A Day in Iwakuni: Bridges, Castles, and 100 Flavors of Ice Cream

29 April 2025 Tuesday

Kintai Bridge, Castle & Local Food

Iwakuni wasn’t originally on our must-visit list—until we found out about the Kintaikyo Bridge Festival. It felt too special to miss. Otherwise, we might have skipped the town entirely and headed straight for Hiroshima.

From Miyajimaguchi Station, we put our luggage at the storage locker next door, took a local train to Iwakuni, picked up another fun manhole card at the Iwakuni station, and hopped on a bus to the iconic Kintai Bridge—just in time to catch the ceremonial procession of the festival.

We bought a combo ticket that included access to both the Kintaikyo Bridge and Iwakuni Castle, two of the town’s main highlights. Alongside the scenic streets and unique Iwakuni sushi, these spots form the core of what makes Iwakuni special.

A Day in Iwakuni: Bridges, Castles, and 100 Flavors of Ice Cream | Japan

Close-up of Iwakuni sushi, a layered box sushi from Yamaguchi, served alongside saba (mackerel) sushi on a plate, showcasing colorful rice, vegetables, and vinegared fish.

One quirky highlight? A shop boasting dozens of ice cream flavors—perhaps even a hundred.

A Glimpse into Iwakuni’s Past

Iwakuni’s legacy dates back to the early 1600s, shaped by the powerful Kikkawa clan after the Battle of Sekigahara. Kikkawa Hiroie chose this site for his castle town, taking advantage of the Nishiki River and the natural defenses of Mount Shiroyama.

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A Day in Iwakuni: Bridges, Castles, and 100 Flavors of Ice Cream | Japan 2

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Iwakuni Castle was originally built between 1603 and 1608, but dismantled in 1615 under the Tokugawa “one castle per province” policy. It was rebuilt in 1962 and now stands as a beloved symbol of the city.
Kintai Bridge, built in 1673, is a marvel of traditional wooden architecture with five graceful arches. It’s been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, most recently in 1950 after severe flooding.

Over the centuries, Iwakuni evolved from a feudal domain to a modern military town. Today, it still hosts a U.S. Marine Corps Air Station, reflecting its 20th-century role in defense and aviation.

A Pleasant Day Trip

After the festival procession, we walked across the Kintai Bridge and into the charming castle town area. From there, we took the Iwakunijō Ropeway up to the castle. The views, the breeze, the well-kept grounds—it made for a perfect afternoon stroll.

And yes, the Iwakuni-style sushi—pressed and layered with rice, vegetables, and seafood—definitely hit the spot. Maybe we were just hungry, but it was one of the best meals of the day.

By evening, we returned to Miyajimaguchi, collected our luggage, and continued on to Hiroshima for the night.

Unexpected Seafood Yakitori Surprise in Hiroshima

In Hiroshima, we stumbled upon an amazing yakitori restaurant やきうお処ハル—but with a twist. Instead of the usual chicken, pork, or beef, nearly everything was seafood on skewers. Grilled squid, prawns, scallops—it was a refreshing (and delicious) surprise.

There was no English menu, so we leaned on our trusty translation app. Despite the language gap, the staff made us feel incredibly welcome. One young worker, with a wild, bombastic hairstyle, went out of his way to check in, make sure we were happy, and even tried chatting with us. His enthusiasm was genuine and heartwarming.

And the food? Absolutely fantastic. Smoky, fresh, flavorful—some of the best skewers we had in Japan. I honestly didn’t want to leave.

If you’re in Hiroshima, this hidden gem is worth finding: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i6yM7Ho4YsDjvNAs5