Iwakuni Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

Kintaikyo Bridge is located at the Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Its is reachable by bus from Iwakuni and Shin Iwakuni Station. aside from this bridge, other attractions available here are iwakuni castle, white snake museum, and others. They also sell more than 100 flavours of soft serve ice cream, so that we can relax and appreciating the view while enjoying the ice cream. #tripaway #tripaway

Beautiful Japanese Sakura of Kintaikyo

#cherryblossom2024 A very Japanese look The massive pillars of the Kintai-kyo Bridge, one of the symbols of Yamaguchi Prefecture, contrast with the airy elegance of its spans. Together with Iwakuni Castle next door, it demonstrates the achievements of Japanese builders and looks equally charming at any time of the year. Recommended Visit Iwakuni Castle, which overlooks the Kintai-ke Bridge Visit Kikko Park nearby Admire the bridge from the bank of the Nishiki River How to get there From Hiroshima, you can get to JR Iwakuni Station on the Sanyo Main Line, and from Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take the Sanyo Shinkansen Express to Shin-Iwakuni Station. The bridge is between these stations, so you will have to take a taxi or bus to get to it. Summer illumination Kintai-ke is especially beautiful in August, when the summer fireworks festival takes place. This is a popular summer tradition — fireworks beautifully illuminate the bridge, creating stunning effects. Bridges and sakura Those who visit Yamaguchi Prefecture in early spring should come to the town of Iwakuni in April to admire the sakura growing along the banks of the river. The delicate pink petals against the dark silhouette of the bridge resemble an ancient engraving.

Elegance and Beauty of Kintaikyo Sakura

#cherryblossom2024 Simplicity and elegance without a single nail The picturesque Kintai Bridge connects the banks of the Nishiki River in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The structure of five high arched spans was built without a single nail from Japanese cypress, chestnut and oak. Kintai-ke changes its appearance at different times of the day and year. He is very popular with photographers and artists, including the master of engraving Hokusai. Kikko Park begins right behind the bridge: there are houses where samurai once lived. Recommended Admire the bridge during the cherry blossom season Visit Kikko Park and explore the buildings of the XIX century Walk to Iwakuni Castle and Art Museum How to get Kintai Bridge is located near JR Iwakuni Station, where trains arrive from JR Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Fukuoka stations. JR Iwakuni Station is served by a train from Hiroshima on the Sanyo Main Line. The Sanyo Shinkansen runs to Shin-Iwakuni Station from Hiroshima and Fukuoka, as well as from Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Kintai-kyo is located between JR Iwakuni and Shin-Iwakuni stations, so you need to take a taxi or bus from either of them to it. The bridge marked in the Michelin guide Kintai-kyo is marked by several official titles. It is considered one of the three great bridges of Japan, a place of scenic beauty, and in 2013 even received two Michelin stars. The bridge was originally built in 1673, but was destroyed by a typhoon in 1950. In 1953, the bridge was restored according to the original sketches. In modern construction, nails are used, but they are made of steel, smelted in a Tatar furnace, from which blades were forged in the old days. We recommend that you definitely visit the bridge when traveling to the city of Iwakuni — it is very convenient to start exploring local attractions from it. Sakura around Kinunkaku House in Kikko Park The colors of the year at the bridge and in Kikko Park Every year in April, 3,000 sakura trees bloom in Kikko Park and near Kintai Bridge. Autumn colors the foliage with bright colors. Kikko Park is one of the most beautiful places in autumn Iwakuni. Sakura in Kikko Park There are several 19th-century wooden buildings in the park, including the magnificent Kikko Shrine, Kinunkaku Hall, a wooden warehouse built in 1885, as well as samurai estates. Sprinklers allow visitors to cool off in the heat

Kintaikyo Bridge in Yamaguchi

【Access】 ○ To enter Kintaikyo Bridge from the Iwakuni side, it is a 1-minute walk from the Kintaikyo Bridge bus stop. There is also a riverside parking lot, which is also immediately accessible. ○ Kintaikyo Bridge can be entered without reservation from both the town side and the mountain side. 【Points of Interest】 〜Viewing Kintaikyo Bridge from the riverside〜 Kintaikyo Bridge is said to be about 193 meters in length and about 5 meters in width. It appears to be constructed using a wooden framework technique with 'makigane' and 'kasugai'. Please make sure to go down to the riverside and look up at Kintaikyo Bridge from below. The construction is surprisingly intricate. It is also recommended for the variety of experiences it offers throughout the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, cormorant fishing and fireworks in the summer nightscape, autumn foliage, and a snowy landscape in winter. ※Information as of March 2024.

