![[Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Founded 350 years ago! Introducing ways to enjoy Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's three most famous wooden bridges, depending on the season.](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2023/11/22-153608.webp)
![[Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Taste “SAKE” created by five sake breweries in Iwakuni, the village of famous water!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2024/01/16-162112.webp)
![[Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Let's go to Nishiki-cho, the source of "Iwakuni's famous water", by riding the unique local railway that runs along the clear stream!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2023/12/25-159748.webp)
![[Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture] A summer tradition that has continued for about 400 years! Let's go see cormorant fishing at Kintaikyo Bridge](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2024/02/22-168458.webp)
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2025/04/21 - 2025/04/28
With: 
A model course to enjoy Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture on foot! Introducing 9 recommended spots!
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Time to reward yourself for working hard every day. I'm currently feeling relaxed in a quiet place. How about taking a leisurely tour of historical sites in the natural surroundings of Iwakuni?
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Located in the eastern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is the second largest area in the prefecture. The north faces the Chugoku Mountains, and the south faces the Seto Inland Sea, allowing you to experience the beautiful nature of both the sea and mountains.
Required time
Approximately 6 hours 30 minutes
Transportation
On foot
A full-day plan to enjoy walking around the Kintaikyo Bridge area
Around the popular tourist destination Kintaikyo Bridge, you can tour historic buildings within walking distance. There is nature and delicious food. Enjoy a relaxing and relaxing day.
1
Kintai Bridge
A nationally designated scenic spot and a wooden bridge that represents Japan. The length of the bridge is 210 meters along the bridge surface, 193.3 meters in a straight line, the width is 5 meters, and the height of the abutment is 6.6 meters. The structure of the curved bridge, which was built using the ``timber construction technique'' using curling bridges and cassocks, is elaborate and original, and is said to be impeccable even from the perspective of modern bridge engineering. As the name ``Nishiki'' suggests, you can enjoy the colorful scenery of each season: cherry blossoms in spring, night views of cormorant fishing and fireworks in summer, autumn leaves in Shiroyama's natural forest in autumn, and snow covered in winter.
Your one-day stroll will start from Kintaikyo Bridge. To get to Kintaikyo Bridge, take a bus bound for Kintaikyo Bridge from Shin-Iwakuni Station on the Shinkansen or JR Iwakuni Station and it will take about 20 minutes. From Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, it takes about 30 minutes via JR Iwakuni Station, or about 20 minutes by car. You will be greeted by lush green mountains and five arches spanning the clear Nishiki River. Feel the pleasant river breeze and take a deep breath while crossing the bridge! It feels so good.
Before crossing the bridge, don't forget to look up at the back side of Kintai Bridge from the riverbank. The craftsmanship known as the "wooden construction technique" is amazing!
Please also check out the article below about Kintaikyo Bridge.
Click here for the Kintaikyo Bridge homepage
2
Kikko Park
It is a large park surrounded by seasonal flowers and greenery. It is a popular place for Iwakuni citizens to relax.
After crossing the Kintaikyo Bridge and walking for about 5 minutes, you will arrive at Kikko Park, a large park surrounded by seasonal flowers and greenery. It is a popular place for Iwakuni citizens to relax. How about taking a leisurely walk while admiring the rainbow over the large fountain in the center of the park?
Why not take a little detour along the way?
I would like to introduce some Iwakuni gourmet food that I found along the way. The first one is a croquette filled with Iwakuni lotus root, which is a national specialty. The crispy texture makes you feel like you can eat another one!
I would like to introduce some Iwakuni gourmet food that I found along the way. The first one is a croquette filled with Iwakuni lotus root, which is a national specialty. The crispy texture makes you feel like you can eat another one!
The other is "soft ice cream". Actually, there are many soft-serve ice cream shops around Kintaikyo Bridge. There are many different flavors, from common flavors to those made with slightly unusual ingredients, so you might be confused about which flavor to go for.
3
Iwakuni Castle Ropeway
It takes about 3 minutes to connect Sanroku Station in front of Kikko Park to Sancho Station on the ridge of Shiroyama, about 200 meters above sea level. From Yoshika Park, you can enjoy the view of the Nishiki River (Kintaikyo Bridge), Iwakuni Castle Town, Iwakuni Kintai Bridge Airport, and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea in the distance.
From Kikko Park, it takes about 3 minutes on foot to reach Iwakuni Castle Ropeway Sanroku Station. Let's take a ride on the ropeway!
Departure times are 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes every hour (special buses will be operated during busy times)
Departure times are 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes every hour (special buses will be operated during busy times)
You can see this kind of scenery from inside the ropeway. As the altitude rises, the Nishiki River, Kintaikyo Bridge, and castle town gradually become smaller, making it seem like a miniature world.
4
Iwakuni Castle
This mountain castle was built in 1608 by Hiroie Kikkawa, the first lord of the Iwakuni domain, and was located on a castle mountain 200 meters above sea level, with the Nishiki River flowing below as its natural moat. Inside the reconstructed castle tower, a precision model of Kintaikyo Bridge, photographs, weapons and armor are on display. The castle tower also serves as an observation deck, from Kikko Park, Iwakuni Castle Town, Kintaikyo Bridge to the entire Iwakuni city area, Iwakuni Air Base (Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport), the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and Miyajima, Shikoku. You can also see the view.
After getting off at Ropeway Sancho Station, you will arrive at Iwakuni Castle in about 10 minutes on foot. This mountain castle was built in 1608, but was demolished just seven years later, so the current castle tower was rebuilt based on the original plans.
