Iwakuni City

  • Yamaguchi
  • Area Info
  • Sightseeing
  • Activities
  • Nature
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

Located in the eastern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Iwakuni City is a charming city where history, nature, and tradition coexist, symbolized by the "Kintai Bridge," one of Japan's three most famous bridges. Starting from the Kintai Bridge with its beautiful five-arched curves, there are surprises and discoveries at every step, such as Iwakuni Castle atop the mountain, the castle town where samurai residences remain, and the "White Snakes" considered messengers of God. Also, local specialties like "Iwakuni Sushi" (square sushi), sweetfish from the clear Nishiki River, and local sake are exquisite. The four seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring, cormorant fishing in summer, and autumn leaves, add color to the castle town landscape, making it an essential hub city for Yamaguchi tourism that warmly welcomes visitors while strongly retaining the atmosphere of the samurai era.

Iwakuni City
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やまぐち映像図鑑 NO.132 岩国市のソフトクリーム［岩国市］ | Iwakuni City Soft Serve Ice Cream [ Iwakuni-city ]

やまぐち映像図鑑 NO.132 岩国市のソフトクリーム［岩国市］ | Iwakuni City Soft Serve Ice Cream [ Iwakuni-city ]

Yamaguchi Prefectural Tourism Federation

やまぐち映像図鑑 NO.036 岩国酒蔵見学［岩国市］ | Iwakuni Sake Brewery [ Iwakuni-city ]

やまぐち映像図鑑 NO.036 岩国酒蔵見学［岩国市］ | Iwakuni Sake Brewery [ Iwakuni-city ]

Yamaguchi Prefectural Tourism Federation

Iwakuni City

Address
1-17-27 Iwakuni, Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi
Website
https://iwakuni-kanko.jp/
Operator
Iwakuni City Tourism Association

Iwakuni City Spots List

スポット一覧
  • Tokotoko Train (Cherry Blossoms)
  • Kintai Bridge
  • Kikko Park (Cherry Blossoms)
  • Mikawa Mu Valley
  • Iwakuni Chokokan Museum
  • Umamon (Pickles)
  • Former Mekada Residence
  • Kin-unkaku
  • Kagawa Residence Gate
  • Momijidani Park
  • Birthplace of Uno Chiyo
  • Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum
  • Iwakuni Castle
  • Irori Sanzoku
  • Nishikigawa Seiryu Line
  • Honke Matsugane (Seal Engraving)
Tokotoko Train (Cherry Blossoms)
Yamaguchi

Tokotoko Train (Cherry Blossoms)

This is a cute electric sightseeing vehicle that runs about 6 kilometers from Nishikicho Station to Sozukyo Onsen Station in Iwakuni City. Utilizing the site of an uncompleted line where a railway was supposed to run, the biggest highlight is the "Kirara Yume Tunnel." The tunnel walls feature stone murals painted by local children that glow, taking you through a world like a fantastical galaxy of light. Especially in spring, cherry blossoms bloom beautifully along the line, and the time spent proceeding "toko-toko" through the flower haze while feeling the breeze is truly a moment of healing. It is a...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Spring
Kintai Bridge
Yamaguchi

Kintai Bridge

Kintai Bridge (Kintai-kyo) spanning the Nishiki River in Iwakuni City is one of Japan's three most famous bridges, built in 1673, and is a wooden bridge with five beautiful arches rarely seen in the world. Its unique structure, assembled without using a single nail, is a collection of the best of Japan's advanced architectural technology of that time and is also designated as a National Scenic Spot. The view of the clear Nishiki River flowing and Mt. Shiroyama towering behind from atop the bridge is spectacular. With thousands of cherry blossoms in spring, traditional cormorant fishing fires in summer, vivid...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Kikko Park (Cherry Blossoms)
Yamaguchi

Kikko Park (Cherry Blossoms)

