Visiting Kintaikyo Bridge and Iwakuni: a day trip from Hiroshima

Kintaikyo Bridge is the star of eastern Yamaguchi, and Iwakuni is an easy half day or day trip from Hiroshima. Here is how to make the most of it.

Crossing the bridge

Buy a ticket at the booth by the bridge and walk across the five arches, up and down the steep wooden steps, then come back the same way. The three middle arches rest on massive stone piers, built to withstand the floods of the Nishiki River. For the best view of the whole structure, walk down onto the wide pebble riverbed below. The bridge is lit up in the evenings.

Kikko Park and the castle

• Kikko Park: on the far side of the bridge, the site of the Kikkawa lords’ residence, with old samurai houses, the Iwakuni Art Museum, fountains and cherry trees.
• The white snakes: a small museum shows Iwakuni’s rare white rat snakes, a protected natural monument and a symbol of good luck.
• Iwakuni Castle: ride the ropeway up Mount Shiroyama to the castle keep, rebuilt in 1962. The view from the top takes in the bridge, the town and the Inland Sea.

Seasons

• Spring: cherry blossom in late March and early April is the most beautiful and busiest time.
• Summer: cormorant fishing by torchlight on summer evenings, with boats to watch it from.
• Autumn: red maples in the park and on the hill in November.

Food

Try Iwakuni-zushi, a pressed sushi made in big wooden frames in layers of rice, fish, egg and vegetables, said to have been created for the lords of Iwakuni. Ice cream shops near the bridge are famous for offering dozens of flavours. The sake brewery that makes Dassai is in the hills of Iwakuni. Read more in what to eat in Yamaguchi.

Getting there

• From Hiroshima: local trains on the JR Sanyo Line reach Iwakuni Station in under an hour, then it is about 20 minutes by bus to the bridge. Or take the shinkansen to Shin-Iwakuni, about 15 minutes, and a bus of about 15 minutes.
• With Miyajima: Miyajimaguchi, for the ferry to Miyajima, is on the same line between Hiroshima and Iwakuni, so you can see both in one long day.

Tips

• Buy the combined ticket for the bridge, ropeway and castle.
• Arrive early during the cherry blossom season.
• For somewhere to stay, see where to stay.