[Other 01] JR Iwakuni Station
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[Go 01] JR Iwakuni Station
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On the San'yo Main Line. It's about 45 minutes from Hiroshima]] by local train, and makes a nice onward stop after a night at Miyajima]]. The fare for a one-way trip from Hiroshima is ¥760. The city can also be reached from Hiroshima in about 20 minutes via Shin-Iwakuni Station, on the San'yo Shinkansen. However, the only bullet train to stop at Shin-Iwakuni is the all-stops Kodama and there are few hotels and restaurants around the new station, which is a long ride from the old station.
[Go 02] Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport
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This airport reopened in 2012 after a 48-year hiatus. ANA operates flights from Tokyo]] Haneda and Naha]]. The airfield was only available for use by the U.S. military. It's still a cause of some controversy, as residents have clamored for it to be converted into a public international airport. Other nearby public airports are in Hiroshima]] and Ube]].
[See 01] Kintai-kyo
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Only samurai used to be able to cross the arches of this long, magnificent bridge. These days, the river it spans has been reduced to a trickle, and anyone willing to fork over the admission can go back and forth as they please. The 210-m original was built in 1673 using only wood — no metal nails — but the present structure is a 1953 reconstruction.
[See 02] Kikko Park
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A pleasant green spot on the other side of the bridge, with some lovely flower gardens, large sprinklers for a soak on a summer day, and a popular Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossoms Spots
[See 03] Chōko-kan
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A library with historical documents and scroll paintings.
[See 04] Kikkawa Museum
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Dedicated to the aforementioned family of warlords, and including some of their weapons.
[See 05] Nagaya Gate
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At the south end of the park, you'll see the dramatic gate, the home of the Kagawa family who were the Kikkawa's principal samurai retainers.
[See 06] Mekata Residence
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The home of another family of Kikkawa retainers. (Don't try to enter either, though; they're still private residences.)
[See 07] Iwakuni Castle
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Although the original castle only stood for seven years, that was excuse enough for a reconstruction during the 1960s. The foundations of the original lie a short distance behind the new one; the builders apparently decided to move it closer to the cliff for scenic purposes. Inside the castle is a small historical museum.
[See 08] Iwakuni Art Museum
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Art and artifacts about samurai life, including some remarkable sword exhibits. The admission is a bit steep, but you'll find better English information here than elsewhere.
[See 09] White Snake Museum
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Dedicated to the white snakes that are native to the Iwakuni area (not the hair metal band.) As they are messengers of Benten, the Japanese goddess of wealth, an encounter with the white snakes is considered good luck.
[Do 01] Underground Kingdom Mikawa Muvalley
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An entire adventure theme park located underground. The premise of the adventure is based on ancient writings found in a mineshaft that leads to questions about whether the world and its history is really as we perceive it to be. The ancient underground kingdom appears to have been inspired by Mayan culture, at least as far as the statues, art, and motifs used. They have a variety of mission quests with tasks you can complete, panning for gold, digging for gemstones, as well as caves and waterfalls, a restaurant, and an onsen.
[Do 02] Tokotoko Train
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A 40-minute sightseeing train that travels through a "Dream Tunnel" that is filled with pictures made of fluorescent glowing stones, to Sozukyo Onsen.
[Buy 01] Naka-dōri
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A covered shopping arcade
[Buy 02] Marine Corps Exchange
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If you're on an extended trip and you miss something from home that you can't find overseas, the Marines know how you feel — there's a store on base with American brands of daily essentials like deodorant and toothpaste, along with electronics, Japanese souvenirs, and CDs/DVDs. However, it's only open to U.S. active duty personnel, reservists, and retired members of all service branches; everyone else will have to make a friend on the base to get in.
[Eat 01] Hangetsuan
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Built in 1869 to serve as an Officer's Club of the Japanese Navy, this restaurant specializes in ayu, a kind of sweet fish that's often caught by the cormorant fishermen of Iwakuni. If you enjoy the food and the atmosphere, ask about overnight lodgings.
[Eat 02] Kohama
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Serves the finest dish of them all, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.
[Drink 01] Bar Manatee Dining
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Good bar with a great menu of snacks, particularly crepes and other desserts.
[Drink 02] Ogasawara Tea Garden
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Have a cup of ocha amid bamboo trees at this popular spot near Kikko Park. It's available iced in the summer.
[Sleep 01] City Hotel Andoh
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Most of the rooms in this business hotel are Western-style, but a few rather nice Japanese-style rooms are available for slightly more. Rooms have Internet access, and there are PCs in the lobby.
[Sleep 02] Shiratame Ryokan
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Traditional Japanese rooms with a great view of the bridge. The seasonal seafood meals are excellent — they can even swipe a page from the Shimonoseki]] chapter and serve fugu with advance notice.
[Sleep 03] Hotel Alpha One Iwakuni
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