{"id":75331,"date":"2021-01-29T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=75331"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:18:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:18:43","slug":"iya-valley-nature-shikoku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/iya-valley-nature-shikoku\/","title":{"rendered":"Shikoku\u2019s Iya Valley: Where History, Natural Beauty, and Mystery Collide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s something so alluring and almost enigmatic about Iya Valley, tucked up in the northern mountains of Tokushima Prefecture. Whether it\u2019s the misty mornings, the mysterious vine bridges, the low hanging clouds that hover around the area\u2019s mountains, or the almost gravity-defying cliff faces that drop down into the roaring clear water rivers. One thing is for sure, Iya Valley<\/a> is a place of untamed natural beauty of almost magical proportions<\/strong>. I\u2019d visited the area just once almost two years ago, but coming back, I realized I hadn\u2019t even seen a tenth of what it had to offer. That\u2019s the magic of Iya Valley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okuiya Sightseeing Tour Monorail: Riding Deep into the Forest of Iya Valley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first port of call for my visit to Iya Valley this time was Okuiya, deep in the valley, an area practically overrun by lush foliage and home to a quaint and unique sightseeing opportunity, the Okuiya Sightseeing Tour Monorail<\/strong>. Running at 4.6 kilometers through the lush, densely tree-populated forest of Okuiya, this monorail, populated by multi-coloured two-person rhino beetle shaped carriages, is the longest monorail of its kind in the world. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Take a relaxing forest ride on the Okuiya Sightseeing Tour Monorail, the longest of its kind in the world!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Clocking in at roughly one-hour-long round trip journey, the monorail offers plenty of time to take in the valley\u2019s incredible scenery while also allowing ample opportunity to spot local wildlife. The most common wild residents in this area are deer and the occasional tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs). <\/p>\n\n\n

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There’s plenty of beautiful landscape views to see while on the Okuiya Sightseeing Tour Monorail.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The monorail reaches its highest peak of 1,380 meters and climbs some slopes 40 degrees steep. At times, the steep inclines and declines got me wanting more of a high-speed roller coaster experience. However, this novel attraction is a fun, laidback way to explore the beauty of the area at a pace and depth you probably won\u2019t be able to find anywhere else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vine Suspension Bridges: Cross If You Dare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An icon of Iya Valley, and a necessity, the kazurabashi <\/em>suspension bridges made of vine<\/strong>, are mysterious creations. So mysterious that the true origin of their creation is disputed. Some say they were once raised by Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism, while others believe Heike refugees crafted them while in hiding following the Gempei War (1180-1185). Either way, I can promise you that they\u2019re impressive pieces of engineering, and crossing them does induce a certain adrenaline rush, with the gaps between their planks wide enough for your leg to fall through were you to make a misstep. And below the bridges? A bed of sharp rocks and roaring rapids. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The kazurabashi<\/em> vine suspension bridges are an icon of Iya Valley, and a must-visit during your trip. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The bridges were used for daily life and were made from vines that grow plentiful around the area. Today, however, they also feature some reinforcement in the form of wire cables<\/strong>. There were 13 su<\/span>spension bridges made of mountain vines dotted throughout the area, but on this visit, the ones on my \u2018must-see\u2019 list were Okuiya Niju Kazura Bashi,<\/strong> or in English, the \u201ccouples bridges.\u201d As the name suggests, there are two bridges, the Husband Bridge (Otto no Hashi), the larger of the two, which stretches an impressive 44 meters long, and the Wife Bridge (Tsuma no Hashi) runs at half the size, also nearby at 22 meters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try not to look down while you’re on the vine suspension bridges! There’s a bed of sharp rocks and roaring rapids below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Though both are impressive, it\u2019s fair to say that a third, slightly newer and more novel bridge, the Wild Monkey Bridge<\/strong>, stole the limelight during my visit. More a suspended wooden cart than a bridge, this contraption<\/strong> \u2014big enough for a human passenger \u2014 was once used to transport goods and people across the water, using a network of passenger-powered pulleys. Trust me; it\u2019s not for the faint of heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oboke and Koboke Gorge: An Embodiment of Iya\u2019s Beauty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From one aquatic attraction to another, Oboke and Koboke Gorge<\/strong><\/a> were next on the itinerary and is the epitome of what makes this corner of Japan so spectacular. With its seasonally transforming foliage-covered, rugged cliff faces and roaring blue and white water rivers, Oboke and Koboke is the type of place that simultaneously enthrals you with its beauty and also overwhelms you with its size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The canyons of Oboke and Koboke offer breathtaking views of blue waters and fantastic seasonal colors throughout the year. