Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya

**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 traditional gender roles (stronger vs. Delicate). Both are 20–30 meters long, 10–12 meters high. Cross both for the full experience. **Yaen cable car:** After crossing the bridges, try the yaen (野猿, 'wild monkey') — a wooden platform suspended from an overhead cable that riders manually pull across the gorge using a rope-and-pulley system. Capacity: 2–3 people. Physical effort required (upper body strength); kids find it thrilling, acrophobes find it terrifying. Free to ride (included in entry). **Solitude factor:** Because of the remote location and difficult access (narrow mountain roads), Oku-Iya receives 10% the visitors of the main bridge. Weekday visits often mean having the bridges entirely to yourself — the experience the main bridge must have been 30 years ago. Best time: early morning (7:00–9:00) or late afternoon (15:00–17:00). **Combine with:** The Iya region has several roadside attractions on the drive to Oku-Iya: (1) Peeing Boy Statue (小便小僧, see separate entry), (2) Biwa Falls (琵琶の滝), (3) abandoned village of Nagoro (see separate entry). Budget 4–5 hours for full Iya Valley loop from Oboke Station.