Iya and Oboke lie in the mountains of Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, along the Yoshino and Iya rivers. The area has gorge cruises, the Iya Kazurabashi vine bridge and valley viewpoints. Continue east to reach Ochiai Village and the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges.
For a first visit, approach Iya Kazurabashi from Oboke via Prefectural Route 45. This approach differs in width from the road along the valley from Iyaguchi. Choose your route according to the places you want to see and how comfortable you are driving on narrow roads.
Map of the Iya and Oboke area
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Koboke Observatory
- 2Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat
- 3Heike Yashiki Folk Museum
- 4Iya Kazurabashi (Yumebutai parking)
- 5Biwa Waterfall
- 6Hinoji Valley viewpoint
- 7Iya Valley Peeing Boy Statue
- 8Ochiai Village viewpoint
- 9Nagoro Scarecrow Village
- 10Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges
- 11Oboke
- 12Nishiiya
- 13Mino
1 → 2 → 11 → 3 → 12 → 4. Walk to 5 after parking. Stops 6–10 and 13 are outside the route line.
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The line follows the route under “A first day from Koboke through Oboke to Iya Kazurabashi” below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenic and cultural stops, blue for roadside stations. Tap a number to see its name. Mino roadside station is an optional stop on the approach, outside the Iya and Oboke area.
Recommended drives
A first day from Koboke through Oboke to Iya Kazurabashi
Start at Koboke Observatory and follow National Route 32 south to the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat and Oboke roadside station. From Oboke, take Prefectural Route 45 past the Heike Yashiki Folk Museum and Nishiiya roadside station to the Kazurabashi Yumebutai car park. Leave the car there to explore the vine bridge and Biwa Waterfall on foot.
The route from Koboke Observatory to Yumebutai is about 19.9km, with about 22 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude congestion. Allow extra time for roadworks, the boat trip, walks and your return journey.
The boat trip takes about 30 minutes return, with the last departure at 16:30. From September to March, the entrance to Iya Kazurabashi closes at 17:00. Taking the boat first and visiting the bridge in the afternoon lets you plan around both closing times.
Choose between the Iya gorge and Oku-Iya
Large buses cannot use the section of Prefectural Route 32 towards Hinoji Valley and the Peeing Boy Statue. The approach from Oboke to Iya Kazurabashi, using Prefectural Routes 45 and 32, has one lane in each direction. Check whether your route goes via Iyaguchi or Oboke, rather than relying on the road number alone.
For Ochiai Village, Nagoro Scarecrow Village and the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges, continue east on National Route 439. The double bridges are about 1 hour 40 minutes by car from Ikawa-Ikeda IC. Some sections close at set times for roadworks. A separate day focused on Oku-Iya is easier to plan than adding it to the main vine bridge and boat trip.
The two vine bridge sites have different seasons
Iya Kazurabashi opens year-round, although heavy-rain warnings and similar conditions can cause temporary closure. The Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges close from December to March. The nearby Yaen river-crossing cart is unavailable as of 27 October 2026.
Roads you can drive
| Road | What it connects | Length and tolls | Hours and restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Route 32 | The Ikawa-Ikeda area and Oboke, along the Yoshino River | — | Some sections have alternating one-way traffic during roadworks |
| Prefectural Route 45, Nishi-Iyayama–Yamashiro Line | The approach from Oboke into Iya | — | Together with Prefectural Route 32, the approach from Oboke to Iya Kazurabashi has one lane in each direction |
| Prefectural Route 32, Yamashiro–Higashi-Iyayama Line | Iyaguchi, the Peeing Boy Statue and Hinoji Valley | — | Large buses cannot use the Iyaguchi approach. Timed closures near Hinoji Valley and elsewhere |
| National Route 439 | Ochiai Village, Nagoro and the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges | — | Timed closures in Ochiai, Kubo, Sugeoi and other sections |
| National Route 192 | The approach through Ikeda and Ikawa | — | Some sections have alternating one-way traffic during roadworks |
| Prefectural Route 12, Naruto–Ikeda Line | Mino roadside station and the approach towards Ikeda | — | Mino is outside the main route |
Places to stop
Scenic and cultural stops
The numbers match the map. The Iya Kazurabashi marker shows Yumebutai, where you leave your car.
