Kintai Bridge and Iwakuni Castle

Glimpse of old Japan & some impressive architecture

Ben Beechey Jul 18, 2012 - 1分鐘閱讀時間

The Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni is not only hundreds of years old, but has interesting shapes and forms

The bridge has five very distinct arches that have become a symbol of West Japan

It's only once you stand beneath the bridge that you appreciate the sheer size of it

The view from the foot of Iwakuni Castle is great, you can see the bridge, the Nishiki river and the whole city

Iwakuni Castle is a beautiful example of a Japanese castle

Inside the castle there are many historical swords and weapons

Another Japanese sword inside Iwakuni Castle

At the foot of the mountain there are several temples and shrines along the river

The riverside is a great place to sit, relax and take in the natural beauty of the area

This white snake is native to the Iwakuni area and can be seen at the foot of the mountain in a snake house

Iwakuni city's local version of sushi, which is made in a square mold

Iwakuni city (岩国市) is located in Yamaguchi-ken. It is a popular destination for tourists, just a short trip from both Hiroshima and Miyajima. Perhaps the most spectacular sight in Iwakuni is the Kintai Bridge. It spans the Nishiki river and was first constructed in 1673, its big five arches have become a symbol of the area. Iwakuni Castle which can be reached by foot or cable car sits on top of a mountain behind the bridge, and provides a glimpse into old Japan. Inside the castle is an interesting history museum containing weapons, and other historical artifacts. The area surrounding the castle also offers a number of hiking trails and impressive views over the city.

Ben Beechey @ben.beechey

I moved to Japan in late 2007 and lived in the beautiful mountainous setting of Nagano-ken for two very fun years. Although the scenery in Nagano was stunning and the snowboarding conditions second to none, I decided to try life in the fast lane and moved to Tokyo in 2009. I have been in Tokyo si...