4 spots โ sorted by traveller rating
The Iya Onsen ryokan perches on a cliff face 170 metres above the Iya River, accessible by a private cable car from the valley road. The outdoor rotenburo bath hangs over the gorge, offering one of Japan's most dramatically situated hot spring experiences with the river rushing far below. The spring water is a sodium-bicarbonate type said to be beneficial for circulation and skin.
Tsurugi-san offers a range of hiking experiences from a gentle 90-minute summit stroll from the ropeway upper station to a full-day traverse starting from the valley floor. The summit plateau in October turns brilliant gold with dwarf bamboo foliage, while late spring brings snow patches and wildflowers to the upper slopes. The mountain ropeway operates from April through November, with limited winter access.
Sea kayaking in the waters around the Naruto islands offers a thrilling perspective on the tidal currents that power the famous whirlpools. Guided tours depart from the Naruto area and take paddlers through narrow channels between the small uninhabited islands of the strait, with opportunities to spot sea birds and observe the coastal geology up close. Best attempted outside of peak whirlpool conditions for safety.
Flat-bottom boat tours navigate the turquoise waters of Oboke Gorge, drifting beneath towering walls of pink and white marble polished smooth by the Yoshino River. The 30-minute guided tour is suitable for all ages and offers views of the gorge walls impossible to appreciate from the road above. Whitewater rafting tours covering more turbulent sections of the river are also available from operators in Awa-Ikeda.
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