- Attractions by Region -
Overwhelming whirlpools, a hidden vine bridge, and a passionate dance festival. A journey that lets you feel the very essence of the old province of Awa.
Naruto Whirlpools
Colossal whirlpools created by the intense tidal currents of the Naruto Strait.
From sightseeing boats or the "Uzu no Michi" walkway suspended under the bridge, you can experience their power up close with all five senses.
Iya no Kazurabashi Vine Bridge
One of Japan's three most unusual bridges, woven together from hardy vines of the Actinidia arguta plant.
With every step the bridge creaks and sways, and the wild scenery of Iya Valley spreads out beneath your feet, making for a thrilling experience.
Awa Odori Dance
A traditional performing art with over 400 years of history.
At the Awa Odori Kaikan in Tokushima City, you can feel the heat of the real thing all year round through live performances and hands-on dance experiences.
One of the world's largest whirlpools, roaring as it spins — an overwhelming natural phenomenon.
Will you watch from a boat below, or from the bridge above?
The powerful tides of the Naruto Strait create whirlpools that can reach up to 20 meters in diameter — among the largest in the world. Take a sightseeing boat to approach the whirlpools from the water, or walk out along the "Uzu no Michi" promenade under the Great Naruto Bridge to peer down through glass panels about 45 meters above the sea.
The whirlpools are at their most dynamic during spring tide around the full moon and new moon. Checking the tide table in advance is the secret to making the most of your visit. If you miss the timing, you may find nothing but calm, gentle water instead…!
A V-shaped gorge carved over 200 million years, best enjoyed from a leisurely sightseeing boat.
Sculpted cliff faces that take your breath away.
Formed as the powerful Yoshino River carved through metamorphic rocks, this spectacular gorge stretches for about 8 km. The names "Oboke" and "Koboke" mean "big steps are dangerous" and "small steps are still dangerous" — a nod to the steep slopes and sheer cliffs.
◆ Highlights: From the sightseeing boat gliding over the emerald-green water, you can gaze up at rock formations that look like carefully sculpted works of art.
◆ Fun fact: The nearby roadside station is dotted with yokai (spirit) statues — this area is known as the birthplace of many yokai legends.
◆ Access: About a 20-minute walk from JR Oboke Station to the sightseeing boat pier.
A suspension bridge that sways with every step — a thrilling crossing high above the gorge.
To cross or not to cross — that is the question.
Woven from about six tons of hardy vine (shirakuchi-kazura), this is a nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property and one of Japan's three most unusual bridges. Legend says that it was built by fleeing Heike warriors so they could cut it down at any time to escape their pursuers.
Through the gaps between the planks you can see straight down about 14 meters to the gorge below — it's a real test of your courage. The bridge is one-way only, so there is no turning back. The sense of relief when you finally reach the other side feels like you've cleared a theme park attraction. The bridge is completely rebuilt every three years, so you can always enjoy a "fresh" dose of fear.
The hall where you can feel the heat of Awa Odori all year round — for both dancers and spectators.
Awa Odori, anytime, for anyone!
This facility lets you enjoy Tokushima's 400-year-old Awa Odori dance regardless of the season. At daytime performances you can watch famous troupes (ren) on stage, and the audience participation corner where you can actually dance is extremely popular.
◆ Highlights: From the ropeway station on the 5th floor you can ride up Mount Bizan and take in a panoramic view of Tokushima City.
◆ Fun fact: Embrace the spirit of "If you're going to be a fool, you might as well dance!" and jump into the dance — your trip memories will instantly become ten times more vivid.
◆ Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station. Located at the foot of Mount Bizan.
A ceramic art museum that recreates over 1,000 masterpieces from around the world at full scale.
Take a world art tour in a single day.
This unique museum exhibits Western masterpieces from 26 countries, reproduced using special techniques onto large ceramic boards. The full viewing route stretches about 4 km, and it is also known as one of Japan's most expensive museums in terms of admission fee.
The recreated Sistina Hall, with its ceiling and wall paintings reproduced as a complete space, is simply breathtaking. Photography is allowed almost everywhere, so you can even take a commemorative shot "with" the Mona Lisa. Just be warned — the museum is so vast that many visitors find themselves getting pleasantly lost.