Kintaikyo Bridge and the Former Mekada Residence in Yamaguchi

【Access】 ○ Zip Code 741-0081 Yamaguchi Prefecture, Iwakuni City, Yokoyama 2 Chome-6 ○ It's about a 3-minute walk from Kintaikyo Bridge. 【Highlights】 〜Experience History〜 The Former Mekada Residence is considered to be a rare surviving example of a middle-class samurai house from the mid-18th century and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the nation. It is said that the family line settled in this area after being employed by Yoshihisa Yoshikawa during the Tensho period and later followed the lord Hiroie Yoshikawa when the Yoshikawa clan was transferred to Iwakuni. Since it's very close to Kintaikyo Bridge, why not take a stroll and visit? ※Information as of March 2024.

The Old Mekata Family House

Address: 2 Chome-6 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan. Getting there: The residence is just located at the back of the famous Kikko Park in Iwakuni city. Highlights: This Mekata Family's House is a former residence belonged to the Mekada family, who were mid-level samurai. You cannot actually enter the residence, but can walk around it and observe it from a few steps away. However, I think this is sufficient to enjoy the history and very much worth it. It is in a good state of preservation, and is a valuable cultural heritage site. The roof covered with double-sleeved tiles, which is also known as Iwakuni tiles, has a high design and looks amazing! Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily Admission fee: free of charge #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk

Iwakuni Art Museum

Address: 2 Chome-10-27 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan. Getting there: The Iwakuni Art Museum is just located opposite to the famous Kikko Park in Iwakuni city. Highlights: The Iwakuni Art Museum also formerly known as the Kashiwabara Museum. This museum displays an art collection that includes glassware, samurai armor, ceramics and the furniture of Iwakuni's feudal lords. It is named after the family who owns the collection. It's more of a history museum with artifacts, but they're showcasing the artisans' mastery of the craft rather than historical relevance to the area. This museum is almost mandatory if you want to have any hope of absorbing the history of the entire Yokoyama area. 🥰 Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily Admission fee: 800yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk

Iwakuni Art Museum

Address: 2 Chome-10-27 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan. Getting there: The Iwakuni Art Museum is just located opposite to the famous Kikko Park in Iwakuni city. Highlights: The Kashiwabara Museum also formerly known as the Iwakuni Art Museum. This museum displays an art collection that includes glassware, samurai armor, ceramics and the furniture of Iwakuni's feudal lords. It is named after the family who owns the collection. It's more of a history museum with artifacts, but they're showcasing the artisans' mastery of the craft rather than historical relevance to the area. This museum is almost mandatory if you want to have any hope of absorbing the history of the entire Yokoyama area. 🤩 Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily Admission fee: 800yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk

Kikko Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-8-5 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan. Getting there: You can take bus and stop at Yokoyama bus stop. The shrine is just around 5 minutes from the bus stop. Highlights: Kikko Shrine is the family shrine of Iwakuni's powerful Kikkawa family. The shrine was constructed in 1884 and is situated above the living quarters of the family's former residence. It's also designated as an important cultural property of the country. 😬 The garden behind the shrine is beautiful and the river that flows around the shrine precincts is also quaint. You can spend a relaxing time, so be sure to check it out! 😌 #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk

Kikko Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-8-5 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 741-0081, Japan. Getting there: You can take bus and stop at Yokoyama bus stop. The shrine is just around 5 minutes from the bus stop. Highlights: Kikko Shrine is the family shrine of Iwakuni's powerful Kikkawa family. The shrine was constructed in 1884 and is situated above the living quarters of the family's former residence. It's also designated as an important cultural property of the country. The garden behind the shrine is beautiful and the river that flows around the shrine precincts is also quaint. You can spend a relaxing time, so be sure to check it out! 🥰 #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk