Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷菅生

Phone：0883-62-2772

The highest mountain in Tokushima Prefecture, and second highest in western Japan, Mt. Tsurugi rises to an impressive 1,955 meters above sea level. On a clear day, the mountain summit offers breathtaking views as far as the Kishu area, the Setouchi Inland Sea, and even Cape Ashizuri in Kochi. The panoramic views are truly impressive, and the sight of the morning mists gathering in the mountains is nothing short of magical. Many beautiful alpine plants grow here as well, such as Kirengeshoma palmata (yellow wax bells).The mountain's name, "Tsurugi", means sword in Japanese and originates from the legend of the Emperor Antoku, who is said to have buried his ruling sword in the depths of the mountain. Mt. Tsurugi is also believed sacred, and many come here on pilgrimages.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷菅生620

Phone：0883-76-0877

About 800 years ago, these vine bridges were built by the Heike clan as a means to access their riding grounds at Mt. Tsurugi, where they trained. The bridges also connect to the Oku Iya campgrounds. These two bridges have been named "male" and "female" respectively, hence are sometimes referred to as the "wedded bridges."The nature here is deep and immersive, and offers a different experience from the main Vine Bridge, so both spots are well worth the visit.※Oku Iya Double Vine Bridges is currently closed for the winter. Its next reopening will be on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 9:00 AM.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷落合

This community is located in the heart of the Higashi-Iya Valley; a beautiful hamlet built into the mountainside. The homes here were constructed during the middle of the Edo period (circa.1700), up until the Showa period (circa 1930). It is unknown when the first settlers arrived here, but there are many legends and folklore of the Heike clan and frontier settlers making their homes in Ochiai. Villagers live at an elevation of 390 meters on a steep hillside, and the village itself was formed by stacking stones to make walls. There is an impressive and ancient air to this mountain hamlet and a natural beauty you simply can't encounter anywhere else.Designated in 2005 as a national preserved heritage site.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷菅生191

Over 350 scarecrows are about in this deep mountain village. One woman handmade all of them and creatively placed them around the area: in the fields working, waiting at bus stops, dancing local dances, etc. You can walk around the village and enter the old school to see a glimpse of the past.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷京上14-3

Phone：0883-88-2286

There exhibited many items from which you can imagine the old way of life of the fallen Heike Clan and also of village people with sentiment. There are also many relics exhibited at the Municipal cultural tradition and preservation institution to tell us the legend of Heike clan in Iya. On its second floor, they have a hall capable to hold 500 people and lavatory facility for the disabled.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷大枝43

Phone：0883-88-2040

This is the largest home in the Iya area, built in 1763 by the samurai headman of Oeda, a descendant of the feudal lord Kita Rokurosaburo. The area of Oheda in Higashi-Iya is the place renown for the legend of the fleeting Heike Clan after losing the battle at Yashima. The residence of Kita Clan is that of the historical family who held high offices in Iya. The house, including “Irazu-no-ma”(room of no entry) for committing ritual suicide, tells the story of the ancient way of life of samurais in the mountain. An 800-year-old cedar “Hokosugi” still grows in the garden and is worth seeing it.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷釣井209

Phone：0883-88-5290

Chiiori is a 300 years old traditional-style house with thatched-roof in Oku-Iya. This remote region, where is at a high altitude with very deep mountain ravine, is often referred as “Tibet of Japan” from their similarity in the landscape. The house was purchased by Mr.Alex Kerr renown as a researcher of East Asian Art and Culture and was named “Chiiori” (House of the Flute ). The name of “Chiiori” was literally made up of “Chi”, an archaic un-used character they found in the dictionary for “Bamboo Flute” and “Iori”, meaning “Thatched Cottage”and its name came up as Alex plays flute. The house is run by The Chiiori Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable tourism, environmental awareness and promotion of the traditional Japanese way of life.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷阿佐244

A Heike Clan mansion where Tairano Kunimori, a Heike warrior, who had fled from the battle field settled. Its architecture is so unusual that it was designated as a tangible cultural property of Tokushima prefecture. (March 21, 2000) Its exterior and interior is open to public.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷釣井１０７

Phone：0883-72-3910

This is the oldest house known of its building date in Iya region and is a very significant one as it retains the appearance of mountain village house of that time. The main building of family house was once that of the village head of Imai community built in the 11th year of Genroku (1699), which was transferred here during Tenpo period 1830 - 1844. The house has the style of “Naka-Nema-Mimadori” and is regarded as rather large private house in this region. The roof of house was rethatched in 2007. (Designated as a National significant cultural heritage)

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷菅生２８

This private little house, built by the local methods which was popular and then further prospered in the Iya region, shows its characteristic of a little house. Such a house rarely remains today. It was built during Tenpo period (1830－1844) and consists of just one room, garden and front space. The outside plastered wall is covered and protected by split bamboos (called Hishagidake) and the way they placed lavatory room in the middle of front are very characteristic features. This house was originally standing in village of former Higashi-Iyayamamura Kurishido, but was transfered to Sugeoi village in Higashi-Iyayamason in August 1983 and restored to the former state. The photograph here is from that time. (Designated as a National significant cultural heritage) ※The tour is only for the exterior. I can't go inside.

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷大枝４５

The legend says when Taira Kunimori built a shrine in Oheda community, he placed his pike inside and planted the cedar, wishing for the peace. It is over 800 years old, 11 meters round and 35 meters high. The tree trunk and branches also resemble a pike and name of Hokosugi was derived from it. It is said to be the second largest cedar in Shikoku and is also called Kunimori-sugi. (Designated as a prefectural nature monument)

Address：徳島県三好市東祖谷菅生２８

The air in the forest feels cool, crisp and refreshing. It is believed this effect is due to the phytoncide given off by plants and trees. Please enjoy the slow monorail ride in the forest and that will give you the feeling as though you are trekking the mountain. You will appreciate the benefit of nature as people in Japan commonly engage in so-called forest bathing to breathe in phytoncides emitted to try to improve their health. The overall length of the monorail ride 4,600 meters, the difference in level 590 meters, the sharpest slope at 40 degree, the highest point at 1,389 meters, those figures at Okuiya monorails come first in the world record among tourist-orientated monorail service. *We adopt electrically powered monorails, which are environmentally friendly.