The starting point of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage — where every journey begins.
From here, a 1,400 km journey begins.
Ryozenji is Temple No.1 of the 88 sacred sites on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), it is where many pilgrims pray for safety before setting off on their long journey around the island.
◆ Highlights: The "Enmusubi Kannon" statue beside the main hall is believed to bestow good relationships of all kinds — not only romance.
◆ Fun fact: The temple shop sells full sets of pilgrimage gear, from white robes and sedge hats to staffs. It is very tempting to "start from the outfit" and fully look the part.
◆ Access: About 5 minutes by car from the Itano IC on the Takamatsu Expressway.
Lavish firewalls that tell the story of wealthy merchants in the Edo period.
The origin of the Japanese phrase "having no udatsu" lies here.
An "udatsu" is a firewall built on the boundary between neighboring houses. In the Edo period, prosperous merchants competed to build more elaborate udatsu, and from this came the expression "udatsu ga agaranai" (literally "one's udatsu doesn't rise"), meaning someone who cannot get ahead in life.
Along roughly 430 meters of townscape here, traditional merchant houses with impressive udatsu line the street, reflecting the wealth once brought by the indigo trade. Many old houses have been renovated into cafes and craft shops, making it a delightful area for a slow stroll.
The symbol of Tokushima City, said to look like an eyebrow from every direction.
A natural observatory with a sweeping view of Tokushima.
Rising 290 meters in the center of Tokushima City, Mount Bizan can be reached in about six minutes by ropeway from the Awa Odori Kaikan. From the summit observatory, you can see the cityscape, the Yoshino River, and even as far as Awaji Island on a clear day.
◆ Highlights: The night view has been certified as part of the "Japan Nightscape Heritage" and is truly stunning.
◆ Fun fact: The mountain has been celebrated in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest anthology of poetry, and is a classic local date spot. The fences at the summit are covered with couples' padlocks symbolizing their love.
◆ Access: Board the ropeway at the mountain base station on the 5th floor of the Awa Odori Kaikan.
A seaside temple famed for warding off misfortune, with vivid vermilion buildings.
If you're in a critical age year, this is the place to go.
Yakuoji is Temple No.23 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, and is widely known throughout Japan as a temple dedicated to warding off bad luck. There are special stone stairways for men's and women's critical ages, as well as for the age of 60, and it is said that placing a one-yen coin on each step as you climb will help your misfortune fall away.
From the Yugito pagoda at the top of the steps, you can enjoy a sweeping view of the picturesque Hiwasa harbor. Since you will need a lot of coins for offerings along the way, it's smart to do some coin-changing at the bank before you visit.
A gigantic natural artwork carved out of the earth over an immense span of time.
Like a miniature version of the Grand Canyon in the U.S.!
These strange formations were created as strata formed about 1.3 million years ago were eroded by rain and wind. They are considered one of the world's three great earth pillar sites and are designated a National Natural Monument. At night, the pillars are illuminated, creating a fantastical atmosphere completely different from the daytime view.
Walking paths allow you to get up close and feel the scale with your own eyes. From a geological perspective this is an extremely rare sight, but to someone who doesn't know, it may just look like "a big wall of dirt".
Ride a lift for easy access to a highland paradise where hidden treasures are said to lie.
The summit feels like a Japanese garden — and there are even legends of hidden treasures.
Mount Tsurugi is the second highest peak in western Japan and a sacred mountain worshipped since ancient times. A chairlift carries you close to the summit in about 15 minutes, so even beginners can enjoy hiking in comfort.
The broad bamboo grass field near the top is known as "Heike no Baba" (the Heike riding ground) and looks like a vast natural garden above the clouds. There is also a grand legend that the lost Ark of the Covenant from Israel is hidden somewhere here. Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you.
Fall in love with adorable baby turtles while learning about sea turtle ecology.
Right next to Ohama Beach, a cradle for sea turtles.
