Ochiai Village (East Iya Terraced Houses)
A cluster of 300-year-old farmhouses cascading down a near-vertical mountain slope — the steepest inhabited village in Japan. Many houses have been restored as guesthouses.
Half–full day (stay is ideal)
Free
Always accessible; viewpoint best in daylight; the village is inhabited — visit respectfully
May–November (roads close in snow)
2 hour drive from Tokushima; taxi from Oboke station
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The village is listed on Japan's '100 Most Beautiful Villages' — the slope is truly vertiginous
- 2
Several farmhouses serve as minshuku (guesthouses) with mountain vegetable cuisine
- 3
The East Iya vine bridge is 30 min walk from the village
Local Tips
Ochiai sits on a near-vertical slope at 390m — from the viewpoint above, the traditional thatched and slate-roofed houses cascading down the hillside look like a living museum. The village is actually inhabited, making it a rare genuine experience rather than a reconstruction. The 45-minute walk down from the viewpoint through the village is the highlight.
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