Tokushima Trip Tips

History & culture

Tokushima Prefecture has long been steeped in history and culture.

Historically, people have settled in the area since the Kofun period, and traditional events such as the Awa Imobe Shinto ritual, which is the origin of the Awa Odori dance, have been preserved.

Culturally, the city is famous for traditional crafts such as Awa Odori dance, indigo dyeing, and Otani pottery.

Whirling tides in Naruto

The Naruto whirlpools are one of the three major tidal currents in the world, caused by the difference in tidal currents between the Seto Inland Sea and the Kii Channel. The difference between the ebb and flow of the tides can reach up to 1.5 meters, and the diameter of the whirlpool can be as large as 30 meters.

The whirlpools can be viewed up close by taking a sightseeing boat from Onaruto Bridge. You can also view the whirlpools from the observation platform on the Naruto Kaikyo Bridge.

Iya Kazura Bridge

Located in Iya Village, Tokushima Prefecture, this suspension bridge is woven of shirakuchi-kazura, one of the three most unusual bridges in the world.

Once the only means of transportation between Iya Village and the outside world, it is now a tourist attraction that attracts many visitors, who enjoy the thrill of the ride and the beautiful scenery of Iya.

Mount Kenzan

Tokushima Prefecture’s Mount Kenzan is one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains and the highest peak on Shikoku at 1,955 meters above sea level.

From the summit, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the mountains of Shikoku and the Seto Inland Sea. In addition, the mountain trail is well maintained and even beginners can climb.

Ogama Falls

The Ogama Falls are located in Naga Town, have a drop of approximately 20 meters, and are selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall basin is circular with a diameter of approximately 10 m, and is called “Ogama Falls” because of its cauldron-like shape.

The area around the waterfall is surrounded by rich nature, and hiking trails have been developed.

Awa Sushi

Awa-zushi is a local dish representative of Tokushima Prefecture, and is said to have been invented by a feudal lord of the Tokushima domain during the Edo period.

Unlike ordinary sushi, it is characterized by the use of “live fish vinegar,” which is made by dressing live seafood with vinegar and soy sauce, instead of vinegared rice. We hope you will enjoy the beautiful-looking Awa-zushi, with its mouth-watering flavor of seafood.

Naruto Kintoki

Naruto Kintoki is a sweet potato representative of Tokushima Prefecture. It is characterized by its chestnut-like texture and rich sweetness. Sweets and dishes using Naruto Kintoki can be enjoyed throughout Tokushima Prefecture.

Tokushima Ramen

Tokushima ramen is the local ramen of Tokushima Prefecture, with a pork and soy sauce-based soup combined with a sweet and spicy soy sauce sauce sauce for a rich flavor. Ingredients vary from restaurant to restaurant, but in addition to bamboo shoots, green onions, and bean sprouts, it is usually topped with sweet and spicy seasoned pork belly and a raw egg to mellow the soup.

Tokushima-style okonomiyaki

Tokushima-yaki is a local dish representative of Tokushima Prefecture. It is made by frying a dough made from a mixture of flour, water, salt, and sugar. It is characterized by its crispy surface and fluffy inside.

Ingredients for Tokushima-yaki can be arranged to your liking. Standard ingredients include squid, octopus, cheese, and scallions. Tokushima-yaki with Naruto kintoki is also popular.

A sightseeing boat to see the Naruto whirlpools up close

The Naruto whirlpools, one of the world’s three major tidal currents, occur in the Naruto Straits of Tokushima Prefecture. You can experience the power of the whirlpools up close and personal on a sightseeing boat.

The sightseeing boat passes under the Onaruto Bridge in the Naruto Straits and comes right up to the bottom of the whirlpools of the whirlpools. The power of the whirlpools is beyond description.

Trekking across the Kazura Bridge in Iya

The Iya trekking course begins at “Iya Onsen” at the foot of the bridge and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. On the way to the bridge, you will enjoy the nature and scenery of Iya.

Once you reach the bridge, you can admire the magnificent canyon below. You can also walk on the bridge, which is a thrilling experience.

Kenzan Hiking

Mount Kenzan in Tokushima Prefecture is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan and the highest mountain in Shikoku. The summit offers magnificent views of the Seto Inland Sea and the Shikoku mountain range.

