Parks and the outdoors in Iwakuni

Parks and the outdoors in Iwakuni

1. See

   Kikko Park

   吉香公園

   A pleasant green spot on the other side of the bridge, with some lovely flower gardens, large sprinklers for a soak on a summer day, and a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in April. Expect to meet some chatty locals here. The entrance to the park is overseen by a statue of Hiroyoshi Kikkawa, the feudal lord who directed the construction of the Kintai-kyo; the park was built on the grounds of the Kikkawa family home. There are two museums in the park for visitors interested in samurai culture and feudal Iwakuni.

   24 hr

2. See

   Kintai-kyo

   錦帯橋

   Only samurai used to be able to cross the arches of this long, magnificent bridge. These days, the river it spans has been reduced to a trickle, and anyone willing to fork over the admission can go back and forth as they please. The 210-m original was built in 1673 using only wood — no metal nails — but the present structure is a 1953 reconstruction.

   ¥300 adults, ¥150 children. After the ticket office is closed, you're on the honor system to leave the admission fee in the box out front

3. See

   Nagaya Gate

   長屋門 Nagaya-mon

   At the south end of the park, you'll see the dramatic gate, the home of the Kagawa family who were the Kikkawa's principal samurai retainers.

4. Do

   Underground Kingdom Mikawa Muvalley

   美川ムーバレー

   An entire adventure theme park located underground. The premise of the adventure is based on ancient writings found in a mineshaft that leads to questions about whether the world and its history is really as we perceive it to be. The ancient underground kingdom appears to have been inspired by Mayan culture, at least as far as the statues, art, and motifs used. They have a variety of mission quests with tasks you can complete, panning for gold, digging for gemstones, as well as caves and waterfalls, a restaurant, and an onsen.

5. Do Not mapped

   Kintai-kyo Festival

   This is the busiest day of the year around the Kintai bridge area of Iwakuni, with more than 40,000 visitors. It's held annually on Showa Day, at the beginning of the Golden Week national holidays. The centerpiece of the festival is the mid-day Daimyo Procession, featuring a traditional dress march across the bridge; there's also food, festivities, and samurai demonstrations around Kikko Park.

   April 29

6. Do Not mapped

   Nishiki River Water Festival

   錦川水の祭典 nishiki-gawa mizu no saiten

   Fireworks in the skies over the bridge.

   first Sat of August

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Iwakuni (CC BY-SA 4.0).