Osaka Trip Overview
The Iya Valley (祖谷渓, Iyakei) is a remote, mountainous valley in western Tokushima Prefecture. Located deep in the heart of Shikoku Island, the secluded valley is characterized by steep mountain slopes and deep rocky gorges which were traditionally crossed by vine bridges. Three of the vine bridges, Iya Kazurabashi and the Oku-Iya Kazurabashi bridges, are maintained to this day and remain some of the most popular attractions of the area. Iya is also well known for its hot springs and outdoor activities.
・You can enjoy one day tour by Shinkansen and direct bus from Osaka with private English Speaking Guide.
・Visit to one of 3 vine bridges, Iya Kazurabashi and enjoy the Oboke Gorge River Cruises (tickets are excluded)
Additional Info
Duration: 14 to 15 hours
Starts: Osaka, Japan
Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Day Trips
Explore Osaka Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Osaka, Osaka, Japan
The Iya Valley (祖谷渓, Iyakei) is a remote, mountainous valley in western Tokushima Prefecture. Located deep in the heart of Shikoku Island, the secluded valley is characterized by steep mountain slopes and deep rocky gorges which were traditionally crossed by vine bridges. Three of the vine bridges, Iya Kazurabashi and the Oku-Iya Kazurabashi bridges, are maintained to this day and remain some of the most popular attractions of the area. Iya is also well known for its hot springs and outdoor activities.
・You can enjoy one day tour by Shinkansen and direct bus from Osaka with private English Speaking Guide.
・Visit to one of 3 vine bridges, Iya Kazurabashi and enjoy the Oboke Gorge River Cruises (tickets are excluded)
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Arde Shinosaka, 5-16-1 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-Ku, Osaka 532-0011 Osaka Prefecture
Meet with English speaking guide at Shinosaka station (Shinkansen central ticket gate) , Take a Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Okayama and local train from Okayama station to Uno or Takamatsu.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Takamatsu, Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku
Take a Kotobus Iya valley around Takamatsu station
Duration: 7 hours
Stop At: Kazurabashi Yumebutai, 345-1 Imakubo Nishiiya-yamamura, Miyoshi 778-0102 Tokushima Prefecture
Kazurabashi Bridge (Iya area)
Iya Kazurabashi (祖谷かずら橋), the largest and most popular of the remaining bridges, stretches 45 meters across the Iya River at the center of the valley, and gives visitors an unsettling view of the water 14 meters below the open slats of the span.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Oboke Koboke, Yamashirocho, Nishiu, Miyoshi 779-5451 Tokushima Prefecture
Oboke Gorge (大歩危, Ōboke) and neighboring Koboke Gorge (小歩危) a little ways downstream, are narrow, steep sided gorges near the entrance to the Iya Valley and popularly combined with a visit there. Cut by the swirling rapids of the Yoshino River, their names mean “big dangerous steps” and “small dangerous steps” as their jagged, rocky walls can be perilous to navigate.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Michi-no-Eki Oboke, 1553-1 Kamimyo Yamashirocho, Miyoshi 779-5452 Tokushima Prefecture
Oboke Sightseeing Boat Cruise (Ticket exclude)
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1200 yen
On this gentle 30 minute boat ride down the Yoshino River, guides point out interesting rocks, many of which resemble different animals, along the way. Boats depart and return to a dock a short ways away from Lapis Oboke and Oboke Station. Passengers take off their shoes and sit on the floor of the boat during the cruise.
Duration: 1 hour
