What to do and see in Miyoshi, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Miyoshi, Japan including Okuiya Niju Kazurabashi Bridge, Kotohira-gu Shrine, Yoshinogawa Highway Oasis, Oboke Koboke, Honenike Dam, Former Konpira Old Theater Kanamaruza, Yoshinogawa Highway Oasis Tourist Information Center, Iya Kazura Bridge, Iyakei Valley, Unpenji Ropeway.
Restaurants in Miyoshi
1. Okuiya Niju Kazurabashi Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By Taki77 - Tokyo, Japan
This was incomparable to the "main" Kazurabashi bridge in Nishi Iya. The big tour buses don't come out this far, so what few visitors the place gets are independent travelers (we saw only about 7 or 8 others while there).
The feeling of remote discovery is full-on here. After a drive on winding one-lane roads, one needs to further walk through the forest 3 or 4 minutes down into a valley to find the Bridges, and once there you will be utterly delighted with what's there. Absolutely no tacky touristy stuff, no trinket shops or soft cream vendors, no vending machines and piles of trash, no vehicles or road or other sign of humanity... just undisturbed nature at its finest (we were there in full autumn glory, which was amazing). The Bridges were beautifully constructed (I heard they were getting new vines in the winter of 2016/17) and one is allowed to cross the Bridges as many times as you wish (unlike the main Kazurabashi's one-way only once arrangement). And one must try the fun little rope cart too. A really serene campground is located just across the Bridges and if we'd known, we would have stayed here if we had a tent. The river is also easy to access here and would be nice to wade in during the summer, but in October the water was a bit cold. But overall, one could easily spend a great time here having a picnic on the river bank between the two Bridges. Simply delightful!
2. Kotohira-gu Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 867 reviews
Reviewed By Maitheng - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kompirasan, formally known as Kotohiragu (金刀比羅宮, Kotohiragū), is the main shrine of multiple shrines/temples found around Shikoku and one of the 88 temples/shrines on the Shikoku pilgrimage route. It is made up of 1368 steps and is dedicated to sailors and seafaring. It is tough and most people only climb to 785th step which we did. It took us a while but we enjoyed the view at the top and the numerous temples/shrines on the way as well as the many places to relax, sit and refresh our thirst with the many vending machines. It is definitely worth the climb. We could notice many very old people doing the pilgrimage and wearing recognizable clothing. Some walking with cane as well. True devotees.
3. Yoshinogawa Highway Oasis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By 都市伝説さん
片側一車線が続く徳島自動車道でゆっくりできるハイウエイオアシスです。
トイレ休憩で立ち寄ったので、色々見て回れませんでしたが、吉野川の近くまで下りれたりバンガローがあったりなかなか面白そう。
高速の一車線って緊張が続くのでリフレッシユできました。
4. Oboke Koboke
Overall Ratings
4 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By Leila L - Copenhagen, Denmark
We stopped over on our way to iya onsen (train from okayama). Spectacular views on the train. It is possible to walk over to the visitor centre on the other side of the river (15-20 min) where there is a moderately interesting folklore and mineral exhibition, and when we went also a temporary photographic exhibition of the iya valley (nice).
5. Honenike Dam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By ファクトリ ノ
Hōnen'ike Dam is a multiple-arch dam in the Sanuki Mountain range at Kan'onji, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. The Reservoir it creates is used for irrigation. Construction began in 1926 and was completed in 1930.The dam is 32 m high and has a crest length of 158 m. It is supported by six arched buttresses.[3] Some renovation work has been needed to control leakage; special care has been taken due to its status as a cultural asset.
The dam has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese Ministry of Culture
6. Former Konpira Old Theater Kanamaruza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By Chuzaa - Vancouver, Canada
If you visit the Kotohiragu Shrine, this is a must to learn Japan's traditional theatre setting. In a sense, it's a Japanese equivalent of Globe Theatre in London.
The grand Kabuki theatres in Tokyo (The Kabuki-za Theatre and the National Theatre), Kyoto (The Minami-za Theatre) and other places are over-enlarged and their stages are too big to enjoy the Kabuki Performances. However, Kabuki actors look great as they are all very close to the audience at the Kanamaru-za. Please note that Kabuki Performances are only available for two to three weeks in April only. In months other than april, you can see the details of the traditional Kabuki theatre structures.
