Iya Valley is a steep, forested gorge in western Tokushima that was historically isolated enough to serve as a refuge for defeated Taira clan warriors, and it still feels remote today with narrow mountain roads and thatched-roof farmhouses clinging to the slopes. The Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, woven from mountain vines and rebuilt every few years, crosses the Iya River and is the valley's best-known attraction, but the wider draw is the drive itself through switchbacks and river views. This is a full-day trip built around distance and scenery rather than a single sight.
| Distance | 75 km from Tokushima Station |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1 hour 45 minutes by car; up to 2.5 hours by train and bus |
| Getting there | Rental car recommended; or JR Dosan Line to Oboke Station plus local bus |
| Address | 162-2 Zentoku, Nishiiyayama, Miyoshi, Tokushima 778-0202 |
How to get there
- Mode
- Rental car
- Duration
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cost
- ¥6,000–10,000/day (~$39.75–$66.25 USD)
- Frequency
- Self-drive, available anytime
- Mode
- JR Dosan Line + Yonkoh Bus
- Duration
- 2 hours 30 minutes total
- Cost
- ¥3,300 train (~$21.85 USD) + ¥700 bus (~$4.65 USD)
- Frequency
- Limited bus departures; check timetable before traveling
Location
162-2 Zentoku, Nishiiyayama, Miyoshi, Tokushima 778-0202
33.8371, 133.7952 View on map
Highlights
- Kazurabashi Vine Bridge - a working suspension bridge woven from mountain vines with gaps between the slats that let you see the river below
- Iya no Kazurabashi area - includes a small waterfall near the bridge parking area worth the short walk
- Iya Valley switchback roads - narrow mountain routes with viewpoints over the gorge, part of the experience of getting there
- Traditional thatched farmhouses - scattered on the valley slopes, visible from the road as you descend into Iya