Hofu Tenmangu Mitokuji temple Izumo Taisha Omori Silver mine Xavier memorial church peace memorialpark miyajima sanctuary_outline Shukkeien Adachi garden Ikouji Rurikouji temple Amida-ji Sourin-ji Kourakuen Japanese trad.Garden_outline Matsue Yonago Shimonoseki Okayama Hiroshima HAB CITY_outline TSUYAMA TSUWANO MATSUE CHOFU IWAKUNI HAGI SAMURAI towns_outline ONOMICHI YANAI TAKEHARA KURASHIKI TOMO SHIMOKAMAGARI Xavier Cathedral SHIMONOSEKI Washi Touken Bizen Pottery Hagi Pottery & Kilns Japanese trad.artcrafts Experience-outline GEGEGENO Kitaro Matsuda museum Naval Base of Kure MAZDA,Hofu plant Modern Japan-outline Kirin beer Park in Okayama Tottori sand dune Mt.Fuji of Sanin DAISEN SHINJI Lake Iwami coast Oki Hagi coast Nagato SANIN COAST-outline SHUHODO Trail to Hikimi Hiruzen Highland Kibi Highland Tsuyama Travel with Stream locomotive Deep Inland Tour-outline SETO-OHASHI Seto-inland seas OANORAMA view Tiboli Park Tokiwa Park Inland-sea-outline List of Japanese terms Bathing in Japan 7seafood of the Lake Shinji Blow fish Stone fish Show Crab Oysters Buchwheat Noodles Peach and Other fruits Okonomiyaki
 
 
 
     
  Iwakuni, a town of about 110,000 people, has a large number of attractions, all of which are located within walking distance of each other. Kintaikyo, one of the Three Famous Bridges of Japan, is located about 12-15 minutes away from the station by cab (there's also a bus you can take if you want). It flows over the pristine waters of the Nishiki River, and in the summer children play in the water. During the cherry blossom season, cherry trees on both sides of the bridge for a mile or so bloom pink and white, lending a beautiful aspect to the already pretty river  
 
 
 
This bridge was originally built using Shinto construction techniques, which basically meant no nails or other metal parts. While the bridge has been rebuilt several times after floods and the like, and now uses some metal, the view from under the walkway will afford those who are interested in traditional Japanese construction techniques a unique chance to see how the interlocking support joists work up close.
In the river itself are swarms of large and colorful carp, many of which will congregate under the bridge in hopes of getting a free handout from the tourists. If you come at the right time of year, you can also watch cormorant fishing at night. Local fishermen keep the birds on leashes and let them swim in the river and catch fish. A ring around the cormorant's neck prevents the bird from swallowing the fish. With the river water lit by “fire baskets” and the fishermen in feudal attire, this picturesque summer activity dates back more than 400 years and offers a glimpse into Japan's olden times. (For a fuller explanation, click here: http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Chugoku/Iwakuni/Iwakuni.html.)		  
     
  Once you cross the bridge, there is a small park on the other side. In addition to the usual souvenir shops, this park has a museum（Chuko-Kan）, a garden（Yoshika Kouen）, a play area with a large fountain, a small zoo, an Edo period house（Ex.Mekata house）, and temple and graveyard, and a white snake house(Shirohebi-kan)
that contains the famous white snakes that are local to the area. Legend has it that encountering one of these snakes is good luck, and - lucky you - you can be sure of seeing one once you enter the building! All of these attractions are either free or cost only a couple of hundred yen.		  
     
 
There is also a ropeway lift up the hill to Iwakuni castle. The castle isn't particularly large, but contains some good examples of samurai armor and scroll paintings. Located on the top of the highest hill around, the view of the area - complete with the scintillating ribbon of the Nishiki River - is worth seeing, especially in Autumn.

Because of the American military base that's located in Iwakuni, there are usually good English materials available to explain the sights. Even the museum often has short English translations for its exhibitions, which makes this town more accessible than most to visitors who don't speak or read Japanese.



# #