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Historians believe this wild corner of Tokushima was created when water from the Yoshino river tore its way across Shikoku\u2019s mountains some 200 million years ago. Although it\u2019s unquestionably beautiful throughout the year, it\u2019s especially eye-catching in autumn when the leaves turn the hills into fiery shades of red and gold, and in spring when soft pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The autumn leaves are particularly eye-catching in Tokushima’s mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Home to thrill-seeking opportunities like water rafting to more peaceful options like hopping aboard a pleasure-boat sightseeing cruise, there are a variety of ways to enjoy the beauty of the Oboke and Koboke area. Trust me. If you want to see Iya Valley, you don\u2019t want to miss it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kakashi no Sato: The Village of Dolls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a name that sounds like something out of a horror movie, Kakashi no Sato (or in English, the \u2018village of scarecrows\u2019) may not sound like a pleasant local attraction, but it is. Also known as Nagoro Village, it\u2019s a quaint rural town that has become a popular tourist destination<\/strong> thanks to its innovative locals and unique attractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You’ll see many of the doll residents hard at work in the fields at Nagoro Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, it\u2019s a town populated by stuffed human dolls,<\/strong> which line the streets, frozen in social scenes, and out toiling in the fields, always ready to welcome passers-through. The town\u2019s doll-to-human population ratio is now more than 10:1, with 27 living residents and 300 dolls. Most of the dolls are still made by locals and some guests, and they\u2019re clothed by donations sent from across the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s approximately 300 dolls in Nagoro Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Originally, longtime resident Ayano Tsukimi started making the dolls as a response to the area\u2019s depopulation. It\u2019s a common issue in many pockets of Japan due to the ageing population and the common relation to major cities undertaken by younger generations. But somehow, what could have been a tragedy, has brought new attention to the area, showcasing the beauty of life in rural Tokushima. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the friendly residents of Iya Valley and Oboke Gorge.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Togenkyo-Iya: A Tranquil Retreat in a Traditional Japanese House<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My accommodation for the night couldn\u2019t have been more picturesque and perfect. Nestled deep in the hills of the Iya region is Togenkyo-Iya, a cluster of quaint thatched roof houses<\/strong>, renovated and reinvented in a way that both suits the modern-day and pays homage to the nation\u2019s domestic history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Togenkyo-Iya provides a fantastic opportunity to spend the night in a traditional, thatched-roof Japanese house. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most significant houses in the collection, the Chiiori<\/em> building, was produced in collaboration with American writer and Japanologist and long-term Japan resident Alex Kerr<\/strong>. This 300-year-old home has been tastefully and carefully renovated to combine the home\u2019s traditional ambiance, like the fully functioning irori stove, thatched roofing, and iconic exterior, with the comfort of modern-day independent living. With views of the rolling hillsides and low hanging clouds that come to visit in the morning, it\u2019s almost like living in a storybook. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Iya Valley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By train, Iya Valley is accessible via Awa-Ikeda and Oboke Stations along the train line between Okayama and Kochi. Awa-Ikeda is serviced by JR limited express trains to Takamatsu and Tokushima. By bus, there are several bus companies that run multiple direct highway buses per day between Osaka (Shin Osaka and Hankyu Umeda stations) and Awa-Ikeda Bus Terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okuiya Sightseeing Tour Monorail<\/strong> \u5965\u7956\u8c37\u89b3\u5149\u5468\u904a\u30e2\u30ce\u30ec\u30fc\u30eb
Sugeoi 28, Higashi-Iya, Miyoshi City
<\/span>Opening hours:<\/strong> 8:30 am \u2013 5:00 pm (April to September, Last ride 4:00 pm), 8:30 am \u2013 4:30 pm (October to November, Last ride 3:30 pm)
Website: https:\/\/miyoshi-tourism.jp\/en\/spot\/okuiyakankoshuyumonorail\/<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Ok<\/strong>uiya Niju Kazura Bashi<\/strong> \u5965\u7956\u8c37\u4e8c\u91cd\u304b\u305a\u3089\u6a4b<\/em>
Sugeoi 620, Higashi-Iya, Miyoshi City
Opening hours: <\/strong>April – June 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, July – September 7:30 am – 6:00 pm, October – November 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Website: https:\/\/miyoshi-tourism.jp\/en\/spot\/okuiyanijukazurabashi\/<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Oboke & Koboke gorges <\/strong>\u5927\u6b69\u5371\u5c0f\u6b69\u5371
<\/strong>Kamimyo\uff5eShigezane, Yamashiro Cho, Miyoshi City
<\/strong>Website: https:\/\/miyoshi-tourism.jp\/en\/spot\/oobokekyo-kobokekyo\/<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Tenku no Mura Kakashi no Sato<\/strong> \u5929\u7a7a\u306e\u6751<\/em>\u30fb\u304b\u304b\u3057\u306e\u91cc<\/em>
<\/strong>192 Sugeoi, Higashi Iya, Miyoshi City
Website: https:\/\/miyoshi-tourism.jp\/en\/spot\/kakashinosato\/<\/a><\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Togenkyo-Iya<\/strong> \u6843\u6e90\u90f7\u7956\u8c37<\/em>\u306e\u5c71\u91cc
Official Togenkyo Iya Website<\/a>
<\/strong>142 Higashiiya, Ochiai, Miyoshi, Tokushima
Website: http:\/\/www.tougenkyo-iya.jp\/index_en.html<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n