Deep in the mountains of Tokushima's Iya Valley lay many scenes of natural beauty. The Kurozo Marshlands (黒沢湿原) are definitely among these, and should not be missed. About an hour's drive from Kazura Bridge, this area of the Iya Valley has the widest roads and thus the easiest access. The parking lot is free and does not close and there are plenty of clean restroom facilities and picnic tables nearby. There is a boardwalk and a few parallel paths that run along the length of the marsh. The paths split off to several locations which include Tabinoshiri Waterfall, an observation tower, some wooded trails, a bird-watching building, and more. The path to the waterfall also leads to Matsuogawa Onsen (松尾川温泉), a bath house fed by a hot spring, which is about an hour or two hike downhill from the marsh. This area teems with wildlife, and the sound of birdsong is never far. With excellent facilities, it is a great place to spend a day. For those looking to stay overnight, Matsuogawa has accommodations for very reasonable prices.
- 1 min read
Kurozo Marshlands
A great place to spend a quiet day in the Iya Valley
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![After the closeness of the forested mountain roads, the horizons open wide revealing the surrounding natural beauty](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162285/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162285.jpg)
After the closeness of the forested mountain roads, the horizons open wide revealing the surrounding natural beauty (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![Kurozo Marshlands from atop the lookout tower](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162293/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162293.jpg)
Kurozo Marshlands from atop the lookout tower (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![Facilities near the parking lot](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162280/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162280.jpg)
Facilities near the parking lot (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![There is plenty of parking](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162281/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162281.jpg)
There is plenty of parking (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![You can have a nice picnic here](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162282/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162282.jpg)
You can have a nice picnic here (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![The road from the parking lot to the trailhead](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162283/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162283.jpg)
The road from the parking lot to the trailhead (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![The marshlands themselves would be unhikable if not for the boardwalks](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162284/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162284.jpg)
The marshlands themselves would be unhikable if not for the boardwalks (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![A small dirt trail leads off from the park into several less-maintained forest trails](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162286/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162286.jpg)
A small dirt trail leads off from the park into several less-maintained forest trails (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![Two paths lead up a hill to the lookout tower](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162287/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162287.jpg)
Two paths lead up a hill to the lookout tower (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![When one hears the word "marshlands", they probably don't imagine this kind of beauty](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162288/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162288.jpg)
When one hears the word "marshlands", they probably don't imagine this kind of beauty (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![Lilly pads and long grass](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162289/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162289.jpg)
Lilly pads and long grass (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![The nearby "Tabinoshiri Waterfall"](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162290/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162290.jpg)
The nearby "Tabinoshiri Waterfall" (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![The boardwalks are wide, well maintained, and make navigating the park very easy](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162291/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162291.jpg)
The boardwalks are wide, well maintained, and make navigating the park very easy (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![If you feel like walking up a big hill, you can be rewarded with a great view from this lookout tower](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162292/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162292.jpg)
If you feel like walking up a big hill, you can be rewarded with a great view from this lookout tower (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![The middle of the marshlands](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162294/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162294.jpg)
The middle of the marshlands (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
![The drive to and from Kurozo makes for a lot of great photo opportunities as well](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/33292-162295/1000/tokushima-kurozo-marshlands-162295.jpg)
The drive to and from Kurozo makes for a lot of great photo opportunities as well (Photo: Bret de Colebi)
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