Iya Kanko Ryokan
Only a 4 minute walk away from the Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, the multi-generation family-run
Iya Kanko Ryokan
(Iya Traveler's Inn) is one of the oldest establishments in Iya and has been a serving visitors for well over half a century.
Located just steps away from the main Kazurabashi Bus Stop, access couldn't be easier by bus, but they also have their own private parking area just across the road if coming by car.
Offering 5
classic style rooms
with
tatami
mat flooring,
futon
bedding, and
tokonoma
alcoves, you'll feel like you are stepping back in time at this traditional inn. Adding to the atmosphere of the old traveler's ways are the shared
ofuro
bath that is decked out with vibrant Iya River stones and home-style meals taken in their comfy communal dining room downstairs.
And the epic meals here may be the best you will probably ever have at this level of inn. Lovingly prepared by Ms. Deguchi and her son (who is also a skilled Italian chef), you will be served a huge array of hand-made dishes.
Featuring local recipes and ingredients, dinner includes Iya "stone" tofu, grilled amego trout, sliced konnyaku yam, Awa beef, soba-gome (buckwheat porridge), and a variety of vegetables. Breakfast is also traditional Japanese style with fish, miso soup, pickles, and other fresh treats. A variety of Miyoshi's local sake is also available, or opt instead for a beer (or three).
And with the
Kazurabashi Vine Bridge
just a few minutes away, another nice treat is to stroll over there in the evenings to see it lit up with multi-colored spot-lights (nightly from sunset to about 9pm).
Price:
- from ¥8,000 per night per person, includes dinner and breakfast (when booking, be sure to note that you want both meals included).
*Their website is only in Japanese, but you can book in English via online booking websites or contact direct via email (see more about booking below)
A bit beyond the Vine Bridge is the Biwa Waterfall and the small restaurants of the Kazurabashi Arcade. And a bit up from there is the Kazurabashi Yumebutai visitor's center.
Though there is a bath available at the inn, a nice option is to walk (or take a short bus ride) about 1km down the road to the Hotel Kazurabashi where non-guests can enjoy their beautiful outdoor hotsprings baths in the afternoons until about 5pm (last entry 4pm).
By going eastward up over the hill via Rt 45 from Oboke, it takes about 15 minutes to reach Central Nishi-Iya where the road merges with Rt 32 (to the right) and then another 5 minutes to get to Kazurabashi Junction where you need to turn left onto a more narrow and mostly one-lane road which then curves itself through cluster of roadside shops and houses. About 2 minutes from the turn the road widens around the Kazurabashi Bus Stop and just after this you can see Iya Kanko Ryokan directly in front on the left side.
Free parking for guests is possible just across the street from the inn at a small paved lot that holds a half-dozen cars or so.
A couple of additional Shikoku Kotsu buses also go via the Kazurabashi Yumebutai Bus Stop which is on the opposite side of the river from the inn, about a 7 or 8 minute walk away. Buses to/from here also go to JR Oboke Station (but these buses do not go to/from Ikeda). Most of these buses take an indirect route to/from Oboke that also goes in and out of Iyakei Gorge to Hotel Iya Onsen Bus Stop where you can get to points like the Peeing Boy Statue.
There are also some local municipal buses that go between JR Oboke Station and the Kazurabashi Yumebutai Bus Stop but these are mainly just large vans used mostly for school kids and go indirectly via back roads.
To book your stay at Iya Kanko Ryokan, their website is only in Japanese, but you can make reservations in English via either their listing on Rakuten Travel or by going to their listing on Booking.com
Or you can contact direct via email, but when writing in English, please use short and clear sentences that would be easy to understand.
Email: iyakankouryokan*outlook.jp (please replace the * with @)