Several hiking trails are available for both beginners and advanced hikers. In addition to hiking, Kenzan also offers a variety of activities such as camping.

Awaodori dance experience

Awa Odori is one of the three major Bon Odori dances in Japan, held every August in Tokushima City. The sight of the dancers in their gorgeous costumes dancing to the sound of gongs and drums while stepping nimbly is a sight to behold.

At the Awa Odori Experience, visitors can learn about the history of Awa Odori and how it is danced, and then actually become a dancer and dance. Visitors can also dress up in dancers’ costumes for a commemorative photo.

Spring

• Cherry blossom viewing: The best time to view cherry blossoms is from late March to early April. Especially, Oboke Gorge and Nagawa Gorge are famous for cherry blossoms with various kinds of cherry trees in full bloom.
• Enjoy strawberry picking: Tokushima Prefecture is blessed with a mild climate and abundant nature, and strawberry cultivation is thriving. During strawberry picking from winter to early summer, visitors can sample a variety of strawberries and taste freshly picked strawberries.

Summer

• Get up close to the Naruto whirlpools on a sightseeing boat: The sightseeing boat allows you to get right under the whirlpools of the Naruto whirlpools, which are breathtakingly powerful. The shape and size of the whirlpools change depending on the time of year and the time of day, but the best time to visit is on a clear day from spring to autumn.
• Watch the Awa Odori Dance: The Awa Odori Dance is one of the three major Bon Odori dances in Japan, held every August in Tokushima City. About 100,000 dancers in gorgeous costumes perform a heroic dance.
• Enjoy trekking across the Iya Kazura Bridge: The Iya trekking course begins at the “Iya Hot Springs” at the foot of the bridge and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can walk on the bridge, which is a thrilling experience.

Autumn

• Enjoy picking chestnuts and autumn leaf peeping: Chestnut picking takes place mainly from late September to late October. There are many farms and parks where you can pick chestnuts. Autumn leaf picking takes place mainly from early November to early December. In Tokushima Prefecture, there are many places famous for their autumn foliage, such as Oboke Gorge and Naga River Gorge.
• Taste Naruto Kintoki: Naruto Kintoki, Tokushima Prefecture’s representative sweet potato, is characterized by its high sugar content and chestnut-like sweetness. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including baked sweet potato, college sweet potato, and sweet potato.

Winter

• Enjoy the hot springs at Naruto Onsen: Naruto Onsen is a sodium chloride spring that is said to relieve fatigue and beautify the skin, and there are a variety of hot spring facilities. Some facilities offer a view of the Naruto whirlpools from the open-air baths.
• Savor Awa Beef Dishes: Awa beef is a black Japanese beef produced in Tokushima Prefecture, characterized by its fine texture and rich flavor. Awa beef can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes such as sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and steak.

Festival

• Awaodori: Awaodori is one of the three major Bon Odori dances in Japan and a representative summer festival of Tokushima Prefecture. It is held every year from August 12 to 15 in the center of Tokushima City and attracts many tourists from home and abroad every year.
• Aizome Festival: Held every June in Tokushima Prefecture, this festival focuses on indigo dyeing, a traditional craft that is representative of Tokushima Prefecture. The festival attracts a large number of visitors by offering indigo-dyeing experiences, exhibits and sales of indigo-dyed works, and a parade.

Traditional crafts

• Ai Dyeing: Tokushima Prefecture is famous for its indigo dyeing. Indigo dyeing is a dyeing technique in which cloth is dyed with a liquid extracted from the leaves of the indigo plant, a natural plant. Indigo dyeing in Tokushima Prefecture is characterized by its deep, vivid blue color.
• Otani ware: Otani ware is a pottery produced in Otani Town, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. It is characterized by its high iron content, rough texture, and metallic luster. The unique texture and durability of Oya-yaki, which tastes better the more it is used, are its charms.

Airplane

It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo to Tokushima Airport.

Shinkansen & Railway

Tokushima is not served by the Shinkansen bullet train, so you must transfer from Okayama Station, where the Shinkansen stops, to the Uzushio limited express train and get off at Tokushima Station. If you are coming from Tokyo, you can usually go there by plane.

Express Bus

It takes about 10 hours from Tokyo to Tokushima Station. Late night buses are available.