Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya — Double Vine Bridges and Cable Car

Published: Jun 3, 2026

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Oku-Iyadouble bridgesyaen cable carvine bridgeremote Iya

Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya — Double Vine Bridges and Cable Car

Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya — Double Vine Bridges and Cable Car 2

Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya — Double Vine Bridges and Cable Car 3

Deeper in the Iya Valley, 45 minutes beyond the main tourist bridge, lie the Oku-Iya Double Kazurabashi (奥祖谷二重かずら橋) — two smaller vine bridges nicknamed 'Husband' and 'Wife' suspended side-by-side over a narrow gorge. The bridges are less reconstructed and more precarious-feeling than the main Iya bridge, with the original 'wild' aesthetic intact. Next to them stands a yaen (野猿) — a human-powered cable car where riders pull themselves across the gorge via overhead rope.

The remote location (population near zero) and lack of crowds make Oku-Iya feel genuinely adventurous compared to the main bridge's tour bus atmosphere.

Opening Hours

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (summer to 6:00 PM)

Closed: No regular closures (open year-round)

Entrance Fee

¥550 (bridges + yaen cable car included)

Best Season

Autumn (November) for fall foliage with near-zero crowds | Spring (April) for fresh green | Avoid Golden Week

Visit Duration

1-2 hours

Getting There

Access Information

2-2 Higashiiya-Sugeoi, Miyoshi City. 45-min drive from main Iya Kazurabashi (mountain road, narrow). Entry: ¥550 (bridges + yaen). Hours: 7:00–17:00 (summer to 18:00). No public transport; car or tour bus only. Parking: free.

Insider Guide

Premium

**Husband vs. Wife bridge:** The 'Husband' bridge (男橋, otoko-bashi) is larger and slightly less terrifying. The 'Wife' bridge (女橋, onna-bashi) is narrower and sways more — supposedly representing trad