| No. | Place | Parking | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koboke Observatory | Available | Views of the Koboke rock faces and Yoshino River |
| 2 | Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat | Available | Adults ¥1,800; children aged 3 through elementary school ¥900. High water, strong winds and other conditions can cancel sailings |
| 3 | Heike Yashiki Folk Museum | 45 car spaces | March–November 9:00–17:00; December–February 9:00–16:00. Junior high school age and older ¥500; elementary school children ¥300 |
| 4 | Iya Kazurabashi | Yumebutai: ¥500 per car | About 5 minutes on foot from the car park. Bridge admission: junior high school age and older ¥550; elementary school children ¥350 |
| 5 | Biwa Waterfall | Paid parking at Yumebutai and nearby car parks | A waterfall about 40m high, close to Iya Kazurabashi |
| 6 | Hinoji Valley | — | Views of a broad bend in the Iya River. Check nearby roadworks restrictions |
| 7 | Iya Valley Peeing Boy Statue | — | A statue on a rock projecting from the cliff |
| 8 | Ochiai Village viewpoint | — | Views of the village spread across the opposite slope |
| 9 | Nagoro Scarecrow Village | Use the Miune trailhead car park about 700m upstream | Scarecrows are displayed throughout the village |
| 10 | Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges | 30 spaces | Junior high school age and older ¥550; elementary school children ¥350. Closed December–March. The Yaen cart is unavailable |
Roadside stations
| No. | Roadside station | Parking | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Oboke | Available 24 hours | 9:00–17:00. Closed Tuesdays in December–February, or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday. The Yoshino River viewing deck is open 24 hours |
| 12 | Nishiiya | Available 24 hours | A roadside station overlooking the Iya River |
| 13 | Mino | Available 24 hours | On Prefectural Route 12, outside Iya and Oboke. An optional stop when approaching from the east |
Best seasons and crowds
| Season | Highlights and practical points |
|---|---|
| April–June and September–November | The Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges open 9:00–17:00. Autumn brings foliage to the Iya gorge |
| July–August | Iya Kazurabashi opens 7:30–18:30; the double bridges open 8:00–18:00 |
| December–March | The Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges are closed. Iya Kazurabashi opens 8:00–17:00 |
Sunset in Tokushima City on 31 October 2026 is at 17:10. Conditions differ in mountainous Iya and Oboke; plan to leave the mountain roads while it is still light.
Busy places and times
Parking at Kazurabashi Yumebutai cannot be reserved. Allow time to park before crossing the bridge or taking a walk. Oboke sightseeing boats run throughout the day without reservations, but high water or strong winds may cancel sailings.
Road closures and restrictions as of 27 October
Prefectural Route 32 has timed closures for roadworks near Hinoji Valley until 23 March 2027. In Zentoku, the section beyond the Kazurabashi car park also has timed closures until 3 December 2026. Both restrictions apply during specified periods, excluding weekends and public holidays. The Hinoji Valley restriction also excludes 28 December 2026–3 January 2027.
National Route 439 has timed closures in Ochiai, Kubo, Sugeoi and other sections. For example, the section before Homei Bridge in Kubo closes during specified periods until 10 December 2026, excluding weekends and public holidays. Passage times differ between worksites. Before leaving, open Tokushima Prefecture’s road restriction map and check the sections you will use.
Getting there and fuel
| Starting point and destination | Approximate journey |
|---|---|
| Ikawa-Ikeda IC to the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat | About 30 minutes via National Route 32 |
| Ikawa-Ikeda IC to Iya Kazurabashi via Oboke | About 37km and 50 minutes |
| Ikawa-Ikeda IC to Iya Kazurabashi via Iyaguchi | About 33km and 60 minutes. Not passable by large buses |
| Ikawa-Ikeda IC to the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges | About 1 hour 40 minutes |
Add time for congestion and roadworks to these estimates. Check your fuel before heading into the mountains. ENEOS Yamashiro SS in Shimokawa, Yamashiro Town, opens Monday–Saturday 7:00–18:00. It closes on Sundays and from 31 December to 3 January.
If you don't have a car
Find shops in Tokushima in the rental car directory. Before booking, read the guides to driving permits for Japan and airport car rental pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Which approach to Iya Kazurabashi is easier to drive?
The approach via Oboke uses Prefectural Routes 45 and 32 and has one lane in each direction all the way to the bridge. Large buses cannot use the Iyaguchi approach. Choose Oboke if you are not comfortable with narrow roads.
How much are parking and admission at Iya Kazurabashi?
Yumebutai parking costs ¥500 per car. The bridge is about 5 minutes away on foot. Admission is ¥550 for junior high school age and older, and ¥350 for elementary school children.
Do I need a reservation for the Oboke boat trip?
No reservation is needed. Boats run throughout the day from 9:00 to 17:00, with the last departure at 16:30. The return trip takes about 30 minutes, but high water or strong winds may cancel sailings.
Can I visit the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges in winter?
They are closed from December to March. Iya Kazurabashi is a separate site and opens in winter from 8:00 to 17:00. Heavy-rain warnings and similar conditions can still cause temporary closure.
Can I cross Iya Kazurabashi during the evening illumination?
No. The bridge is illuminated from 19:00 to 21:30, but the crossing is closed during those hours.
Nearby areas and guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Obokekyo Mannaka (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- MLIT Shikoku Regional Development Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- MLIT Shikoku Regional Development Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Miyoshi Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- MLIT Shikoku Regional Development Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tokushima Prefecture road and disaster information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-27
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- ENEOS (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-27
