Iwakuni Trip Overview
Iwakuni City is located in the easternmost part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, near the border with Hiroshima Prefecture, and is an area that still retains the nostalgic cityscape of a castle town.
On this tour, you will visit tourist attractions throughout the castle town, as well as experience Iwakuni’s unique traditions and culture.
The highlight of the tour is, of course, the Kintai Bridge! The five-arch wooden bridge, also known as the “Miracle Bridge”, blends in beautifully with the gorgeous scenery of the castle town.
From the Kintai Bridge, you will be able to see Iwakuni Castle, which towers majestically over the mountains. From the castle’s keep, you can delight in a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea’s islands.
There will also be many other experiences such as tasting the local cuisine and sake that can only be found in Iwakuni, and meeting cute and rare animals related to Iwakuni!
Additional Info
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Starts: Iwakuni, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Iwakuni Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan
Iwakuni City is located in the easternmost part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, near the border with Hiroshima Prefecture, and is an area that still retains the nostalgic cityscape of a castle town.
On this tour, you will visit tourist attractions throughout the castle town, as well as experience Iwakuni’s unique traditions and culture.
The highlight of the tour is, of course, the Kintai Bridge! The five-arch wooden bridge, also known as the “Miracle Bridge”, blends in beautifully with the gorgeous scenery of the castle town.
From the Kintai Bridge, you will be able to see Iwakuni Castle, which towers majestically over the mountains. From the castle’s keep, you can delight in a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea’s islands.
There will also be many other experiences such as tasting the local cuisine and sake that can only be found in Iwakuni, and meeting cute and rare animals related to Iwakuni!
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kintaikyo Bridge, 1 Iwakuni, Iwakuni 741-0062 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Kintai Bridge: Completed in the 1600s after overcoming many difficulties, this is the largest tourist attraction in Iwakuni. The five arches floating on the river are breathtakingly beautiful and loved by many tourists. Enjoy the sight of one of the three most famous bridges in Japan, and feel its rich history.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Iwakuni Stone Doll Museum, 2-2-18 Yokoyama, Iwakuni 741-0081 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Iwakuni Stone Doll Museum: A museum of stone dolls, which have been a specialty of Iwakuni since the Edo period. The stone dolls, which are said to be found only here, are actually nests made by insects in the Nishiki River! Take a look and admire these mysterious sculptures created by nature.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: さくらの茶屋, 2-chōme-3-10 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan
Sakura No Chaya: A Japanese-style cafe located at the foot of Kinjyo Bridge, the upper part of the Kintai Bridge. On a sunny day, you can sit outside on the terrace and feel the nice breeze coming from the Nishiki River. Tuck into a delicious lunch made with Iwakuni specialties.
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Iwakuni Chokokan, 2-7-19 Yokoyama, Iwakuni 741-0081 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Iwakuni Chokokan: A museum where you can learn about the history of Iwakuni. Its massive stone-like building, built during the war, is said to have been constructed using bamboo instead of iron, making it a very unique structure. One of the highlights of the museum is the interior design based on the motif of the Kintai Bridge.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Iwakuni Castle, Yokoyama, Iwakuni 740-0001 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Iwakuni Castle: This castle is located on top of a mountain and can be reached by ropeway. From the observatory of the castle tower, you can enjoy spectacular views of both Iwakuni City and the Seto Inland Sea. There is also a permanent exhibit featuring armour and swords in the castle tower, so take your time to enjoy the castle and feel like a lord!
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Kashiwabara Museum, 2-10-27 Yokoyama, Iwakuni 741-0081 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Kashiwabara Museum of Art (formerly Iwakuni Art Museum): This is one of the few museums in Japan featuring a comprehensive display of samurai armour. These swords and helmets that were used from the Warring States period to the end of the Edo period are works of art that contain the souls of warriors who fought for life and death. Some of the pieces are based on familiar objects, we recommend observing and studying each one carefully.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum, 2-6-52 Yokoyama, Iwakuni 741-0081 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Iwakuni White Snake Museum: A museum dedicated to the white snake, which has been revered as a “messenger of the gods” in Iwakuni since ancient times and is designated as a national natural monument. Here, you can see them up close and personal! Let’s learn all about its history and ecology, while enjoying a close look at this auspicious white snake.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Kikko Unosato, 2-6-55 Yokoyama, Iwakuni 741-0081 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Kikko Unosato: This is a breeding facility for cormorants, which play an active role in Iwakuni’s summer tradition of “cormorant fishing” along the Nishiki River, upstream from Kintai Bridge. Here, you can watch the cormorants training and eating food. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of these adorable cormorants!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Shokujidokoro Musashi, 2-chōme-1-23 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan
Take no Sato Musashi: A famous restaurant in Iwakuni, located at the foot of Kintai Bridge. The reason for its popularity is its soft-serve ice cream, which is available in over 150 varieties! From classic flavours, to surprising flavours not common in ice cream, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to try these unique flavours!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Iwakuni Visitors Center, Honke Matsugane, 1-7-3 Iwakuni, Iwakuni 741-0062 Yamaguchi Prefecture
Honke Matsugane: A popular spot where you can sample Iwakuni’s specialties at surprisingly low prices. This store, built in a renovated merchant house that once represented Iwakuni, is a fun place to visit. Delight in, to your heart’s content, the rare varieties of sake, and Iwakuni gourmet food that can only be enjoyed here.
Duration: 30 minutes