7. Yoshinogawa Highway Oasis Tourist Information Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By sararymanx - 武豊町
計画なく急に家族で四国にドライブ行こうということになった時に助かりました。なるとお箸から直接徳島自動車道へ行けるようになったので、そのルートで一番大きな吉野川ハイウェイオアシスにあるので便利です。四国や徳島のパンフレットが並んでいています。観光センターのスタッフさんに話を聞くと「夏の時期でしたら、阿波踊り体験のイベントなどがお勧めですが、今の時期（１月）でしたら、”うだつの町並み”や”祖谷渓”が良いと思います。祖谷渓は蔓のつり橋がスリル満点で四国旅行の思い出になりますよ。」と進めてくれました。
8. Iya Kazura Bridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 573 reviews
Reviewed By jameshuang - Taipei, Taiwan
The peculiar Iya Kazura Bridge (祖谷葛藤橋, 祖谷のかずら橋) is located in West Iya Valley (西祖谷), Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan. The legend behind this extraordinary bridge was started when the Heike refugees defeated by Genji ( Minamoto family) in the 1185 Gempei War. They relocated to remote areas, which included Iya Valley, as a safe place to settle down. Once there were 13 Bridges spanning the valley, but only three survive today. Iya Kazurabashi (祖谷葛藤橋, 祖谷かずら橋), the longest and most popular of the remaining Bridges, stretches 45 m (148 ft) across the Iya River at the center of the valley. The use of the monkey kiwi vine to build the bridge was to avoid having the enemy crossing the river by allowing easy cutting of the bridge when necessary. The bridge is designated as a National and Prefectural significant folk cultural asset.
We didn’t know the legend behind the vine bridge before we came. It took us 90 min via Japan National Route 32 to reach Iya Kazura Bridge. The last ride on Tokushima Prefecture Route 45 was winding and steep. After we parked at large parking lot, we went inside the building where local souvenirs and foods are sold. We also found a small area displaying a model of Vine Bridge and history about the bridge. We followed the small road to a concrete bridge crossing the Iya River. Here is the perfect location to take photos of the Iya Kazura Bridge. In few minutes, we were at the entrance of the Vine Bridge. The bridge is designated as one way traffic and we learned why when we were in the bridge. Everyone held the vine handrail on either side of the 2 m wide bridge and some of them were really frightened of the wobbling when crossing the bridge, especially in the middle of the bridge where the handrail tends to move away from the bridge making it feel like you will drop from the bridge. I believe only a few people really take the chance to see the valley 15 m (49 ft) down to the river. Every three years local people will rebuild the Vine Bridge using local Monkey kiwi vines with 2-3 cm in diameter. It becomes harder to get those vines for rebuilding the bridge because it takes 20 to 30 years for the vines grow thick enough.
Be sure take a short walk to visit the nearby 50 m (164 ft) high Biwa Waterfall (琵琶瀑布, 琵琶の滝). It is a perfect place to cool down especially on a hot summer day.
9. Iyakei Valley
Overall Ratings
4 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By wobbs1 - Ascoli Piceno, Italy
This is one of the least traveled places in Japan. You might think that you are instead in a remote Swiss mountaintop.
We arranged in advance for a 5 hour taxi tour of the Iya Valley (with Iyakei Taxi - [email protected] - 23000Y). Our driver, a neat young woman from the area dressed in the expected suit and white gloves, was there to greet us at Oboke Station. She had only a little English, but the taxi was fitted with written materials and she carried an audiotape meant to be played at specific points. We were, however, able to converse enough to get an idea of what it was like to grow up in the area.
I'm really glad we arranged for a driver this because driving in this area would not have been fun. The roads are very narrow (e.g., one lane for both directions), and it was often necessary to back up to negotiate passage with oncoming vehicles. Moreover, public transportation is hard to find, and taxis seem to be by reservation only.
There is a western and eastern Iya Valley. We had signed up for the latter trip which is to more remote locations, but the first stop (a monorail) was closed due to weather. Therefore, we toured both the western valley, where the peeing boy statue an the vine bridge is, and the eastern valley where the Ochoai Village and the scarecrow village site. We stopped for lunch in between.
The scenery was fantastic, of course. In November, the vine bridge was not busy - we pretty much had it to ourselves. The scarecrow village is a remote village where a woman, wishing to return after a life of living elsewhere, found the place deserted. So, she populated it with scarecrow people. Beautiful but a bit somber. Finally, the Ochiai Village is an ancient hillside settlement which really does look like Switzerland. The first snow was appearing on the peaks. It's hard to imagine life there in Winter.
10. Unpenji Ropeway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By kalou-larpenteur - Tokyo, Japan
it's a very handy ropeway for lazy people who planned to reach the mt unpenji and its temple! toilet available.
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