Guided in Japanese: Iwakuni & Kintai Bridge

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Spend a day exploring the historic castle town of Iwakuni, a small coastal village on the west coast of the Sea of Aki. After boarding your motorcoach you'll travel south along a scenic route with Miyajima Island in the distance outside on the left. Considered holy since ancient times, it was believed that the gods lived on the island's highest peak, Mt. Misen.

As you continue on, you'll travel to Iwakuni. Kikko Park includes Kintai Bridge, declared a National Scenic site in 1922 and Iwakuni Castle. After arriving in Iwakuni you'll disembark at the bridge. This engineering marvel is the town's most significant landmark and is regarded as one of the three great bridges in all of Japan. A masterpiece of traditional Japanese carpentry, the bridge measures about 688 feet in length and 16 feet wide. Sitting atop stone pillars, the bridges' five wooden arches were built without the use of a single nail. After the bridge was completed in 1673, it stood for almost 300 years until a violent typhoon destroyed it in 1950. Rebuilt just a year later, the bridge today still summons a sense of tranquility and awe.

As you stroll the bridge, it's interesting to note that the Nishiki River that runs below originally separated the samurai quarters from the rest of town. Only these mighty warriors were allowed to cross the same bridge you find yourself walking today. Did you know that the bridge originally led to the main gate of the Iwakuni castle? From this vantage point you can look up and see the beautiful castle sitting atop Mt. Shiroyama.

You'll climb aboard a cable car and ride up the side of the mountain to the castle. After a slow, steady climb over a forest of cherry, maple, and hemlock trees, you'll arrive at the top of the mountain and disembark.

Constructed in 1601 by a warlord named Kikkawa Hiroie, the castle was demolished just seven years later by order of the Shogun who declared that each province could only have one castle. The castle you see today was rebuilt in 1962 and replicates the original. Inside the four-story structure, a history museum showcasing armor, weapons and other artifacts of the Kikkawa family are on display.

After visit Iwakuni Castle, you'll climb back into the cable car for the trip down the mountain and walk to local hotel for lunch. At the end of the day, re-board your motorcoach for the scenic trip back to your ship.

Special Notes:

This tour includes three hours of walking in Iwakuni, Kintai Bridge and Kikko Park including up/down hill walking and walk over bare, uneven ground. This tour is not recommended for passengers with walking difficulties or with wheelchairs.

There will be a local festival in Iwakuni city on 29th April, 2013. Heavy crowds are expected around Kitai Bridge. The bridge will be closed between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. This schedule is subjected to change depending on the conditions of the day.