Explore the wavy wooden arch bridge, the castle tower, Kintai Bridge, and Iwakuni Castle on Mt.
#SeptemberDestinations2025
Kintai Bridge is one of Japan's three most famous bridges. Iwakuni Castle, also known as Yokoyama Castle, was originally built in 1608, later abandoned, and rebuilt in 1962. It is also one of Japan's 100 most famous castles.
My mother and I bought the "Kintai Bridge Sightseeing Package," which combines the Kintai Bridge toll, a round-trip cable car ticket, and admission to Iwakuni Castle. This package allows visitors to visit all three attractions at once, making it more cost-effective than purchasing tickets separately.
From JR Iwakuni Station, transfer to the Iwakuni Bus to reach Kintai Bridge. Originally constructed entirely of wood, Kintai Bridge was destroyed by a sudden flood. Later, the bridge was rebuilt with stone piers. Before crossing the bridge, you can play in the stream beneath it. The water is clear and transparent, and the two children enjoyed skipping stones. Once on the bridge, be careful as the bridge slopes and has many slippery areas, making it easy to slip!
After crossing Kintai Bridge, you'll reach Yoshika Park, home to cherry blossoms, osmanthus trees, and maple trees, some of which have even turned slightly red. The park also boasts a unique facility, the Unosato (free admission), which houses the Uroku (cormorant) breeding center. While the pelicans no longer perform fishing demonstrations, the opportunity to see their ecological restoration efforts is educational.
After taking a bus up the mountain, you can admire the scenery around Kintai Bridge from Iwakuni Castle. The castle tower displays Edo-period clothing and the construction techniques used in Kintai Bridge. The view down the mountain from this point is quite beautiful. On a clearer day, perhaps you'll even be able to see the Seto Inland Sea!