This museum stands beside Ohama Beach, one of Japan's best-known nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles. Inside, turtles of all sizes — from hatchlings to full-grown adults — swim gracefully in the tanks, providing endless moments of healing.
◆ Highlights: In the large outdoor pool, you may be lucky enough to watch or even take part in feeding time.
◆ Fun fact: Sea turtles are surprisingly picky eaters, with clear likes and dislikes. You can really feel the keepers' daily efforts.
◆ Access: About a 20-minute walk from JR Hiwasa Station. It is also located close to Yakuoji Temple.
A zoo and amusement park in one — a dream destination for families to enjoy all day.
Come and meet Pororo the polar bear!
This large complex combines a zoo and an amusement park on a spacious site. Watching the polar bear plunge into the water from up close is truly impressive.
The zoo uses behavioral exhibits to show animals acting as naturally as possible, and the red pandas are so cute that no one can resist smiling. From the Ferris wheel in the amusement area, you can enjoy a pleasant view of Tokushima. When your legs grow tired, taking a slow spin in the Ferris wheel is the perfect break.
Ride a ropeway through the sky to this mountaintop temple known as the "Koya of the West".
You'll feel like a flying pilgrim — the ropeway is a must-ride.
Located at the 618-meter summit of Mount Tairyuji, this grand temple is sometimes called the "Koya of the West". The ropeway that connects the base to the summit offers both thrilling heights and spectacular views as it crosses over mountains and rivers.
◆ Highlights: Within the grounds lies Shashingadake, a rocky outcrop where Kobo Daishi is said to have practiced austerities, now famous as a spiritual power spot.
◆ Fun fact: If you are afraid of heights, focus on the distant scenery instead of looking down — it helps more than you might expect.
◆ Access: Board the ropeway at "Washi no Sato" along National Route 195.
A temple with a legendary "White Water Well" said to heal body and mind.
Cleanse yourself with sacred water said to cure all illnesses.
Byodoji is famous for the "Shirimizu no Ido" (White Water Well), which Kobo Daishi is said to have discovered and from which a miraculous healing spring began to flow. Even today, many visitors come to draw water and pray for good health.
◆ Highlights: The colorful dragon painted on the ceiling of the main hall appears to change expression depending on the angle from which you look up at it.
◆ Fun fact: There is a rare "mirror pond" in the temple grounds, and it is said that looking at your reflection there will purify your heart. The question is — are you ready to face your true self?
◆ Access: About 15 minutes by car from Tairyuji. Many pilgrims visit both temples in one trip.
Relax in an open-air bath with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean after a long drive.
The open-air bath here offers the best seats for viewing the Pacific Ocean.
Located along National Route 55, this roadside station also functions as a hotel. Its greatest charm is the open-air hot spring bath overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean below.
Soaking in the water while watching the sun rise over the horizon is pure bliss. It feels so good that you may find yourself forgetting all about your next destination. This facility sits near the southernmost tip of Tokushima Prefecture, with the border to Kochi Prefecture just a short drive away.
One of Japan's three great Bon dances — four intense days that set Tokushima's summer ablaze.
Tokushima spends the whole year waiting for these four days.
Every year from August 12th to 15th, all of Tokushima City turns into one enormous stage for Awa Odori, a festival with over 400 years of history. With the famous chant, "The dancers are fools, the watchers are fools, if you're a fool anyway, you might as well dance!", around 100,000 dancers parade through the streets.
At the paid viewing areas you can enjoy the highly polished performances of renowned troupes, while at free stages around town anyone can join a temporary "niwaka ren" dance group and jump into the circle. During these days, Tokushima becomes one of the hottest and liveliest places in all of Japan.
Exhibits related to the Hachisuka clan, lords of Tokushima — perfect for learning the region's history.
Peek into the everyday life of feudal lords.
Standing on the site of Tokushima Castle, once the residence of the Hachisuka clan, this museum is now part of Tokushima Central Park. The castle buildings themselves were demolished in the Meiji era, but the impressive stone walls remain.
◆ Highlights: The former Omote Goten garden of Tokushima Castle, a gorgeous Momoyama-style dry landscape garden, has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
◆ Fun fact: Though the castle tower is gone, walking along the remaining stone walls and moats still excites any castle enthusiast.
