Despite being over two hours away from Tokushima Airport, Iya, positioned in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, has seen a big inflow of international vacationers. This enhance is a part of a broader pattern of worldwide guests in search of out Japan’s most distant and scenic areas.

Iya: One of Japan’s Three Great Hidden Regions

Nestled in central Shikoku, the Iya area of Miyoshi City is surrounded by 1,000-meter-high mountains and gives untouched pure magnificence and beautiful views. One notable function is the “Hi no Ji Valley,” named for its resemblance to the Japanese character “ひ” (hello), the place guests can generally witness a sea of clouds making a dreamlike scene.

Another native spotlight is the statue of a peeing boy perched on a cliff 200 meters above the valley ground, impressed by native youngsters’s bravery assessments. The “Ochiai Hamlet,” unfold throughout steep slopes with a 400-meter vertical drop, options conventional thatched-roof homes, preserving a glimpse of Japan’s previous.

Iya, alongside Shirakawa-go in Gifu and Shiiba Village in Miyazaki, is taken into account one in all Japan’s three nice hidden areas. The Yoshino River carved out the gorgeous Oboke Gorge over 200 million years, named for the perilous nature of strolling alongside its steep cliffs. Sightseeing boats at Oboke Gorge typically see a gentle stream of international vacationers disembarking from tour buses.

An Australian vacationer remarked, “It’s like a painting. Unlike Australia, the trees here change with the seasons.”

A workers member on the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat service added, “We even get visitors from countries we’ve never heard of, like Honduras and Angola.”

At JR Oboke Station, the gateway to the hidden area, trains and buses repeatedly usher in international vacationers carrying massive backpacks and suitcases.

The iconic Kazura Bridge, a 45-meter-long suspension bridge product of vine, was traditionally designed to be lower down if pursued by enemies. The bridge is a well-liked attraction, drawing over 45,000 international guests final 12 months.

A vacationer from South Africa commented, “It’s scary and fun at the same time.”

A French customer shared, “It’s wonderful! A great experience blending nature and culture.”

While many vacationers take pleasure in crossing the bridge, Daniel and his spouse from Germany have been captivated by the Iya River beneath.

Daniel exclaimed, “It’s so beautiful,” earlier than wading into the river regardless of getting his pants moist. “I feel one with nature,” he mentioned.

His spouse Paula famous, “He’s an adventurer, always diving into things.”

Daniel added, “I’ve traveled through Europe, North and South America, and parts of Asia, but the nature and gorges here are the most beautiful.”

Still excited, Daniel later took a dip in a close-by waterfall, saying, “It felt like being hit by ice. Connecting with nature in this way is the best.”

An Authentic Cultural Experience at a Remote Inn

Why accomplish that many foreigners go to Iya, one in all Japan’s nice hidden areas?

Kajiya Iya Romantei, an inn renovated from an 80-year-old farmhouse, solely accepts one group per day, and 80% of its company are foreigners from nations just like the United States, France, and Finland. The inn is absolutely booked by way of autumn this 12 months.

On Booking.com, it boasts a ranking of 9.5 out of 10, with evaluations praising the expertise of conventional Japanese life and the magical ambiance of Iya.

A household of 4 from the Netherlands arrived on the inn throughout their three-week journey throughout Japan.

Lindsey mentioned, “It’s very beautiful. It’s my first time in such a building and place.”

Soon after arriving, the inn’s proprietor, Yasuki Shinomiya, took the household exterior for a conventional firewood splitting exercise, utilizing the wooden to warmth a “Goemon” tub.

Lindsey struggled with the duty however continued, saying, “It’s very hard!”

After an hour of splitting wooden, the household gathered across the irori (a conventional sunken fireplace) for a dinner that includes native specialties like stone tofu and Awaodori hen.

Lindsey’s spouse, Ineke, remarked, “It’s wonderful. The chicken is tender, and the hearth adds so much to the experience.”

Their daughter, Lotze, regardless of preliminary difficulties beginning the hearth, efficiently cooked rice in a conventional pot.

“It’s a great success,” mentioned Lotze, “It’s moist and flavorful.”

The household ended their day having fun with the mild glow of Japanese candles, reflecting on their distinctive expertise.

Lindsey concluded, “It’s beyond imagination. We will never have such an experience again.”

A Village of Scarecrows in a Remote Settlement

Foreign vacationers are even venturing into deeper elements of the hidden area. Nagoro, a village at an altitude of round 800 meters, attracts guests with its human-like scarecrows. About 20 Italian vacationers not too long ago visited this village, house to solely 25 residents, 70% of whom are aged.

The village is thought for its 350 scarecrows, positioned in numerous poses across the settlement. An Italian vacationer famous, “There are no villages like this in Italy.”

Nagoro can also be referred to as the “Scarecrow Village in the Sky.” Ayano Tsukimi, a neighborhood scarecrow artist, began making scarecrows modeled after her father 20 years in the past, and their quantity has steadily elevated. A video by a German pupil ten years in the past launched the scarecrow village to the world.

Ayano mentioned, “I never imagined foreigners would come to see the scarecrows. I’m so happy.”

Two vacationers from the Netherlands, who had been planning their go to for 5 years, have been lastly in a position to see the village.

“It’s incredible! We were looking forward to this the entire trip,” they mentioned.

Ayano then guided them to a former faculty constructing crammed with scarecrows depicting numerous scenes, together with a tug-of-war and Awa Odori dance.

The vacationers marveled, “It’s unbelievable! We’ve truly experienced a part of Japan we couldn’t have known from just Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.”

Source: ANN