Iya Valley

Not to be confused with Miyoshi (三次) City in Hiroshima.

Miyoshi (三好) City is in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku.

Understand

Located in the center of Shikoku Island, Miyoshi City is the administrative name for a collection of districts which were amalgamated in 2005.

These districts include:

• Ikeda
• Yamashiro (for Oboke and Koboke)
• Nishi-Iya and Higashi Iya (for the Iya Valley)
• Ikawa
• Mino

Tourist information site

The official tourism webpage for Miyoshi City (covering all districts above) is available in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

Get in

Miyoshi City is serviced by JR Trains. There are 9 stations in Miyoshi along the Dosan Line that runs from Tadotsu to Kochi. The Limited Express Train Nanpu that connects Kochi and Okayama stops at Awa-Ikeda Station and Oboke Station en route. This will be the fastest and most convenient way to reach the city for train travelers from the mainland. Awa-Ikeda Station is also the terminus of the Tokushima Line which runs here from Tokushima.

Hankyu Bus runs Highway Buses from Osaka and Kobe to Awa-Ikeda Bus Terminal (阿波池田BT) located near Awa-Ikeda Staion. Highway buses from Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsuyama, Tokushima, Kochi, stop at the Miyoshi Bus Terminal (三好BS) in Higashimiyoshi just east of Miyoshi. Without a car, Miyoshi Bus Terminal is about a 40 minute walk from Tsuji Station where you can catch a train to Awa-Ikeda or call a taxi from the Yoshinogawa Service Area if you don't wish to walk.

Generally speaking, Ikeda acts as the central transportion hub for both entering the city and for travel within.

Get around

There are several buses daily that travel to/from Ikeda's Awa Ikeda Bus Terminal (阿波池田ＢT), which pass by JR Awa-Ikeda Station (one minute away) and travel to the Iya Valley. A few terminate in Deai (bottom of Iyakei Gorge area) and others go via Oboke into Nishi-Iya past the Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, and then continue all the way into Higashi-Iya and terminate in Kubo (久保). There are also other buses on weekends/holidays only that travel between JR Oboke station and the Kazurabashi in the Iya Valley only.

If you don't want to worry about buses and timetables, renting a car will give you more freedom to travel around at your own pace.

See

• Unpenji Temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage (Ikeda)
• Oboke Gorge / Yoshino River (Oboke and Koboke)
• Youkai (traditional monster) Attractions (Oboke and Koboke)
• Iya Gorge (Iya Valley)
• Japan's most famous Vine Bridges (Iya Valley)
• Historic Ochiai Hamlet (Iya Valley)
• The Scarecrow Village (Iya Valley)

Do

• White-water Rafting (Oboke and Koboke)
• Hiking and Camping (Iya Valley)
• Hotspring bathing (Oboke and Koboke, and Iya Valley)

Buy

The main shopping district is in Ikeda.

Eat

Miyoshi area specialties include grilled river trout, "Iya Soba" noodles, uniquely dense "stone" tofu, and highly prized "san-sai" mountain sprouts.

Drink

Ikeda is home to three local sake breweries.

Sleep

A wide range of sleeping options are available, mostly in the Iya Valley area, but also some in Oboke and Koboke. Private cabin rentals, classic-style inns, traditional guest houses, camping, high-end luxury hotels, and even free mountain top huts accessible only by foot. A unique option in the Iya Valley would be to stay in a centuries-old thatched roof farmhouse.

Go next

• Higashimiyoshi
• Tsurugi
• Mima
• Otoyo
• Kami
• Kochi City is located an hour or so south.
• Manno
• Kotohira
• Takamatsu City is located an hour or so to the north.