island.
Unlike other parts of Okinawa, there are no habu snakes in Miyako.
Miyako Island offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest,
and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands.

 Ikema and Kurima Bridges 
Freely traversable by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot
Miyako is connected to two of its neighboring islands by the bridges.
At the northern tip of Miyako, the 1.4 kilometer long Ikema Ohashi leads to Ikema Island,
while the 1.7 kilometer long Kurima Ohashi connects Kurima Island with Miyako in the southwest. 

Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island, measuring about
25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.

 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.
Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors. 

Hatenohama Beach
It is an uninhabited island ,an approximately seven kilometer long sand bar surrounded by water just east of the island,
is Kumejima's most popular attraction.
White sand of the beach can only be accessed by joining a tour. 

On the sandbar, swimming is restricted to the calmer northern beach,
and the sand is a little rougher than it seems from a distance.
The sea has a moderate variety of fish that can be observed while snorkeling.
Toilet is the only facilities available on the sandbar.

Access Information
Half day around 3500 yen; full day with lunch around 5500 yen
Some companies operate tour boats between Kumejima and Hatenohama Beach.
Half day and full day tours are offered. 


 

Kumejima (久米島) is an island, part of the Okinawa Islands.
It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Island.
Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture.
Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a trip longer than ten kilometers.

Like many other of the small islands in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima,
snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors.

Eef Beach 
Eef Beach is located beside the one of famous tourist activity on Kumejima.
Nonetheless, it does not get excessively crowded, as it stretches around two kilometers along the coast.
Its facilities include changing and toilets.
Nearby hotels and businesses offer a range of water activities.

Admission: Free
Parking Fee: Free