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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges
Travel into the eastern part of the Iya Valley, where you can walk across two unusual vine bridges.
Nishi-Awa Tourism Association Sora-no-sato
Take a journey along the winding roads of the eastern Iya Valley in Tokushima to discover the Oku-Iya area, where you can uncover many hidden charms.
One such spot is the Kazurabashi double vine bridges. These unusual woven bridges are connected to the history of the Heike family, who battled the Minamoto family for control of Japan from 1180–1185. After being defeated in 1185, the Heike fled to the Iya Valley, where they constructed kazurabashi with thick vines that could be severed in the case of enemy pursuit.
The bridges are affectionately referred to as the “male bridge” and the “female bridge”, and together as the “husband and wife bridges”.
This area is a popular spot for viewing colorful leaves in autumn. Framed by red and gold foliage and the clear blue river, the bridges make for a scenic view.
The leaves in the Oku-Iya area change color earlier than the rest of the valley, usually around the end of October to early November, depending on the weather.
How to get there
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station (around 1 hour and 10 minutes), then take the JR Limited Express to Oboke Station (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). From Oboke Station, take the Shikoku Kotsu Bus (Iya Line) to Higashi-Iya Gakko-mae (about 1 hour). Change to the Miyoshi City Bus (Nagoro Line) in front of the school, ride for around 45 minutes, and get off at the Niju Kazurabashi bus stop.
620 Sugeoi, Higashi-Iya, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima-ken
