Iya・Oboke・Ikeda

Iya Vine Bridges

In the secluded area of the Iya Valley lies a vine bridge made from hardy kiwi, which is 45 meters long and 2 meters wide and is 14 meters above the water. The beautiful shape of the bridge is reflected in the clear water of the Iya River that lies below, creating a scene that is in harmony with nature and shows different colors throughout the four seasons. Designated as a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property, it is now a popular sightseeing area.

Highlights

1

Only Two Bridges Remain

Vine bridges in this area were built over the Iya River and served as an indispensable route for the local’s daily lives, but presently the only bridges that remain are the “Iya Vine Bridge” (Iya Kazurabashi) and the “Oku Iya Double Vine Bridge” (Oku Iya Niju Kazurabashi).
2

Year-Round Beautiful Scenery

The bridges overlook the streams of the Iya River. In spring wisteria bloom, summer gives birth to fresh greenery, autumn covers the leaves in brilliant colors, and winter offers brilliant snowy scenes. Each season presents an awe-inspiring sight.
3

Oku Iya Double Vine Bridge

Located about an hour’s drive from the Iya Vine Bridge is the Oku Iya Double Vine Bridge, which consists of two bridges. It is said that the Heike Clan, after being defeated in the Genpei War in the 12th century, constructed the bridges in order to attend training at Mt. Tsurugi and the Heiki Riding Grounds.

Details

Local Cuisine of Iya

Near the vine bridge you can try “dekomawashi”, a local food of the Iya region that consists of local potatoes, tofu, and konnyaku basted with yuzu miso and then grilled on a skewer. In Japanese, “deko” refers to a type of puppet used in Tokushima’s famous puppet theater (Ningyo Joruri) and “mawashi” means to turn. The ingredients of dekomawashi are placed on the skewer in such a way that they resemble a puppet.

Water Fun

The Iya River, which flows under the bridges, has a beautifully clear stream that is perfect for playing on the shore in the summer. There is also a small waterfall nearby that offers a cooling spot.

Bridge Illumination

Every day from 19:00 to 21:30, visitors cannot cross the Iya Vine Bridge because it is illuminated, which creates a completely different scene from the daytime.

Biwa Falls

This is where defeated Heiki warriors fleeing from Kyoto were said to have comforted one another by playing the biwa (Japanese lute). It is located close to the Iya Vine Bridge and is approximately 50m high. The frozen waterfall in winter is truly a sight to behold.