Day One Japan

Yamaguchi (山口県)

Cross Iwakuni’s wooden bridge, then visit the old castle grounds and ride up for a view of the river.

See the stops and maps
The arched Kintaikyo Bridge spanning the Nishiki River in Iwakuni
Kintaikyo Bridge · Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and framed for this page

Getting to Kintaikyo Bridge

From Iwakuni Station (岩国駅)

Take a local bus from JR Iwakuni Station to Kintaikyo (錦帯橋). If you are arriving by Shinkansen, use the city guide for a bus from Shin-Iwakuni Station (新岩国駅) instead.

Iwakuni Station West Exit (岩国駅 西口)

  • JR Sanyo Line · R 山陽本線

    If arriving by train from Hiroshima Station (広島駅), follow the red R line to Iwakuni (岩国駅, R16). Then take the local bus from the west exit.

The west exit of JR Iwakuni Station
Tokyo-Good · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized
Public transport in Google Maps Iwakuni’s official transport guide

Three stops in order

  1. 1. Kintaikyo Bridge (錦帯橋)

    Start on the town side and cross the five wooden arches over the Nishiki River. Expect steps across the arches.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Iwakuni City’s Kintaikyo guide

  2. 2. Kikko Park (吉香公園)

    Explore the park on the far side of the bridge, built on the former grounds of the local ruling family. Continue toward the ropeway base.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Iwakuni park and castle area map (PDF)

  3. 3. Iwakuni Castle (岩国城)

    Take the ropeway from the foot of the hill, then follow the path from the upper station to the castle. Check the ropeway’s return time.

    Walk to the ropeway in Google Maps Map of the stop JNTO’s Iwakuni Castle guide

The last leg includes a ropeway ride. Walk to the ropeway first and use the official access information for the ascent and opening hours.

Transport and visitor information checked .