Hiroshima, Japan

Kintaikyo Bridge & Iwakuni Castle

Highlights of Iwakuni City Journey to Iwakuni and visit the distinguished landmarks of the Yamaguchi Prefecture. Begin with a drive to the Kintaikyo Bridge, a historic wooden arch bridge spanning the Nishiki River across a series of five stone pillars. In 1950, 300 years after its initial construction, it was destroyed by a typhoon; later, it was painstakingly rebuilt by determined locals using traditional engineering techniques. Next, head to Iwakuni Castle, where you will board a cable car and ascend 650 feet to the summit of Mt. Shiroyama. Built in 1608, the castle’s original structure was torn down by order of Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun. The castle was left to languish for nearly 350 years before its reconstruction in 1962. See its curved walls, black tile roofs and Edo-period architecture, interspersed with Momoyaman influences, before returning to your ship. * Demanding - Physically challenging activities, including extensive walks, hiking, riding, water sports, and high altitude activities. Activities by foot may contain difficult, unpaved surfaces and/or multiple stairs and steep inclines. Total time walking or standing may exceed 3 hours.