Spanning the clear waters of the Nishiki River, and with the refreshing green Mt.Shiroyama at its back, the graceful five-arched Kintai Bridge seem to step right out of histry. This graceful bridge, which since its construction about three hundred yers ago has proudly symbolized IWAKUNI csstle town of the Sanyo District, is one of three unique bridges in japan.It is 210 meters long, 5 meters wide, and was built whithout the use of a single nail, employing only clamps, and wire. Kintai Bridge was constructed in 1673(Enpo 1)by a fedudal lord of the time, HIROYOSHI KIKKAWA, to remedy the transportation problem the people faced every time the Nishiki River flooded. The structural idea for the bridge is said to have come from Saruhashi Bridge in Otuki, Yamanashi Prefecture, or from the stories a Chinese priest of the MingDynasty who settled in Japan told about the arch-type, stone bridge of China.

Iwakuni Castle was constructed in 1608(Keicho 13) by Hiroie Kikkawa. Only seven years after completion of the castle, it was destroyed in keeping with a requlation of the Tokugawa Goverment which said that one country shouldn't have more one castle. The present castle was reconstructed in 1962. Armor and arms of the Kikkawa family are displayed from the 1st fioor to the 3rd floor and the view from the observatory on the 4th floor is superb. The castle, called Momoyama Nanban-zukuri, is unusal in Japan and is considered an important castle both artistically and historically.

In 1963 a ropeway was opened as a of transportation to Iwakuni Castle at the top of the mountain.The view from the ropeway is splended. Kikko Park, Nishiki River, islands of the Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku Island can be seen.

This is the front gate of the Kagawa family's residence. The Kagawas were the prinipal retaners of the feudal lords of Iwakuni. The Kagawa family's residence is a typical samurai house and has been designanted an important cultural property in Yamaguchi prefecture.

White snakes around Imazu, Iwakuni, which are very rate in the world, are designated as a rate species. White snakes which are meek and do not harm people have red eyes like rubies and glossy white bodies. They are somewhat mysterious. People worship white snakes as messengers of the Goddess Benten and as deities of prosperty and good luck.

Momijidani Park consists of garden of several old temples, and is noted for its. Rokkaku-tei is a hexagonal building beside a pond, and is beautiful reflecting its figure on a pond.