[Tokushima] Travel solo to the unexplored "Iya" ♪ 6 recommended hotels and ryokan where you can relax

There are so many things that just don't go our way. If you feel like your mind and body are starting to feel tired, why not try going on a carefree solo trip? You can spend your time surrounded by nature without having to worry about anyone else. If you could go on such a trip, it would be the ultimate healing experience.

source:Contribution of Carpe Diem

Iya in Tokushima is a place rich in nature that is counted among the three most remote areas of Japan. It is also a land dotted with mystical spots, such as the atmospheric Kazurabashi Bridge, a suspension bridge made of ivy from the Sarunashi tree, and Biwa Falls, a power spot where the Heike clan, who fled from the capital, played the biwa.

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JR Oboke Station, the base for sightseeing in Iya, is about 5 hours and 10 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen and limited express train. From there, you will mainly travel by bus. You can cross the thrilling "Iya Kazura Bridge" and enjoy the beauty of the sculptural "Oboke Koboke" gorge... You can fully enjoy nature.

After enjoying the great outdoors, enjoy a relaxing stay at a onsen inn. Relaxing alone in a hot onsen while admiring the magnificent view is truly blissful. Forget all your worries and concerns and relax to your heart's content. In this article, we will introduce recommended hotels and ryokan with onsen in Iya, Tokushima.

Shin-Iya onsen Hotel Kazurabashi is located about 20 minutes by bus from JR Oboke Station. Here you can enjoy the "open-air bath in the sky" which can be reached by cable car, and meal around a nostalgic hearth. This is a recommended ryokan for those who want to relax and forget about everyday life in an extraordinary space.

The guest rooms include standard Japanese-style rooms and Japanese-Western style rooms with modern interiors. All the rooms are spacious and have a relaxing atmosphere, allowing you to feel at ease in a onsen ryokan.

You can take a cable car up from the courtyard to the "Open-Air Bath in the Sky," where you can relax in the hot onsen while gazing at the majestic Iya valley. It's also appealing that you can enjoy different things at different times of the day, from the majestic Iya mountains shrouded in silence in the morning to the beautiful starry sky at night. On some days, you might even be able to see a sea of clouds.

For dinner, gather around the hearth and enjoy Iya's specialty dishes. We recommend "Tegomawashi," a local dish in which potatoes, konnyaku, and tofu are skewered and slowly grilled over the hearth. This simple meal, enjoyed leisurely while feeling the warmth of the hearth, is sure to fill you up from the inside out.

Hotel Iya onsen is located about 30 minutes by bus from JR Oboke Station. This hot onsen inn is located deep in the mountains, surrounded by nature, and you can feel as if you are in a villa. It is recommended for those who want to relax and unwind away from the crowds.

There are various types of rooms available, including those with luxurious open-air baths and modern Japanese-Western style rooms. There are also rooms with audio sets and stylish bathtubs that will tickle the hearts of women. You can spend the most relaxing time soaking in the bath while it's still light out, listening to your favorite music in the background.

You can enjoy onsen at the large open-air bath with a view surrounded by forest, or at a private bath. The most recommended bath is the open-air bath with natural spring water at the bottom of the valley. Take the cable car down the mountain while admiring the beautiful nature of Iya, and you will find yourself at the open-air bath with a close-up view of the Iya River. Relax in onsen while listening to the murmuring of the river, and feel your tension melt away.

meal are served in a Japanese-style kaiseki style using local ingredients such as locally grown vegetables and freshwater fish raised in the clear streams. The seasonal delicacies, such as wild vegetables in spring and sweetfish in summer, will satisfy both body and mind. Sake and wine that go perfectly with meal are also available, so ladies who like alcohol should definitely give it a try.

Oboke Onsen Sunriver Oboke is about a 10-minute drive from Oboke Station. This ryokan is located along the Oboke Valley, and you can see the magnificent valley from various places, including the guest rooms, large public baths, and meal areas. A shuttle is available from the station, so don't forget to make a reservation in advance.

