The first day is the area around Iwakuni and Kintaikyo Bridge,

The first day. First, stroll around Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's three famous bridges. There are many famous places in this area that represent Iwakuni.
The departure point of the trip is Iwakuni Station. Get a tourist brochure at the tourist information center in the station.

• It takes about 15 minutes by bus from Iwakuni Station on JR San-yo Line to Kitaikyo Bridge.⇒Get off at Kintaikyo bus stop (you can get around between spots in the Kintaikyo Bridge area that are introdeced here on foot)

Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's three famous bridges

When you arrive at the Kintaikyo Bus Center, you'll be welcomed by Kintaikyo Bridge in front of you. You will be fascinated by the elegant appearance of the continuous five-arch-span bridge across the Nishiki River. Take a deep breath on the bridge, You will feel comforted by the babbling stream of the river and refreshing river breeze. Cross the bridge slowly while enjoying the scenery.
Another must-see spot is the backside of the bridge, which you can see when looking up from the riverbank. You can see the the "wooden technique" like a work of art.

"Honke Matsugane" where tourist information of Iwakuni is gathered

"Honke Matsugane" is a renovation of an old building built over 150 years ago, and is an exchage center that provides information on the history of Iwakuni, tourism and special products. You can sample Iwakuni's special products and local sake (for a price). Please use it as reference when choosing souvinirs.

Let's enjoy the autumn scenery on the Momiji boat

Enjoy a leisurely ride on a pleasure boat while viewing at the beautiful clear Nishiki River and Kintaikyo Bridge against the backdrop of autumn leaves. Enjoy the coloful autumn scenery. This pleasure boat becomes a cormorant fishing boat in summer, and you can enjoy the view of Kintaikyo Bridge at night.

Lunch is elaborate Iwakuni sushi

Iwakuni sushi is also called as Tonosama sushi (nobleman's sushi). It looks so beautiful that you fall in love with it. It seems that it's possible to make for 100 people at a time by stacking multiple layers. There are many restaurants around Kintaikyo Bridge offering Iwakuni sushi, so it may be fun to eat and compare.

Let's carve your own original Hanko seal

Why don't you carve your own original seal to commemorate your trip? The Chinese monk "Dokuryu Shoeki Zen Master", who is related to Kintaikyo Bridge, is said to be the "ancestor of Japanese seal carving." At the Gokyo Bunko near Kintaikyo Bridge, all the tools are available, so you can feel free to try carving (seal making experience).

Let's be surrounded by the autumn air at Kikko Park and Momijidani Park

Kikko Park is a place for rest and relaxation that is familiar to the citizens. Let's stoll around while being eased by the rainbow over the large fountain and the seasonal flowers and greenery. Momijidani Park is recommended during the autumn leave season. The area where some temples were gathered was redeveloped as Momijidani Park, and as the name suggests, it is a famous spot for autumn leaves. Let's take a leisurely walk while breathing in the clean autumn air.
While walking around, you can take a break on the lawn or in the shadow while eating soft-serve ice cream, which is said to be a largest variety of flavors in Japan. There are some unusual flavored ones, so try to find your favorite.

Let's go to Iwakuni Castle by ropeway

Let's go to Iwakuni Castle by ropeway. It takes about 3 minutes to the mountaintop station. Nishiki River, Kintaikyo Bridge, and the castle town are getting smaller and smaller as you going up, and they look just like miniature!
Iwakuni Castle is a mountain castle built in 1608 by the first Iwakuni lord, Kikkawa Hiroie. The castle tower was once demolished, but was rebuilt in 1962 based on the blueprints of the time. The view from the castle tower is superb, and if the weather permits, you can see the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku.

Accommodation is at Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel, right next to Kintaikyo Bridge

You'll stay at a hot spring inn, Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel, right next to Kintaikyo Bridge. Relax in the hot spring and enjoy the local cuisine of Iwakuni.
Let's spend a gorgeous night with the excellent view from the open-air bath.
Kintaikyo Bridge at night is lit up and you can see a fantastical appearance different from the daytime.

On the second day, let's enjoy the clear stream of Nishiki River

On the second day, let's enjoy the clear stream of Nishiki River. Feel your body and soul refreshed in this natural area with beautiful mountains and rivers.

• Take a bus from Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel to JR Shin-Iwakuni Station. (About 15 minutes)

Tour the elaborate sake brewing

You can specially visit the brewery of Murashige Sake Brewery of local sake that has many fans nationwide. Let's take a tour of the sake brewing and take a picture of Japan's largest Sugi-dama (cedar ball) (5 m in diameter) on the premises. It is said that this Sugi-dama was originally a tribute to the god of sake.

Relaxing local train trip on the Nishikigawa Seiryu Line and Tokotoko Train

After the sake brewery tour, it's time for a relaxing train excursion. The local railway "Nishikigawa Seiryu Line" runs along the Nishiki River with a total length of 32.7 km, and you can enjoy the scenery that changes with seasons from the train window. Board the cute train covered in wrap advertising and let's go!
After about an hour, when you arrive at Nishiki-machi Station, transfer to the "Tokotoko Train", a trolley train that runs on the site of the former railway. It runs slowly for about 40 minutes, so you can fully enjoy the scenery rich in nature.

Let's refresh you body and soul at Sozukyo Onsen

After getting off the Tokotoko Train, relax in the Sozukyo Onsen surrounded by lush greenery and clear streams, and refresh you body and soul. "Ikoi-no Ie" is a natural radon hot spring that has an anti-aging effect and is fed directly from the source. For lunch, enjoy the blessing of the rich mountains and clear streams such as ayu, matsutake mushrooms, and wild boar meat.

After refreshing yourself at the hot springs, take a train on Nishikigawa Seiryu Line to the next destination, the "Irori Sanzoku".

• Free transportation from "Ikoi-no Ie" to Nishiki-machi Station (Advance reservation required)
• From Nishiki-cho Station on Nishikigawa Seiryu Line, change to JR Gantoku Line at Kawanishi Station, get off at Kimmeiji Station, and walk for 15 minutes

Is dinner a bandit dish?

"Irori Sanzoku" is a restaurant where bright lights suddenly appears in the pitch-black mountains. The specialty here is "bandit cuisine". Let's eat "Sanzoku-yaki", which is a crispy grilled young chicken on a skewer over a charcoal fire. The other popular menu is "Sanzoku Musubi" that surprises everyone at its size.

On the third day, let's go to Yanai♪

Finally the last day! Let's enjoy Yanai on the third day. Yanai was a busy commercial city during the Edo period. Let's take a walk in the town where you can feel the flow of history.

• It takes about 15 minutes by bus from Kitaikyo Bridge to Iwakuni Station.
  ⇒About 30 minutes from Iwakuni Station on JR San-yo Line to Yanai Station
  ⇒About 10 minutes on foot from JR Yanai Station

Let's take a walk through the white-walled townscape where the atmosphere of a commercial city remains

The white-walled townscape makes you feel the history of Yanai City as a commercial city during the Edo period. Let's take a walk through the streets where the residences of wealthy merchants and important cultural properties of the time remain. In summer, cute goldfish lanterns are displayed.
At Sagawa Soy Sause Brewery, you can observe the traditional soy sauce manufacturing process and experience the slightly sweet soy sauce scent and traditional taste.

Let's make a goldfish lantern at "Yanai Nishigura"

"Goldfish lantern" is a traditional craft of Yanai. The red and white body and big black eyes are humorous, and it is loved by the locals. You can experience making it at "Yanai Nishigura", which is a renovated soy sauce brewery. Draw eyes and patterns, put fins, etc., and you will have your own one in about 30 minutes.