What to know
In the past, suspension bridges woven from mountain vines, known as kazurabashi, were the primary way for locals to cross the rivers of the Iya Valley. Their origins remain unclear, but legend attributes them either to Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, or to Heike refugees who fled here after losing the Gempei War (1180–1185). The refugees supposedly built the bridges so they could quickly cut off access to the valley.
Thirteen such bridges once spanned the valley, but only three remain today. Iya Kazurabashi (祖谷かずら橋), the largest and most famous, stretches 45 meters across the Iya River at the valley's heart. Walking across its open slats offers an unsettling view of the water 14 meters below. The bridge is rebuilt every three years, anchored to tall cedar trees at both ends, and reinforced with hidden steel cables for safety. Crossing is one-way only, and from 19:00 to 21:30 the bridge is illuminated in the evenings.
Iya Kazurabashi is accessible by bus from Awa Ikeda Station (60 minutes, 1290 yen, every 2–3 hours) and Oboke Station (25–30 minutes, 670 yen, every 1–2 hours).
How to get to and around the Iya Valley
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:00 to 18:00 (April to June)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 550 yen (~$3.52)
- English name
- Original name
- Kazurabashi Bridge
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.