Vine slats
Over the water.
藤谷良秀(Fujitani Yoshihide) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Motokoka — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kimon Berlin — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Motokoka — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kzaral — CC BY 2.0
The Kazurabashi is a suspension bridge of twisted vines and wooden slats over the clear Iya River in a deep, forested mountain valley. The slats are spaced so you see the water beneath your feet, and the bridge sways a little as you walk. It is 45 m long and 2 m wide, about 14 m above the water, and weighs around five tonnes. It is made of hardy kiwi vines and rebuilt every three years. Vine bridges were once the way to cross rivers in this remote valley, and this one survives along with a few others higher up the valley. You cross slowly, holding the ropes, then walk to a small waterfall on the riverbank nearby. The valley around it is among the loveliest parts of Shikoku, especially in autumn. It is about 17 km in a straight line south of Awa-Ikeda station. The bridge is open all year and closes at dusk.
Over the water.
Deep and green.
On the bank.
Iya Valley, Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture
It sways a little; hold the ropes.
By bus or car from Awa-Ikeda.