Iwakuni City: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, located on the border of Hiroshima Prefecture, is a historic castle town famous throughout Japan for the Kintai Bridge, one of Japan’s Three Famous Bridges. The Kintai Bridge, with its beautiful five-arch structure spanning the clear waters of the Nishiki River, is a masterpiece of wooden architecture preserved since the Edo period and continues to captivate visitors.

While preserving its castle town atmosphere, Iwakuni also showcases a modern side with its proximity to the US Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Iwakuni Castle offers particularly stunning views, making it a popular scenic spot where visitors can overlook both the Kintai Bridge and the castle town.

Among local specialties, Iwakuni Sushi, made with multiple layers of thin omelets, is particularly famous. This unique sushi was reportedly invented during the Edo period as portable food for the Iwakuni domain lord’s regular journeys to Edo, and today it remains a cherished special occasion dish. Local products such as Iwakuni lotus roots and Iwakuni lotus candy are also popular souvenirs among tourists.

Visitors can enjoy scenic beauty throughout the year, from cherry blossoms framing the Kintai Bridge in spring to fireworks illuminating the summer night sky and vibrant autumn foliage. The bridge is easily accessible by local bus from Iwakuni Station, and the city itself is conveniently reached from Hiroshima Airport or Shin-Iwakuni Station on the Shinkansen line, making it an important tourist destination in the Sanyo region.