TOURIST SPOT・EXPERIENCE
Address:徳島県三好市西祖谷山村善徳162-2
Phone:0883-76-0877
The Kazurabashi Vine Bridge stretches over a canyon in a secluded mountain village in Iya Valley. The bridge itself is tied to the legend of the Heike clan, once the most powerful ruling clan, who fled into these mountains from their enemies. This bridge was once the only way to cross over the deep canyons in this area, and was built with vines that are easy to cut in case of enemy pursuit. Nowadays, the bridge remains an important National and Prefectural significant folk cultural asset, and visitors come from all around Japan to test their courage and cross. The vines are safe and sturdy, and replaced once every three years.The Kazurabashi bridge is made of kiwi vines (Actinidia arguta) and is 45 meters long, 2 meters wide. It weighs approx. 6 tons and is suspended 14 meters above the river.* Light-up Every night from 19:00 till 21:30, the bridge is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere.* Biwa-no-Taki (Biwa Waterfall) This nearby waterfall was a place of refuge for the ancient people, who would come here to comfort each other by playing their Biwa Flutes, and remembering the home in Kyoto they were driven from. The water falls from 50 meters and is a majestic sight.
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:徳島県三好市池田町州津蔵谷1006
Phone:0883-72-0812
This mountain temple was built by Kobo Daishi in the 5th year of Tencho Era (828), and it is of the “Shingon-Shu” denomination of Buddhism. It is believed that Kobo Daishi received a revelation from Konpira Daigongen while training at this site, and then built the seven halls of the temple compound. Hashikura Temple has over a thousand years of history, and can be reached by boarding a ropeway at the bottom of the mountain.This site is popular for the beautiful maple fall colours in autumn and the cherry blossom trees in spring.
Address:徳島県三好市山城町上名1553-1
Phone:0883-84-1489
This roadside station in the beautiful Oboke Gorge was opened in August 2008, and authorized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The building serves as a tourist information center and center to buy souvenirs or enjoy lunch at a cafe with terrace seating. This area has many legends about hobgoblins, so you can also visit the Hobgoblin Museum to see many spooky and fascinating statues and learn more about the legends. For a bit of manga trivia, it is also believed this area is the home town of “Konaki-Jijii”, who appeared in the comic book “Ge-Ge-Ge-no-Kitaro”.On the second floor, there is a Rocks and Gemstones Museum, which exhibits rocks and minerals from the Iya area, and also from around the world. You may request a volunteer guide for the trails or experience accessory craft-making (reservations necessary for groups). For more information, please ask at the Tourist Information Center.
Address:徳島県三好市西祖谷山村東西岡46
Phone:0883-84-1408
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.
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:徳島県三好市池田町白地ノロウチ763
Phone:0883-74-0066
Unpenji is the 66th temple of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage, believed to be founded by Kobo Daishi. In 8th year of the Enreki Era (789) when he was 16 years old, he climbed up this mountain and built the hall. Later, by the order of Emperor Saga, another Zen priest stayed here and carved the statue Kannon-Bosatsu (one who achieved enlightenment) with a thousand hands. It was then enshrined at this temple.There are about 500 Arhat statues here (statues of Buddha’s disciples), and there’s a tale that everyone can find a look-alike statue. This area is also popular for its fall colours in autumn. This mountain lies between Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime prefectures and is the highest of the 88 temples, at 1,000 meters above sea level.
Address:徳島県三好市池田町マチ2465-1
Phone:0883-72-3450
Ikeda town, geographically being located at the middle of Shikoku, has always been important crossroad for any transportation to North, South, West and East. The Awa-Ikeda tobacco production industry flourished in the mid-to-late 19th century. The town prospered as the collection point for various goods like tobacco due to its central position. The row of old houses still remained along this old street, giving somehow deserted and solitary feel about them. It is a atmospheric old town, in which you may want to be lost in thoughts. The old residence of tobacco manufacturer who prospered from the end of Edo period to Meiji is now converted into tobacco museum and even after over 100 years passed, it still reminds us of its prosperity of the past. In the courtyard, you will enjoy beautiful flowers of each four seasons.