New Inohana Tunnel give faster access to Miyoshi!
December 15, 2020
Travel to/from northern Shikoku is now much quicker and smoother!
Opening on December 13, 2020 the
New Inohana Tunnel gives a much better access option for those who are driving to/from points in northern Shikoku such as
Kotohira,
Zentsuji, and
Takamatsu City.
Previously, when going to/from these northern points in Kagawa Prefecture, there were two main road options: either take the Expressway which not only costs money in tolls but is not a direct route so it doesn't really save any time; or take RT 32 south from Kotohira up and over the Inohana Pass (413m) which was full of steep climbs and hairpin turns, and not so fun especially if the weather was bad or if you were stuck behind a large truck.
But after years of construction, RT 32 now offers the
"New Inohana Tunnel"
(the old "Inohana Tunnel" is up on the mountain pass). This series of four tunnels is about 8km long, reduces driving time by about 10 minutes, and cuts the travel distance by almost 5km. The smooth ride has few turns and a gentle slope, so no worries about being stuck behind any huge vehicle moving slowly up the mountain. And you'll have no problems with weather or the road freezing either. The longest of the four tunnels is over 4km long and there is no toll fee needed.
Of course, it is still possible to take the old route
over the Inohana mountain pass which also goes past the entrance to Hashikura-ji Temple
MAP. Even though the old route takes an extra 10 minutes to go between central Ikeda
MAP
and northern Shikoku places like Kotohira
MAP
,
this route has lots of awesome views
of the mountains that are particularly beautiful in mid-April to early May when the verdant first leaves start appearing, or in mid-late November when the autumn leaves are changing. And now that most of the trucks will be taking the tunnel, there's no need to worry about getting stuck behind one (however local construction may still be happening so some trucks may still use this route). But, if the weather is bad or you are driving at night (or you just have a need for speed), do yourself a favor and be sure to take the New Inohana Tunnel!
Find out more about driving to/from points in northern Shikoku such as Kotohira, Takamatsu, and beyond on our Transport Page.
From January 9, 2024 until February 15 the Iya-no-Kazurabashi in Nishi-Iya will be closed in order to replace the vines.
Several sights and places to stay either fully close or have limited schedules in the winter season from December 1 until March 31, particularly in the Oku-Iya area.
On Saturday morning November 4th the annual Oku-Iya Harvest Festival will be held in the 'downtown' area of Kyojo where lots of Iya foods will be on offer!
Join the fun with the local people this summer at a variety of events that are happening all across the Iya Valley and Miyoshi City area!
As of April 22, 2023 the main road into Oku-Iya (Higashi-Iya) has been patched up and is now passable again, and local bus service is now back to normal.
On April 6th bus service will begin again to and from Oku-Iya, but the necessary road detour will create delays for the entire bus route.
A driving route detour is now necessary for reaching Oku-Iya. Bus access is now possible again, but delays are necessary.
Spring has arrived a little earlier than usually to the Iya Valley, and the dazzling cherry blossoms are starting to paint the valley pink!
On Feb 25, 2023 the 24th Annual Shikoku Sake Festival returns to Miyoshi's Ikeda town, with lots of regional brewers serving their finest sake!