Iya No Shoben Kozo (Peeing Boy Statue) Visitor Guide
Iya No Shoben Kozo, often searched as the Peeing Boy Statue of Iya Valley, is a small bronze figure on the cliff road above the Iya River in Miyoshi, Tokushima. In 2026 it remains a quick but memorable roadside viewpoint: the stop itself is short, while the mountain drive and nearby valley sights require planning.
Use this attraction page to decide whether the statue fits your Iya route, how to reach it safely by car or bus, and what to combine with it. The statue is best treated as part of a central Iya Valley loop with Iya Kazurabashi, Oboke Gorge, and an onsen stop, not as a standalone half-day destination.
The advice below keeps the practical details separate from the legend so you can plan around roads, daylight, limited transit, and seasonal weather before you go.
Introduction to the Iya No Shoben Kozo (Peeing Boy Statue)
The Iya No Shoben Kozo is more than a novelty photo stop. It marks one of the most dramatic accessible viewpoints in Iya Gorge, where the road clings to the mountainside and the river sits far below.
The figure is small, but its setting gives it scale. Visitors usually see the statue from the roadside, take a fast photo, and continue toward the vine bridge, Oboke, or a hot spring.
Its appeal comes from the mix of local folklore and rugged scenery. The statue is quirky, but the cliff, road, and valley are the real reason to stop carefully and look around.
You can learn more about the wider area in our Iya Valley guide, which helps connect this stop with the valley's other major sights.
The Legend and History of the Peeing Boy
The legend behind the Peeing Boy Statue centers on courage rather than comedy. Local stories say children and travelers once proved their nerve by urinating from the high cliff edge into the ravine below.
The statue was erected in 1968 to honor that old bravado. It is now a modern marker for a dangerous-looking viewpoint, not a place to recreate the custom.
That context matters for visitors: the statue is a symbol of the valley's steep terrain and isolated history. Treat it as folklore and scenery, and keep well back from the edge.
Where is the Peeing Boy Statue Located?
The Iya No Shoben Kozo stands along the gorge road in Miyoshi City, between Ikeda-cho Matsuo and Nishi-Iyayama, above the Hi-no-Ji Valley bend of the Iya River. The official Miyoshi Tourism page describes this area as one of the highest accessible points in Iya Valley.
The statue sits on a rock jutting from a cliff roughly 200 meters above the river. The bronze figure itself is only about 1 meter tall, but the drop, the curving road, and the V-shaped valley make the scene feel much larger.
The viewing space is a small roadside pull-off rather than a developed plaza. Watch for traffic before stepping out, keep children close, and avoid standing in the lane while taking photos.
How to Get to the Iya Valley and the Statue
For 2026 planning, assume the road network is the main constraint. A rental car gives the most control, but the approach roads through Iya Gorge are narrow, curving, and slow.
- By car: The official Miyoshi route is Ikawa-Ikeda IC, National Route 32 toward Kochi, then Prefectural Road 32 to the statue. Miyoshi lists the drive at about 50 minutes by car.
- By public transport: From JR Oboke Station, use the Shikoku Kotsu bus bound for Kazura Bashi and continue to the Iya-Onsen stop area. Miyoshi lists about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop to the statue.
- Parking: Expect only a small roadside pull-off. If the pull-off is full, continue to a safe legal place to turn around rather than stopping in the lane.
Check the current bus timetable, road status, and weather on the day you travel. Services are limited, mobile reception can be patchy, and winter snow or heavy rain can make the older gorge road slower than map apps suggest.
If you are uncomfortable with one-lane mountain roads, base yourself near Oboke or the Kazurabashi area and consider a taxi or guided local transport for the narrowest section.
Essential Tips for Visiting the Peeing Boy Statue
Most visitors need five to ten minutes at the viewpoint, although the photo itself may take only a minute or two. Build in extra time for passing cars, finding a safe place to stop, and waiting for other visitors to finish taking photos.
- Best light: Daylight matters more than a specific hour. Clear mornings and early afternoons make the road easier to read and the gorge easier to photograph.
- Facilities: There are no restrooms, shops, or covered waiting areas at the statue. Use facilities before leaving Oboke, Kazurabashi, or your accommodation.
- Footing: Wear shoes that can handle rough roadside surfaces. You do not need hiking gear, but sandals are a poor match for wet pavement and gravel.
- Safety: Do not cross barriers, climb onto the rock, or pose in the roadway. The viewpoint is memorable because it is exposed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid at the Peeing Boy Statue
The most common planning mistake is treating the statue as a major destination by itself. It is better used as a short scenic stop between other Iya Valley attractions.
- Arriving after dark: The statue is open-air, but night driving reduces the value of the view and makes the narrow road more stressful.
- Trusting the fastest route blindly: Navigation apps may choose smaller roads. Stay on the main signed approach unless you know the area well.
- Skipping transit checks: Public buses are useful but infrequent. Confirm both outbound and return times before committing to a bus-based visit.
- Leaving fuel and food too late: Shops and gas stations are sparse inside the valley, especially outside the main tourist nodes.
What Else to See Near the Peeing Boy Statue
The Iya Valley is rich with natural and cultural attractions beyond the Peeing Boy Statue. The easiest pairing is the Iya Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, because most central Iya routes pass both sights.
