Our time in the Iya Valley region had concluded and our next stop was onto Naoshima, a small island on the Seto Inland Sea. Naoshima is not far off Shikoku, but we needed to first return the hire car and then head to Uno where we had a short ferry ride to Naoshima. Like most of our travel days, the journey involved multiple forms of transport: hire car, two trains, a ferry, and finally a bus. Also like our recent travel days it was a wet day, with the rain clearing on arrival into Naoshima.
Before leaving we stopped in at the Iya Kazurabashi vine bridge, just two minutes from the camp site but we hadn’t had the chance to visit until now. Being early in the morning we had the bridge to ourselves. And after paying the fee we were able to cross.
The suspension bridges made of mountain vines (kazurabashi) are one of the notable attractions of the region. The bridges were one of the only ways to easily move people and goods across the river of the of the Iya Valley. Legend has it that they were either first raised by Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism, or created by Heike refugees hiding in the area after their defeat in the Gempei War (1180-1185) as a means of quickly cutting off access to the valley.
13 bridges once spanned the valley, but only three survive today. Iya Kazurabashi is the largest remaining, stretching 45 meters across the Iya River at the centre of the valley, and gives an unsettling view of the water 14 meters below the open slats. The bridge, which is rebuilt every three years, is anchored to tall cedar trees at both ends and has steel cables hidden within the vines for safety. It was a fun time crossing the bridge – cue Indiana Jones music and samurai moves. Minus the bridge collapse thankfully.
A wet and winding drive back out of Iya Valley and crossing back over the Great Seto Bridge saw us return to Honshū to return the car in Okayama. Here we said goodbye to Jane and Gary and family who boarded the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. The two families will continue onto Naoshima, minus our local experts and translators.
The two trains and ferry ride go well, with free wi-fi at the ferry station pleasing for most. On arrival in Naoshima we queue for the shuttle bus, but it soon fills up meaning we have a 40-minute wait for the next one. With some of the group staying in line to ensure we make it onto the next bus the others walk to the closest 7-11, which from our experience to date is never more than five minutes away. Here we stock up for dinner and breakfast as we hadn’t arranged meals at the hotel – which requires three days’ notice.
Just on dark we arrive at the final bus stop which is where our accommodation is, Tsutsujiso Lodge which is right on the beach front. Here we will spend three nights, with the first night staying in Mongolian Yurts. After dinner we quickly go to sleep with the lap of the water on the beach only 50 metres away.
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