A vast historical park utilizing the site of the former residence of the Kikkawa family, lords of the Iwakuni Domain, stretching beyond the Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni City. Known as one of Yamaguchi Prefecture's leading cherry blossom spots, thousands of Somei-Yoshino and Yaezakura cherry trees bloom in spring, enveloping the entire park in a pale pink flower haze. The contrast between the historical landscape, with its Edo-period samurai gates, stone walls, and white-walled fences, and the blooming cherry blossoms is breathtakingly beautiful. With large fountains and lawn areas, the sight of families and couples enjoying picnics under the cherry blossoms...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Spring
Mikawa Mu Valley
Yamaguchi

Mikawa Mu Valley

An adventure park themed after a "Subterranean Kingdom" utilizing a former mine in Iwakuni City. In the vast underground exploration course, stone statues reminiscent of ancient civilizations, mysterious light-ups, and various gimmicks are prepared, allowing both adults and children to enjoy puzzle-solving like explorers. The cave stays at a constant 17 degrees Celsius year-round, making it comfortable regardless of weather. Also, with gold panning experiences, camping facilities, and hot springs attached, you can play all day in nature. It's a popular, excitement-filled spot where you can enjoy Japan's historical mining heritage as entertainment.

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Iwakuni Chokokan Museum
Yamaguchi

Iwakuni Chokokan Museum

A heavy stone museum completed in 1945, located within Kikko Park in Iwakuni City. The building itself is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and possesses a unique presence and beauty, having been built with ingenuity during wartime material shortages. Inside, historical materials and artworks handed down in the Kikkawa family, lords of the Iwakuni Domain, as well as exhibits regarding Iwakuni's culture and nature are substantial. It is a "knowledge hub" for deeply understanding the historical background of Kintai Bridge and Iwakuni Castle, where you can follow the region's progress in a quiet space. The combination of geometric architectural beauty...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Umamon (Pickles)
Yamaguchi

Umamon (Pickles)

A famous long-established Japanese pickle shop near Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni City, continuing since the Meiji era. Centered around their flagship "Ajina Takuan," their pickles are made with a traditional "triple-soaking" method that takes much time and effort, resulting in a deep flavor concentrating the vegetables' natural umami. Part of the storehouse is open to the public, sometimes allowing views of heavy brewing spaces with giant wooden vats lined up. While learning the depth of pickles as fermented foods, you can taste and purchase various types, deliciously experiencing the "fermentation culture" essential to the Japanese table. It is an ideal...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Food
  • Activities
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Former Mekada Residence
Yamaguchi

Former Mekada Residence

An Edo-period samurai residence located within Kikko Park in Iwakuni City. It was a residence for middle-class samurai of the Iwakuni Domain and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property due to its excellent state of preservation. Though two-story, it features a unique architectural style called "samurai etiquette," such as making the first-floor roof the same height as the second-floor floor to avoid looking down on the domain lord. You can actually tour the simple yet functional and dignified interior, feeling firsthand how samurai lived and what they valued. This building allows you to realistically and deeply experience the...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Kin-unkaku
Yamaguchi

Kin-unkaku

A beautiful ema-do style building built in 1885 on the site of the former residence of the Kikkawa family, lords of the Iwakuni Domain, in Kikko Park. Built in the image of a turret of Iwakuni Castle, it harmonizes perfectly with the white walls of the moat and surrounding rich greenery, creating a scene like a Japanese painting. Its reflection on the water is very photogenic, and many tourists visit to capture its beauty, especially during spring cherry blossoms, summer deep green, and autumn leaves. It's an atmospheric view spot representing Iwakuni, ideal for enjoying a slow stroll while feeling...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Kagawa Residence Gate
Yamaguchi

Kagawa Residence Gate

A prestigious samurai residence gate built in the mid-Edo period, located near Kikko Park in Iwakuni City. It served as the main gate for the Kagawa family, who held the position of Karo (clan elder) in the Iwakuni Domain, and its imposing presence and heavy tile roof still convey the authority of the samurai class today. Boasting the largest scale and best preservation state among nagaya-mon gates remaining in Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Standing before the gate, the air of the era when former samurai passed through on horseback seems to drift by....

