Iya Valley Vine Bridge Travel Guide

The Single Vine Bridge: Tickets and Tips

The Single Vine Bridge, known as Iya no Kazurabashi, is the most accessible and most visited of the three kazura spans. It stretches 45 metres across the gorge and hangs 14 metres above the river. A paved road bridge sits directly behind it, giving a clear elevated view of the vine structure.

Tour groups frequently arrive at the single bridge in the mid-morning, creating queues that stretch back to the ticket booth. Letting a large group cross first and then stepping on gives you the bridge largely to yourself for photos.

A short walking path below the bridge leads to a picturesque waterfall and flat river boulders popular with photographers. The Kazurabashi Yumebutai rest area opposite the parking lot sells regional Tokushima snacks and hosts a small exhibit on vine bridge maintenance.

• Entrance fee and opening hours
  • Adults pay 550 yen to cross and children pay 400 yen.
  • The bridge is open daily from sunrise to sunset throughout the year.
  • Parking in the lot directly beside the bridge costs 300 yen per vehicle.
• Tips for a smoother visit
  • The crossing runs one way only, so take your photos from the near side before stepping on.
  • Arriving before 9am or after 3pm on weekdays avoids the heaviest tour-group traffic.
  • Keep all loose items such as hats, sunglasses, and phones secured in a bag before crossing.

The Double Vine Bridges and Nagoro Scarecrow Village

The Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges sit 30km deeper into the valley, roughly one hour by twisting mountain road from the single bridge. The Male bridge stretches 44 metres and stands 12 metres above the water, while the Female bridge spans 22 metres. One 550-yen ticket covers entry to both bridges plus the rope-pull Monkey Cart, making this noticeably better value than the single crossing.

Crowds here are much thinner than at the single bridge, and the area includes riverside picnic tables and clear upstream views. In autumn the gorge maple trees turn deep red above the turquoise river, making October one of the most scenic times to visit.

On the road toward the double bridges, the Nagoro Scarecrow Village sits just 3.4km before the bridge entrance and is free to enter. Over 300 life-sized scarecrows posed as bus passengers, farmers, and schoolchildren populate this tiny settlement of fewer than 30 living residents. Each figure was modelled on a former neighbor by local artist Tsukimi Ayano, making the village both playful and quietly poignant.

Allow 20 to 30 minutes to walk through the settlement before continuing to the double bridges. Parts of the road are narrow, allowing only one car through at a time, so drive slowly and be ready to reverse into a passing bay.

How to Get to the Iya Valley

Public transport into the Iya Valley is extremely limited, and a rental car is the most practical way to reach both bridge sites. Of Shikoku's main cities, Kochi offers the shortest drive at around 1 hour 20 minutes to the single bridge. Tokushima takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes, Takamatsu about 2 hours, and Matsuyama around 2 hours 15 minutes by car.

For those without a car, a local bus from Awa-Ikeda Station to the bridge area takes about 30 minutes. From the bus stop, the bridge is a 3km walk requiring 50 to 60 minutes, or a short taxi ride. The complete guide to getting to Iya Valley covers bus schedules, car hire tips, and driving advice for the narrow mountain roads.

Where to Stay and What Else to See

Miyoshi city is the closest overnight base, with ryokan and hotels within a 30-minute drive of both bridge sites. Kochi works well as a day-trip base and offers far more dining and accommodation variety. Some traditional thatched farmhouses in Ochiai Village, a National Heritage Area between the two bridge sites, also rent rooms.

The Iya Valley accommodation guide compares budget guesthouses, riverside onsen inns, and farmhouse stays across all price ranges. Booking several weeks ahead is strongly advised from late September through November, when autumn colour season draws its heaviest visitor numbers.

The oboke gorge, about 20km from the single bridge, takes roughly 30 minutes through dramatic marble canyon scenery. The Peeing Boy Statue, perched on a cliff edge 9km from the single bridge, makes a fun short detour on the way back toward Kochi.

For active travelers, a 1-day Yoshino River rafting course pairs well with a morning vine bridge visit. The Yoshino River runs close to the valley and offers some of the most exciting whitewater paddling in Shikoku.