Spring Arrives in Iya and Everywhere Re-Opens
April 2, 2021
Spring has Sprung in the Iya Valley!
After a fairly cold winter, spring has arrived in full force to Iya. The recent weather has been a bit warmer than usual, making the cherry blossoms now at full bloom about a week or two earlier than last year, and various other flowers are popping out everywhere. And with fresh new leaves sprouting on the trees, the Iya Valley is looking beautiful!
Also, as of April 1st, all locations in Iya have re-opened to their usual seasonal schedules, including all points in Oku-Iya such as the Double Vine Bridges, the historic houses, and campgrounds.
However, places in Minokoshi and Mt. Tsurugi including the chairlift and mountain-top Tsurugi Chojo Hut will re-open on the weekend starting April 16th. This also includes the local bus which goes to Minokoshi (Tsurugisan Bus Stop). Weekend service to here re-starts on April 17th. Until then, this bus will only go as far as the Double Vine Bridges (Niju Kazurabashi) on weekends. Check the Local Bus Timetables for full schedule info.
Enjoy the wonderful views and weather!
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!