Japan, Shikoku

Thrilling River Crossing: Vine Bridges of Shikoku

Posted by bestregardsfromfar on

Article updated on January 19, 2024
Text & photos: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen

When the Heike clan lost the Shido-no-Ura battle against the Geinji Clan in the 13th century, they were forced to

Pin it for later!

Old vine bridge over a roaring river and green forest around in Japan.

flee and live in the remote mountains of the Iya Valley on Shikoku Island.

Vine bridge in a lush forest by a waterfall on Shikoku Island, Japan.
Hiker crossing a vine bridge above a wild torrent in a lush forest on Shikoku Island, Japan.
Vine bridge on Shikoku Island, Japan.

The legend says they built vine bridges over the river so that they could cut them off and escape their pursuers. The bridges became the lifeline of the inhabitants of these mountains, also serving for trade and pilgrimages up Mount Tsurugi. They were often doubled with a yaen (a wooden box tied up to a rope on which you would pull to transport goods or people across the river).

If you are up for a thrill, you can still cross these swaying and slippery bridges over the roaring waters of the Iya River in two locations: Iya-no-Kazura Bashi and Oku-Iya Niju Kazura Bashi.

Hiking boots of a hiker on a vine bridge above a wild torrent on Shikoku Island, Japan.
A vine bridge above a wild torrent in a lush forest on Shikoku Island, Japan.

Like in the ancient times, the bridges are maintained by locals. They are rebuilt every three years and made of the Actinidia Arguta vine, a tough vine that grows aggressively in the mountains of Shikoku. Two vines are grown on each side of the river, and then woven together before the bridge is planked.

Travel tips:

  • Check out this interactive map (quick tutorial) for the specific details to help you plan your trip and more articles (zoom out) about the area!

For everything about Japan, click here!

Or click on the images below for a selection:

Japanese man in a kimono walking on wet asphalt along traditional Japanese houses in Kurokawa,
Golden temple with reflections in the water, a Japanese temple with wooden roof, orange shrines and a Japanese garden with a pond and green moss.

Japanese floats and people dressed up for their summer festivals. People playing the drums.
Japanese food series: kaiseki. Haute cuisine small bites artfully prepared.
Rocky peak of Mount Asahi-dake with blue skies, a person with backpack hiking a ridgeline, snow and colourful tents in the mountain.

Several images depicting Japanese pilgrims with white clotes, stone buddhas, a vine bridge and a mountain road with traditional houses in Japan.
A roadtrip through Japan's rempote northern island written on a photo of two bears a fox and a salmon.

Leave a comment