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Momijidani Park
Yamaguchi

Momijidani Park

Momijidani Park, located near the Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni City, is one of Yamaguchi Prefecture's leading spots for autumn leaves, where the entire area is dyed in burning reds and yellows as its name suggests. Developed using the former sites of many temples that used to be here, you can enjoy an emotional stroll with stone walls and gates remaining that let you feel the weight of history within the silence. You can encounter beautiful Japanese garden-like landscapes in any season, such as fresh green in spring, deep green in summer, and colorful leaves in autumn. It is ideal as...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Birthplace of Uno Chiyo
Yamaguchi

Birthplace of Uno Chiyo

This is the restored birthplace of Uno Chiyo, one of Japan's leading female writers from Iwakuni City. It is an atmospheric wooden building from the Meiji era over 100 years old, where you can feel her deep love for "Sakura" (cherry blossoms) that she often depicted in her works. "Usuzumi-zakura" cherry trees, which she loved, are planted in the garden, welcoming visitors with expressions of the four seasons. Inside, her favorite items and manuscripts are displayed, allowing you to touch her philosophy of consistently preaching about "living happily" while leading a life full of ups and downs. It is a...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum
Yamaguchi

Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum

This is a hands-on museum where you can learn in detail about the "White Snakes of Iwakuni," a nationally designated Natural Monument that is extremely rare globally and only inhabits Iwakuni City. You can enjoy learning about the ecology of the white snakes, which have been cherished by the community since ancient times as "messengers of God" or "good luck charms for business prosperity," through the latest videos, quizzes, and observations of actual snakes. The pure white body with ruby-like red eyes is very beautiful, and you will be overwhelmed by its mysterious appearance up close. Located near the Kintai...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Iwakuni Castle
Yamaguchi

Iwakuni Castle

Standing at the summit of Mt. Shiroyama, about 200 meters above sea level, Iwakuni Castle is a beautiful mountain castle built in 1608 by the first lord, Hiroie Kikkawa, with Momoyama-style Namban architecture. You can climb up all at once by ropeway from the foot of the mountain, and from the castle tower, an overwhelming panoramic view spreads out, overlooking the Nishiki River flowing below, the world-famous "Kintai Bridge," and far out to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and even Shikoku. Inside the castle, historical materials such as swords and armor are displayed, allowing you to learn the...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Irori Sanzoku
Yamaguchi

Irori Sanzoku

This is a restaurant resembling a theme park, with massive traditional folk houses, countless lanterns, and high-flying banners appearing in the mountains. Amidst a lively atmosphere like a festival, the highlight here is devouring "Sanzoku-yaki" (charcoal-grilled chicken) grilled grandly in a hearth and the giant "Sanzoku Musubi" rice ball. In the outdoor seating, you can enjoy your meal as if you've slipped back in time to the Edo or Warring States period while feeling the fresh air of nature. It is a sacred place for Yamaguchi Prefecture's youth and families, and its overwhelming visual impact and bold cuisine will surely...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Food
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Nishikigawa Seiryu Line
Yamaguchi

Nishikigawa Seiryu Line

A local railway connecting Iwakuni Station to Nishikicho Station, running along the Nishiki River, one of Japan's leading clear streams as its name suggests. From the train window, you can view the beautiful river flow, mountain scenery that changes expressions every season, and peaceful rural areas, enjoying a train journey like a "moving observatory." The operating cars have colorful designs imagining the nature along the line, such as cherry blossoms and fireflies, making you feel happy just by riding. Away from the city hustle, entrusting yourself to the rattling train while slowly proceeding through Japan's original landscape is the ultimate...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Honke Matsugane (Seal Engraving)
Yamaguchi

Honke Matsugane (Seal Engraving)

Located in the castle town of Iwakuni City, "Honke Matsugane" is a tourism exchange center utilizing a historic building from the Edo period. Here, you can enjoy a "tenkoku" (seal engraving) experience, touching the essence of Japanese culture. The experience of carving a stone stamp yourself to create the only original seal in the world is highly praised by international visitors as a special memento of their trip. The interior preserves the architectural beauty of the time, and information on local specialties and sake is also abundant. You can stop by between visits to Iwakuni Castle and Kintai Bridge to...

  • Yamaguchi
  • Sightseeing
  • Activities
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
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