◆ Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station. Visiting together with Mount Bizan makes for a well-rounded day of sightseeing.
The highest-ranking shrine in the old province of Awa, known for traffic safety and warding off misfortune.
Feel the power of a thousand-year-old sacred tree.
Oasahiko Shrine is the ichinomiya — the most prestigious shrine — of the former Awa Province, long revered by local people. Its main deity is associated with hemp, paper mulberry and other plants used in traditional textiles and paper-making.
Deep within the grounds stands a sacred camphor tree said to be a thousand years old, radiating an overwhelming presence. Gently touch the trunk and feel the energy of the earth. Nearby you can also visit the "German Bridge", built by German prisoners of war during World War I, making this area ideal for a combined history walk. The shrine is also famous for traffic safety prayers, and many people come here to have their new cars purified.
Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, famous for its roaring spray and sound.
A natural shower of negative ions.
Todoroki Falls is regarded as the largest waterfall in Shikoku, and as its name "todoroki" (roar) suggests, the sound of the water crashing down echoes throughout the valley. Above the main falls lie multiple secondary cascades such as Futatsunotaki (Double Falls) and Meotodaki (Husband and Wife Falls), and together they are known as the "Todoroki Ninety-nine Falls".
◆ Highlights: You can walk right up close to the basin and feel the spray on your skin as you experience the full power of the waterfall.
◆ Fun fact: The falls are also used for ascetic waterfall training. It looks like it would take considerable resolve to try it yourself.
◆ Access: Some parts of the road leading there are narrow, so please drive carefully.
On early-summer nights, the air fills with fireflies, glowing like a sky full of stars at your feet.
This is not CG — it's real-life light magic.
The Misato district is known as Tokushima's premier spot for viewing fireflies. From late May to mid-June, the "Misato Firefly Festival" is held each year.
Countless fireflies dance over the river and fields, their lights reflecting on the water as the stars shine above — a scene so beautiful it leaves you speechless. The magical atmosphere is so unreal that you may feel like you've wandered into a fantasy story. The setting is so romantic that confessions of love might have a higher success rate here — though we can't make any guarantees.
Two vine bridges standing quietly in deep mountain wilderness, known as the "male" and "female" bridges.
Try the human-powered ropeway "Yaen" as well.
Deep in the mountains beyond the main Iya area, the Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges stand side by side, sometimes called the "married couple bridges". Compared to the more famous Iya no Kazurabashi, this area is usually less crowded, allowing you to soak up an even stronger sense of remote mountain solitude.
Nearby you'll also find "Yaen", a human-powered ropeway gondola that crosses the gorge. You pull yourself along by hauling on a rope, so whether you make it to the other side depends entirely on your arm strength and fitness that day.
A local specialty where freshly boiled noodles are served in a large wooden tub for everyone to share.
The more people around the tub, the better it tastes.
This hearty dish is said to have originated when temple carpenters boiled udon noodles by the river and ate them dipped in broth made from river fish. Today, piping-hot noodles are served in a big wooden tub, and family and friends gather around to dig in together — that's the true charm of tarai udon.
◆ Highlights: Specialized restaurants cluster around Donari in Awa City, each offering their own carefully crafted dipping broth.
◆ Fun fact: The "secret" to the flavor is ginger — not ginger ale, but plenty of freshly grated ginger as a topping is the local style.
◆ Access: Many famous shops are located near the Donari IC on the Tokushima Expressway.
A smooth, silky hot spring known as a "beauty bath", nestled beside a clear river.
A magic bath that leaves your skin silky-smooth.
About a 40-minute drive from central Tokushima City, this hot spring sits along the Ayukui River in a lush natural setting. The alkaline waters are renowned for their silky feel, and many visitors rave about how smooth their skin feels after bathing.
The attached hotel "Shikinosato & Iyashi no Yu" also offers day-use bathing. The open-air baths, surrounded by greenery, offer a wonderful sense of openness, helping both body and mind fully unwind. Just be careful not to doze off in the tub — it's that relaxing.
