Iya Valley Travel Guide

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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Shikoku - Tokushima

Iya

146

of 161 destinations
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The Iya Valley 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.

Due to its remoteness, the valley has served as a refuge for members of the Taira Clan (also known as Heike) who escaped to the region after losing the Gempei War (1180-1185) at the end of the Heian Period. Their descendants can still be found hundreds of years later around the Iya Valley and in other remote regions of Japan such as Shirakawago, Yunishigawa, and the Noto Peninsula.

Attractions

1 Iya Valley

Remote valley in the center of Shikoku.
User rating: 80/100 (17 votes)
Visited by: 25 users

1 Iya Kazurabashi

Nice vine bridge stretching across the river.
User rating: 80/100 (13 votes)
Visited by: 19 users

3 Oku-Iya Kazurabashi

A pair of vine bridges deep back in the valley.
User rating: insufficient data
Visited by: 8 users

4 Oboke Gorge

Nice gorge at the entrance to the Iya Valley.
User rating: 80/100 (15 votes)
Visited by: 23 users

5 Mount Tsurugi

Second tallest mountains on Shikoku.
User rating: insufficient data
Visited by: 7 users

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Access and Orientation

Access and Orientation
How to get to and around the Iya Valley.

About transportation in Japan

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User Ratings

Ratings for Iya Valley:

japan-guide.com Rating:		outstanding
User Rating (by 25 users):	82/100	recommended

Best rated destinations (out of 149):

51. Shosenkyo Gorge 84/100

52. Noboribetsu 84/100

53. Kirishima 83/100

54. Hakodate 83/100

55. Bitchu-Takahashi 83/100

56. Iya Valley 82/100

57. Amanohashidate 82/100

58. Uji 82/100

59. Kusatsu Onsen 82/100

60. Oze National Park 82/100

Most visited destinations (out of 161):

141. Minamata 47

142. Bitchu-Takahashi 44

143. Arita 44

144. Bessho Onsen 41

145. Iwaki 41

146. Iya Valley 36

147. Kitakami 35

148. Kume Island 31

149. Norikura 25

150. Obuse 24

User Feedback

English Links

Miyoshi City
Official English website of the city where the Iya Valley is located in.

Japanese Links

Miyoshi City
Official website of the city where the Iya Valley is located in.

Related Pages

Travel
Sightseeing Guide
Shikoku
Tokushima Prefecture

Iya Valley
Iya Kazurabashi
Oku-Iya Kazurabashi
Mount Tsurugi
Oboke Gorge

Iya: Access and Orientation

Related Questions

Hostel/Hotel near Oboke/Awaikeda Station
2 reactions, last updated 159 days ago
Iya Valley in early december
6 reactions, last updated 281 days ago

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