Another popular add-on is Oboke Gorge, where the sightseeing cruise is typically around 30 minutes and gives you a river-level contrast to the cliff viewpoint.
For a more remote day, continue toward the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges. These bridges are farther from the main valley and need more driving time, but they feel quieter and more rustic than the main Kazurabashi bridge.
If you have only a few hours, choose either the central Iya bridge-and-statue loop or the Oboke Gorge side. Trying to include Oku-Iya, Nagoro, and Mount Tsurugi on the same short day usually turns the trip into a road marathon.
Exploring the Wider Iya Valley: Beyond the Statue
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the Peeing Boy Statue, the Iya Valley opens into a slower rural landscape of hamlets, vine bridges, mountain roads, and hot springs. The Nagoro Scarecrow Village, also known as Kakashi no Sato, is a distinctive cultural stop deeper in the valley.
Outdoor travelers often look toward Mount Tsurugi, listed at 1,954.7 meters and known as the second-highest mountain on Shikoku. It belongs on a separate hiking-focused day rather than a quick statue detour.
Ochiai Village gives a different view of Iya life, with traditional houses spread across a steep mountainside. It pairs better with an overnight stay than with a tight day trip from Tokushima or Takamatsu.
For a convenient nearby base, Hotel Iya Onsen sits close to the gorge and is known for its open-air bath reached by cable car. Staying in or near Iya makes the statue easier to visit in good daylight without rushing the mountain roads.
Planning Your Iya Valley Itinerary: Day Trips and Longer Stays
The Iya Valley can be visited in a day, but the best itinerary depends on whether you are driving, using buses, or staying overnight.
- Central Iya half-day by car: Start from Oboke or Awa-Ikeda, stop at the Peeing Boy Statue, continue to Iya Kazurabashi, then finish with a meal or onsen stop. This is the simplest plan if daylight is limited.
- Full central Iya day: Pair the statue and Kazurabashi with Oboke Gorge. This gives you both the high cliff view and the river-level gorge experience without pushing too far into Oku-Iya.
- Two-day Iya trip: Use day one for Oboke, the statue, and Kazurabashi. Save Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges, Nagoro Scarecrow Village, or Mount Tsurugi for day two.
Accommodation options range from traditional ryokans to guesthouses. Book ahead for autumn foliage, weekends, and holiday periods, when both rooms and the small roadside stops fill faster.
Keep offline maps available, but do not rely on them as your only decision tool. In Iya, a route that looks short on a map can involve slow curves, blind corners, and few places to pull over.
Best Time to Visit the Iya Valley and the Statue
For the statue itself, the best time is a clear daylight window when the road is dry and the valley is visible. For the wider trip, each season changes the experience.
Spring from April to May brings fresh greenery and comfortable sightseeing weather. Summer from June to August works well for river activities around Oboke, but rain, humidity, and holiday traffic can complicate mountain driving.
Autumn from October to November is the strongest scenery season, with foliage across the gorge and high demand around the vine bridge. Start earlier in the day if you are driving during peak color.
Winter from December to March is quieter, but snow, ice, and closures can affect mountain roads. Check official road and weather information before setting out, and avoid treating winter drive times as fixed.
If your schedule is flexible, choose a dry weekday morning or early afternoon. You will have a better chance of a clear view, easier parking, and less pressure from traffic behind you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the statue of a boy urinating?
The famous Statue of a Peeing Boy, known as Iya No Shoben Kozo, is in the Iya Valley of Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture. It stands beside the gorge road above the Iya River.
Where is the Peeing Boy statue?
The Peeing Boy statue is on the mountain road through Nishi-Iya, above the Hi-no-Ji Valley bend of the Iya River. It is near the Hotel Iya Onsen area and a short drive from Iya Kazurabashi.
Why are there statues of boys peeing?
The Iya No Shoben Kozo statue commemorates a local legend in which children and travelers showed courage by urinating from the high cliff. The statue turns that risky bravado into a symbolic roadside landmark.
How long do people spend at the Peeing Boy Statue?
Most visitors spend only a few minutes at the statue, usually long enough for photos and a look into the gorge. Plan five to ten minutes so you can stop safely and avoid rushing around traffic.
Is the Iya Valley hard to drive through?
Driving in the Iya Valley can be challenging because many roads are narrow, winding, and bordered by steep slopes. Confident mountain-road drivers usually manage it, but night, snow, and heavy rain raise the difficulty.
What are some other famous statues of little boys peeing?
The best-known example is Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium. Iya No Shoben Kozo is different because it is tied to a mountain-valley legend and a cliffside viewpoint rather than a city fountain.
For a 2026 Iya Valley trip, the Iya No Shoben Kozo (Peeing Boy Statue) is best understood as a short scenic stop with a memorable story. The statue is small, but the gorge setting is one of the valley's signature views.
Plan around daylight, road conditions, and limited transit rather than the statue's visit duration. Combine it with Iya Kazurabashi, Oboke Gorge, or a nearby onsen to make the drive worthwhile.
With realistic timing and careful driving, the Peeing Boy Statue becomes a simple, distinctive pause in one of Shikoku's most dramatic mountain landscapes.
For the latest official information, see the Iya no Shoben Kozo (Peeing Boy Statue) official site.
Planning the rest of your trip? See our things to do in Iya Valley and Tokushima region guide.
