Iya Valley Vine Bridge, Autumn 2026: Crossing Hours & Car-Free Access

The Iya no Kazurabashi (祖谷のかずら橋) is a suspension bridge woven from the vines of the shirakuchi-kazura plant, spanning the Iya Valley (祖谷渓) in Tokushima. Autumn colors usually peak from early to mid-November, when the gorge turns red and gold beneath the bridge.

There is a catch worth knowing before you go: the hours you can cross the bridge are not the same as the hours it is lit at night. The bridge also closes for reconstruction starting in January 2027.

For peak dates across the country, see our 2026 Japan Autumn Foliage Guide.

You can cross the bridge only in daylight (8:00–17:00 in autumn). In the evening (19:00–21:30) the bridge is lit, but crossing is not permitted; visitors view it from outside.

Autumn Foliage: Early to Mid-November

At the vine bridge itself, the foliage usually peaks from early to mid-November. The wider Iya Valley gorge starts turning from late October.

Nearby Ōboke (大歩危) and Koboke (小歩危) gorges run a little later, peaking around mid-to-late November. If you want to see both the bridge and Ōboke on one trip, mid-November is when the two tend to overlap.

Timing shifts with each year's weather, so check conditions before you settle on a date.

To check how the colors are coming along, call the Miyoshi City Tourism Association (三好市観光協会) at 0883-76-0877. For same-day bridge status and any closures, call Kazurabashi Yumebutai (かずら橋夢舞台) at 0883-87-2200.

Crossing Fee and Hours

There is a toll to cross the bridge.

Groups of 20 or more pay ¥500 (adult) and ¥320 (elementary). With the disability discount, the rates are ¥270 for an adult and ¥170 for an elementary student, and one caregiver receives the same discounted rate.

Crossing hours change by season. In November, the bridge follows the September–March hours: 8:00 to 17:00, with the entrance closing at 17:00.

The bridge is open year-round, but it may close on short notice when a heavy-rain warning is issued.

Viewing the Lit Bridge at Night (No Crossing)

Except during the reconstruction work (January 12 to roughly the end of February 2027), the bridge is lit every night from 19:00 to 21:30.

You cannot walk across while the bridge is lit, however. You can only view it from outside the crossing area.

The tricky stretch is early evening. In autumn, crossing ends at 17:00 and the lights do not come on until 19:00. In between, you can neither cross the bridge nor see the lights.

If you want to come at night, plan how you will get back first (see "Getting There Without a Car" below).

Nights in Iya are cold in November, so dress warmly if you are coming to see the bridge after dark. Our Autumn Clothing Guide for Japan can help you plan.

Getting There Without a Car (from Ōboke Station)

The nearest railway station is Ōboke (大歩危) on the JR Dosan Line. From there, take a local bus operated by Shikoku Kotsu (四国交通), also branded Yonkoh, to the vine bridge.

The bus ride from the bus stop in front of Ōboke Station to Kazurabashi Yumebutai takes about 20 minutes and costs ¥670. From the stop, the bridge is a five-minute walk.

This bus runs from JR Awa-Ikeda Station through Ōboke Station to Kazurabashi Yumebutai. Services are limited, so check the times for both legs in advance on the Shikoku Kotsu official site.

The return trip is the one to watch. Daytime buses run, but we could not confirm any bus running after dark, so you cannot rely on public transit for an evening visit. Plan on a car, a taxi, or an overnight stay nearby.

Ōboke Station is served by the Limited Express Nanpū (南風) from Okayama and the Shimanto (しまんと) from Takamatsu. Coming from Tokushima, transfer at Awa-Ikeda.

Parking If You Drive

If you come by car, use the municipal parking lot at Kazurabashi Yumebutai. The bridge is a five-minute walk away.

Parking costs ¥500 for a standard car and ¥210 for a motorcycle (¥1,050 for a midsize bus and ¥1,570 for a large bus). There are 350 spaces for passenger cars.

The lot does not take reservations. Weekends in the autumn season get crowded, so allow extra time.

Closed for Reconstruction, January–February 2027

The vine bridge is rebuilt once every three years. The next reconstruction is scheduled to run from January 12 to roughly the end of February 2027.

During this period, you cannot cross the bridge, and it is not lit at night. The work may run longer if snow interferes.

During the reconstruction, there is also a paid, reservation-only event to watch the work up close. For dates and booking, contact the Miyoshi City Tourism Association (0883-76-0877).

This autumn (November 2026) falls before the work, so you can cross as usual; the closure only begins after the new year. If you are visiting in winter, plan around the closure dates.

Check hotel availability and rates in the Iya Valley area→