祖谷渓の小便小僧

The little boy statue in Iya Valley stands 200 meters high from the valley floor. It was created by sculptor Yoshinori Kawazaki from Tokushima Prefecture, based on the legend that children, workers, and travelers used to urinate around the rock where the statue now stands to test their courage. If you come to Iya Valley, be sure to visit the statue! However, there is a fence around the statue, so it's dangerous to climb over it to touch or take pictures. Please do not attempt to do so.

Kozukuri Ishiwa is built on a 200-meter cliff in the depths of the Iya Valley, and the view from here is spectacular. Looking down, you can see the V-shaped emerald green Iya River flowing, and you can also see cars and buses running. The recommended season is autumn, when the entire valley is colored with colorful autumn leaves from the bottom to the peak, making it a must-visit spot. Be sure to visit and enjoy the breathtaking view.

Did you know that in addition to the "Peeing Boy," there's also a "Peeing Raccoon" in the Iya Valley? At the restaurant and observation deck "Iya Bijin" near the Kazura Bridge, you can find this little guy. Apparently, raccoons are often seen in this area, so it was installed when the shop opened. The sight of the raccoon peeing towards the beautiful scenery is quite cute, and you'll want to take a picture with it. By the way, the soba noodles served on the terrace here are delicious, so be sure to try them when you come to see the Peeing Raccoon!

Near the statues of the peeing boy and raccoon, there is one of Japan's three famous bridges, the Kazurabashi Bridge. If you've come this far, be sure to stop by and see it. The bridge is made of a plant called shirakuchikazura, weighing about 6 tons, and sways with each step someone takes on it. While there are footboards, the gaps are quite wide, and it's a thrilling spot where even men have to walk slowly to cross. The view from the Kazurabashi Bridge is also beautiful, so be sure to cross it and take a look.

After sightseeing around Oboke, why not take a break and enjoy some local cuisine? We recommend "Soya Soba Momiji-tei". This restaurant offers handmade soba noodles passed down through generations in Soya, served in a charming old Japanese-style house. The atmosphere and taste are both superb. Popular dishes include the "Sudachi Soba" made with plenty of sudachi citrus from Tokushima prefecture, and the "Oboke Gozen" set meal which comes with local river fish and tempura. These dishes will surely satisfy your tired body after a day of fun.