[Private car included] Tour of Oku-Iya – a thousand years, a hidden hamlet (6 hours)

Visit highlights of Oku-Iya on a private car in 6 hours. Local specialty lunch with Iya soba buckwheat noodles is included. It’s reassuring with a professional local driver who knows everything about the rough mountain roads in Oku-Iya.

In a private car, visit Double Vine Bridges of Oku-Iya, an observatory with a view of Ochiai village – designated site as Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings, and Iya Valley, awarded with two stars on Michelin Green Guide Japan.

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All year round
Ochiai Village Observatory
Observatory with a view of Ochiai village, a designated site as Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings.

Iya Valley (Hinoji Valley and Statue of A Peeing Boy)
Hinoji Valley, awarded with two stars on Michelin Green Guide Japan and Statue of A Peeing Boy.

Please note that the sights visited in summer are different from those in winter.
Summer (from April to November)
Nagoro Scarecrow Village
Located deepest in Iya, a mysterious village inhabited by more scarecrows than human residents.

Double Vine Bridges of Oku-Iya
A relaxing place surrounded by nature. A legend says that the bridge is built by members of the Heike clan to go to their horse-riding ground in Mt. Tsurugi.

 

Winter (from December to March)
Vine Bridge in Iya and Biwa Waterfall
The bridge is said to be built by fleeing members of the Heike clan who lost in battles. A legend says that they missed then-capital Kyoto and played biwa, a string instrument, by the waterfall.

Oboke Gorge Pleasure Cruise
An exciting boat ride down the river between high rock walls like marble sculptures. Views are spectacular in every season – with cherry blossoms in spring, autumnal foliage, etc.

*Depending on local traffic conditions and departure points, order of visits and length of time at each sight may change.

Price: From 35,800 yen per 2 persons (varies depending on the number of reservations)
Departure Time: 9:00 AM
Language: Japanese
Minimum No. of participants: 2
Tour conductor: None
Application deadline: 5:00 PM on 4 days before the tour

 

Please see Terms & Conditions here.
[Tour operator]
General Incorporated Association Sora-no-sato
995-1 Ikeda-cho Shima, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima
TEL +81-883-87-8988/+81-90-4339-7622(Japanese only)
e-mail: soranosato@nishi-awa.jp
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Sat., Sun., & national holidays)
Registered Travel Agency of Tokushima Prefecture (Registration No. 2-148)
Certified Domestic Travel Services Manager: Eri TAOKA