Inside the castle tower, weapons, armor, swords, etc. are displayed.
Take a selfie with the view from the castle tower! Do you feel like a lord?
I took a photo like this! It's like looking at a miniature world.
Lunch featuring specialty Iwakuni sushi
You must have gotten hungry while walking. There are many restaurants around Kintaikyo Bridge where you can eat Iwakuni sushi, a strong dish. The seasoning varies slightly depending on the restaurant, so if you have the stomach, why not try some to compare?
Check here for restaurants where you can eat Iwakuni sushi
A short detour to Hakusan Hime Shrine
It is said that in 876, the spirit of Hakusan Shrine in Kaga Province (Ishikawa Prefecture) was transferred there and enshrined here. It is also said to be the god of matchmaking, so why not ask for it?
5
Kikko Shrine
A shrine that enshrines the ancestral spirits of the Kikkawa family, who ruled Iwakuni during the Edo period. It has been designated as a national important cultural property. The area is decorated with cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn leaves and ginkgo biloba in autumn.
After returning to Sanroku Station by ropeway, let's take a short detour to Kikko Shrine. The area is decorated with cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn leaves and ginkgo biloba in autumn.
A facility where you can see the auspicious natural monument “Iwakuni White Snake”
Iwakuni Shirohebi no Yakata is located about a 3-minute walk from Hakusan Hime Shrine. A pure white body with ruby-red eyes. I don't like snakes a bit. . . I'm sure you'll be captivated by its beauty. It has lived in Iwakuni since ancient times and has been cherished as a ``message of God.'' It is also said to bring you good luck with money. Let's ask round eyes to improve your financial luck.
Click here for the Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum homepage
6
Kikko Unosato
This is a facility that breeds cormorants that are used in Iwakuni's summer tradition, ``Kintaikyo Cormorant Fishing''. There is a breeding space where you can watch cormorant training through wire mesh, and an exhibition space that explains the history of cormorant fishing and fishing methods.
About a 1-minute walk from Shirohebi no Yakata, you will arrive at Yoshika Unosato.
It may be the first time for many people to see a cormorant, but when you see it up close, it's so cute.
7
Head family Matsugane
The building, which is a former merchant's house with traces of the late Edo period, has been turned into a tourist exchange center and has been designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property.
Matsugane also offers armor experience (advance reservation required, fee) and bicycle rentals (charges apply).
You can enjoy tastings of Iwakuni's specialty products (from 100 yen each). Please use this as a reference when choosing a souvenir. *Honke Matsugane does not sell specialty products.
You can also enjoy tasting local sake from five of Iwakuni's most representative breweries. (From 100 yen each). *Honke Matsugane does not sell local sake.
If you are interested in Iwakuni's local sake, please check out the article below.
Click here for the Honke Matsugane homepage
The old townscape of Iwakuni Shichimachi, which flourished as a castle town, still remains around the main house, Matsugane. It is also recommended that you take a leisurely walk while remembering the gorgeous appearance of the time.
8
Uno Chiyo Birthplace
Photos and works by Chiyo Uno, a female artist born in Iwakuni, are on display.
From Kintaikyo Bridge, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Uno Chiyo Birthplace. Please spend a relaxing time looking at the beautifully maintained Japanese garden. There are also souvenirs for sale, such as handkerchiefs with cherry blossom motifs that Chiyo Uno loved.
Click here for the homepage of Chiyo Uno's birthplace.
I returned to the area around Kintaikyo Bridge from Chiyo Uno's birthplace. If you're tired of walking, why not take a short break and go shopping?
Take a break and shop for local products at Cafe Itsutsubashi
Have a cafe time with Kintaikyo Bridge in front of you at ``Cafe Tsutsubashi'' on the 2nd floor of Kintaikyo Bus Terminal. The shop also stocks Iwakuni specialty products and local sake. Please enjoy selecting souvenirs based on the flavors you tasted at Honke Matsugane earlier.
Click here for the Cafe Itsutsubashi homepage
9
Iwakuni International Tourist Hotel
This is the only hot spring inn near Kintaikyo Bridge, located about 3 minutes walk from Kintaikyo Bridge. The view of Kintai Bridge from the open-air bath is spectacular!
It takes about 3 minutes on foot from Cafe Tsutsubashi to reach today's accommodation. On this trip, we stayed at the only hot spring inn near Kintaikyo Bridge. Enjoy a luxurious night to end your day in Iwakuni.
You can also see Kintaikyo Bridge from the open-air bath.
The hot water was nice. Please take your time and relax.
For dinner, please enjoy Iwakuni's local cuisine (food photos are for illustrative purposes only)
Click here for the Iwakuni International Kanko Hotel homepage
Kintaikyo Bridge illuminated at night
Kintaikyo Bridge is lit up at night, giving it a magical appearance that is different from the daytime. (Periods are late March to late May, early August to mid-January. *Subject to change depending on the year.) It is just a short distance from Kintaikyo Kokusai Kanko Hotel.
summary
This time we introduced a model course where you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Bridge area. The next day after relaxing at a hot spring inn, you can go to Miyajima, a world heritage site, or Hiroshima City, or head to Yamaguchi City, which has been featured in the New York Times and is currently a hot topic.Enjoy a fun trip from Iwakuni.
Please also check out this article about Iwakuni City.
See more tourist information in Iwakuni City
Spots introduced in this itinerary
Located in the eastern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is the second largest area in the prefecture. The north faces the Chugoku Mountains, and the south faces the Seto Inland Sea, allowing you to experience the beautiful nature of both the sea and mountains.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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