There are a total of 35 guest rooms. There are a variety of rooms, including Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms, but the Japanese-style rooms with open-air baths are particularly recommended. These special rooms overlook the impressive view of Oboke Gorge, known as the "most rapids in western Japan."

The open-air baths in the guest rooms are made of cypress wood and offer a view that is full of openness, something you rarely experience in your everyday life. The beauty of each season is so beautiful that you will surely feel relaxed no matter how many times you visit.

onsen in the large public bath is a viscous alkaline spring. It is said that your skin will become smooth after bathing. Soak in the superb water surrounded by the greenery of the forest and thoroughly relieve the fatigue of your travels.

"Kyoukoku no Yuyado Oboke Manaka" is located about 5 minutes by car from JR Oboke Station. It is also about 20 minutes on foot, so it is recommended to walk while enjoying the scenery. It is also close to the bus stop to "Kazurabashi" and the boarding point for the "Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat" where you can experience a river boat ride, making it a convenient location for sightseeing.

For solo travelers, you can choose between Japanese-style and Western-style rooms. Outside the window you can see the greenery of the forest, and just gazing at it seems like it will refresh you. All rooms at this ryokan are equipped with Nanocare negative ion hairdryers and face steamers. You can relax in the beautiful scenery, take care of your skin, and leave your body and mind radiant.

In the large public bath, you can enjoy two types of water: natural onsen and artificial mineral onsen. In the open-air bath, you can spend a relaxing time soothed by the majestic scenery of Oboke Gorge and the murmuring of the river. If you want to be even more soothed, there is also a completely private bedrock bath. Sweat it out and blow away your daily stress.

For meal try local cuisine made with plenty of locally produced mountain delicacies.
You'll be sure to smile at the dishes you can only get here, including those made with the river fish "amego."

"Iya no Yado Kazuraya" is located about a 20-minute bus ride from JR Oboke Station. It is within walking distance of "Kazura Bridge" and "Biwa Falls," known as a power spot, making it the perfect ryokan for enjoying the nature of Iya. The charm of this inn lies in the tranquil environment, with views of the Iya mountains from the spacious courtyard and observation bath. It is recommended for solo travelers who want to relax and be healed by nature without worrying about being seen by others.

If you are traveling alone, the room you choose will be chosen at your discretion, so you won't know what kind of room you'll be staying in until the day itself. All of the rooms are spacious Japanese-style rooms filled with the warmth of wood. You can spend a peaceful time lounging on the tatami mats while it's still light out, or lost in thought while gazing at the magnificent nature of Iya.

The open-air observation bath is a place where you can relax and enjoy the seasonal nature. The beautiful nature of cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn are a delight to the eyes. When the sun goes down, it's nice to relax in the hot water listening to the sounds of insects and gazing at the stars. The view from the spacious indoor bath is also outstanding.

At the restaurant in the hotel, you can enjoy local cuisine made with fresh mountain vegetables and river fish from Iya. If you want to go a little more luxurious, try ordering Awa beef, a black-haired Japanese beef from Tokushima. Even gourmet women will be satisfied with the melt-in-the-mouth taste.

Oboke Iya Awa onsen Awanosho is located on the banks of the Yoshino River, about a 20-minute bus ride from JR Awa Ikeda Station. This small ryokan is recommended for those who want to enjoy a simple, relaxed trip. You can spend a quiet and relaxing time in the large public bath, which boasts excellent spring water quality, or in the observation deck on the top floor, which overlooks the Iya Valley.

From the Japanese-style rooms, you can enjoy views of the nearby Yoshino River and the Asan Mountains that separate Kagawa and Tokushima, allowing you to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. You can spend some relaxing time alone.

In the large public bath in the building, you can enjoy alkaline spring water that has a lukewarm feel on the skin. It opens from 4pm, so you can head straight to onsen after checking in. Relax and soothe your tired body after a long day of walking.

source:Contribution by Enjoy

In Iya, a hidden gem in Japan, you can enjoy the rich nature and onsen at your leisure. It's remote, so you can enjoy your time alone without being disturbed by anyone. If you want to spend some quiet time alone and heal your mind and body, be sure to visit Iya.