Situated at the southern end of Japan in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, Iwakuni is a beautiful urbanized coastal city which also happens to be home to one of the USA military base. Although you may find family homes and local businesses that are built near the seaside, the ocean located by this city is not recommended for leisure activities as it plays an important role being one of Japan’s sea industrial area. The locals of Iwakuni usually get around the mid-sized city using the provided public transportations such as the trains or buses, cycling or by walking. There are many attractions in Iwakuni are not to be missed, plus it is only a short driving distance away from the cities in the Hiroshima Prefecture.

Airport in Iwakuni

1. Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport

The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport is the only airport in Iwakuni that provides regular commercial service for the city and its surrounding areas. The airport terminal was built in 2012 and since then has been accommodating eight flights daily from the Tokyo Haneda Airport. Currently, all flights to Iwakuni departs from the Tokyo Haneda Airport as there are no direct flights to the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport. However the airport plan to serve international flights to China, South Korea and some other cities within Japan soon. Airlines that cater to Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport include All Nippon Airways (ANA), Philippine Airlines and more.

How to get cheap flights to Iwakuni

Be sure to browse the Traveloka website regularly for best flight fares to Iwakuni. The Traveloka website is very user-friendly. All you are required to do is key in your travel information into the search box, and the search engine will display some flight options for you to choose from. To minimize your search even more, utilize the filter feature. With Traveloka, your travel is always accessible.

When is the best time to fly to Iwakuni?

If you are looking forward to experiencing the well-known blooming season of the cherry blossoms, the best time to visit Iwakuni is from April to May. It is during this spring season when the climate is also delightful and most visitors from various countries take the opportunity to travel to Japan to witness the beautiful scenery of blooming cherry blossoms. Annually on April 29^th, Iwakuni becomes especially lively as locals gather and celebrate The Kintai Bridge Festival. During this festival, locals dress in historic samurai costumes and parade across the majestic Kintai Bridge surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms.

During the summer, from July until August the weather can get hot and extremely muggy. This is why the first Saturday of every August is dedicated to the Nishiki River Water Festival. During this festival, a large fireworks display is conducted and people attend dressed in traditional attires such as kimonos.

If you prefer to travel during the off-peak season, the months of October to November is when autumn takes over changing the colours of the leaves and bringing an enjoyable climate. Whereas during the winter, it seldom snows in Iwakuni. However, the temperatures drop below freezing.

What are the Top 3 Things to do in Iwakuni?

Although Iwakuni is still an underrated travel destination, there are many great attractions to be explored and discovered.

1. Kintai Bridge – Iwakuni is best known for the wooden Kintai Bridge (also known as Kintaikyo Bridge) that span across the Nishiki River. Its unique traditional Japanese architecture design and the beautiful landscape surrounding the area are the main features which make this attraction worthy for any visitors to witness.

2. Kikko Park – Crossing the Kintai Bridge will bring you to Kikko Park. Once there, you will be greeted by a statue of a man by the name of Kikkawa Hiroyoshi who is the third lord of Iwakuni and also the man who initiated the bridge’s construction. Kikko Park is a family-friendly venue which houses various types of floras that provide amazing sceneries. Spend time on the walking paths and visiting the many different water fountains. In the park itself, there are also shrines, former samurai residences and museums featuring historical artifacts that are open to be viewed by visitors.

3. Iwakuni Castle – The Iwakuni Castle situated at the peak of Mount Shiroyama is actually a replica to the original castle that was built in 1608 and was destroyed seven years later. The Iwakuni Castle can be reached by taking the cable car or by walking. The castle area offers quite a number of trails for hiking depending on your personal preference. Overall, it is a relatively easy hike up the mountain and the views are rather breath-taking.