Western Tokushima Prefecture in the mountainous heart of Shikoku
The Iya Valley served as a refuge for defeated Heike warriors in the 12th century. This remote gorge, with cliffs plunging 200 meters to the river below, remains one of Japan’s last hidden regions—where ancient vine bridges and thatched-roof farmhouses endure in near-pristine isolation.
Vine bridges, thatched-roof villages, hot springs, hiking trails, river activities, mountain shrines
Hotels, ryokan, guesthouses, campsites
Discover the region：Iya Valley
Nestled in Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, the Iya Valley stands as one of Japan’s three great hidden regions. For centuries, legends of the Heike clan have been passed down through this gorge—a place where time itself seems to stand still, offering a glimpse into Japan’s primordial landscape.
Suspension bridges that threaten to swallow the unwary into the depths below. Hamlets clinging to precipitous mountainsides. This remote sanctuary, sealed off by towering peaks, became the stage for legends that have transcended the ages. In 1185, following their defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura—the final confrontation of the Genpei War—Heike warriors fled their pursuers and are said to have sought refuge in Iya. It was, in every sense, a “hidden village.”
The vine bridges, known as kazurabashi, have become enduring symbols of Iya. Legend holds that these bridges were constructed by Heike warriors, designed to be quickly cut down should enemies approach. Today, three of these bridges remain, rebuilt every three years. As the emerald waters of the Iya River flow fourteen meters below, each step across the creaking wooden planks becomes a mystical, unforgettable experience—a dialogue with centuries of human endeavor.
The region’s local cuisine reflects its self-sufficient past. In these mountainous lands where rice cultivation proved difficult, buckwheat—with its shorter growing season and hardier nature—became the staple grain, giving rise to the beloved Iya soba. Another local specialty is dekomawashi: skewers of potato, buckwheat dumplings, firm tofu, and konjac, brushed with sweet miso and grilled over charcoal.
The Iya Valley reveals a different face with each passing season. Cherry blossoms in spring, verdant forests and rushing streams in summer, crimson foliage in autumn, snow-laden landscapes in winter—breathtaking vistas await no matter when you visit.Protected by rugged mountains, the Iya Valley continues to weave its own distinct landscape and culture to this day. A journey to this mystical land promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the distant memories of Japan.