The easternmost cape of Shikoku, where sunrises over the open sea are breathtakingly beautiful.
The first place in Shikoku to greet the morning sun.
Jutting out into the Kii Channel, Gamoda Cape marks the easternmost point of Shikoku. Its white lighthouse has been selected as one of Japan's 50 most beautiful lighthouses. On clear days, you can see not only the Naruto Strait and Awaji Island but even as far as Wakayama Prefecture across the water.
◆ Highlights: On New Year's Day the cape is crowded with people coming to watch the first sunrise of the year.
◆ Fun fact: Locals say the lighthouse's light looks heart-shaped, and the cape is gaining popularity as a romantic power spot.
◆ Access: From the parking lot, it is about a 10-minute walk up a somewhat steep path to the lighthouse.
A scenic stretch of the Naka River dotted with strange rocks and boulders, perfect for river activities.
A paradise for canoeing and SUP — get ready to be splashed.
Along about 8 km of the middle reaches of the Naka River, the Washiki Line area is known for its beautiful valley scenery. Sometimes called the "Arashiyama of Awa", it delights visitors with striking rock formations and forested slopes reflected in the clear water.
◆ Highlights: Cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green and river play in summer, and brilliant foliage in autumn — every season has its own charm.
◆ Fun fact: Many stretches of the river here are calm and easy to navigate, making this a great place for canoe and SUP beginners. Just don't get overconfident, or you might end up taking an unexpected dip in the crystal-clear water.
◆ Access: Close to the roadside station "Washi no Sato" and easy to combine with a visit to Tairyuji Temple.
Create a one-of-a-kind piece through a hands-on glass blowing experience.
Blow your artistic passion into molten glass.
Located in a quiet, nature-rich area just outside central Tokushima City, this glass studio offers authentic glass blowing experiences under the guidance of professional artists.
You will shape 1,200°C molten glass by blowing into a pipe and using tools to form it — a serious and absorbing process. Even if your piece ends up a bit quirky, enjoying a drink from a glass you made yourself makes it taste that much better. Finished works must cool slowly, so you will pick them up the next day or have them shipped to you later.
A historic hot spring associated with Kobo Daishi, overlooking the clear waters of the Katsuura River.
A famed moon-viewing spot where you can refresh body and soul.
Legend has it that Kobo Daishi discovered this hot spring after seeing an injured white egret bathing in the waters and healing. As its name suggests, Tsukigatani ("Moon Valley") has long been known as a place to admire the moon.
◆ Highlights: The open-air baths along the clear Katsuura River let you soak while listening to the gentle murmur of the stream.
◆ Fun fact: In the past, this was a sanatorium for loggers working in the mountains. It seems ideal for curing modern "digital fatigue" as well.
◆ Access: Located in Kamikatsu Town, famous for its "zero-waste" initiatives, making it easy to combine hot springs with visits to other unique local spots.
A holy place for cat lovers, dedicated to one of Japan's three major cat deities and lined with 10,000 maneki-neko figures.
For success and good fortune, leave it to this cat deity.
According to legend, the beloved cat of Omatsu, the wife of a village headman who died with a deep grudge, turned into a vengeful spirit and avenged her mistress's wrongful death. Omatsu Daigongen enshrines this story, and the grounds are packed with maneki-neko (beckoning cat) statues donated by people whose wishes have come true.
The shrine is believed to grant success in all kinds of competitions, so exam takers and job seekers come here in droves. There's also a playful saying that "cats never fall", making the shrine popular with people facing important tests. It is a paradise for cat lovers, though those with cat allergies may want to take care.
A unique temple where you worship by peeking at the main statue through small holes in the wall.
How well can you see? This temple puts your eyes to the test.
A special temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Jigenji is renowned for blessings related to eye health. The way you worship here is truly unique: you peer at the statue of Kobo Daishi through one of three holes cut into the wall of the main hall.
Because the inside is dark, it takes a little time for your eyes to adjust and for the statue to become visible, making you feel as if your eyesight is being measured. The sense of relief when you finally see the figure is unforgettable. And if you don't manage to see it… it's probably best not to dwell on that too much.