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Oboke?Iya Recommended Route

Iya is one of the three mysterious lands in Japan. The sightseeing course includes Kazurabashi, must-see places in Oboke?Iya like Hinojikeikoku and Shobenkozo, and Biwanotaki, where the tragic story of Heike clan is hidden.

  • 00
    JR Oboke station.
  • 01
    Rest Area Oboke and Yokaiyashiki
  • 02
    Oboke Ravine Pleasure Boat
  • 03
    Heike Yashiki Museum of Folklore
  • 04
    Hinoji Valley
  • 05
    Peeing Boy
  • 06
    Kazurabashi Story House
  • 07
    Iya-no-Kazura Bashi
  • 08
    Biwa-no-Taki
  • 09
    JR Oboke station.

00

JR Oboke station.

Departure

It takes 5 minutes by car

01

Rest Area Oboke and Yokaiyashiki

Home to Konakijiji, inside the facility there is a Yokaiyashiki where they introduce local yokais. Over 70 local yokais are on display. You can also enjoy the Ihinohakubutsukan (Stone Museum) and shop for souvenirs.

Details here

It takes 2 minutes by car

02

Oboke Ravine Pleasure Boat

The ravine made of crystalline schist looks like a huge marble sculpture. From the boat, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the cherry blossoms in the spring, and the autumn leaves during the fall.

Duration: Both ways 30 minutes (4 kilometers)

Details here

It takes 10 minutes by car

03

Heike Yashiki Museum of Folklore

The museum exhibits materials and relics of Heike Clan. This has been a residence of the descendant of Horikawa Naiki, who was a private doctor to the young Emperor Antoku.
He has entered into this remote mountain with the remaining member of Heike Clan after they lost the battle and power, and he served as a doctor as well as an oracle in this Iya region, where medicinal herb were plentiful. In its garden stands the 800 years old tree and in the museum building, of which inside remained as then at Edo period, exhibited armor, flag, the ancient document, materials and etc. The lavatory facility for the disabled available.

Details here

It takes 15 minutes by car

04

Hinoji Valley

Emerald green-colored Iya River, the water clear enough to see the river bottom, flows through the valley which is shaped like the hiragana ???. In the fall, autumn leaves cover the entire surface, from the bottom of the valley to the mountain peaks.

Details here

It takes 5 minutes by car

05

Peeing Boy

A rock, remains from the Iya road construction, sticks out along the cliff of Iya River. Shobenkozo stands on the rock. It was made based on the anecdote that local children and tourists used to stand on the cliff to test their courage.

Details here

It takes 5 minutes by car

06

Kazurabashi Story House

Souvenir shops near Kazurabashi in Iya. They sell Kazura crafts and local products. In the Kazurabashi Story House, they explain how the Kazurabashi in Iya was made, its history as well as how it is rebuilt.

Details here

It takes 5 minutes on foot

07

Iya-no-Kazura Bashi

Made from Shirakuchikazura (Actinidia arguta) (weighing about 6 tons), length 45 meters?width 2 meters?14 meters above water. It is said that the bridge was made from Japanese arrowroot so that the warriors could easily cut it down to escape from pursuers. It is rebuilt every 3 years. (important intangible folk cultural properties)

Details here

It takes 5 minutes on foot

08

Biwa-no-Taki

Biwanotaki is near Kazurabashi in Iya. The legend holds that fleeting Heike warriors played their biwa (Japanese lute) by this waterfall feeling nostalgic for their old city, Kyoto and comforted each other. This is where the name Biwanotaki (falls) comes from.

Details here

It takes 20 minutes by car

Arrival

09

JR Oboke station.