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Province · Shikoku
Tokushima
The Iya Valley and vine bridges, the Oboke Gorge, the Naruto whirlpools, the Awa Odori dance and the first of Shikoku’s 88 temples.
In the photo: Iya Valley, Tokushima.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Tokushima
Tokushima occupies eastern Shikoku, facing the Kii Channel, with high mountains inland and the Yoshino River running through the prefecture. It is known for Awa indigo, used to dye fabrics, and for sudachi, a small acidic citrus served with fish and noodles.
In August, Tokushima city fills with groups of Awa Odori dancers who parade through the streets to the sound of shamisen, drums and flutes, and visitors can join the dance. Outside the festival, the Awa Odori Kaikan offers performances year-round. The city is also home to Mount Bizan, which has a ropeway and views over the bay.
In the Naruto Strait, between Shikoku and Awaji Island, tidal currents form whirlpools that can be seen from boats or from a glass walkway under the Onaruto Bridge. Nearby, the Otsuka Museum of Art displays life-size ceramic reproductions of Western paintings. Naruto is also the location of Ryozen-ji, the first of the 88 temples on the Shikoku pilgrimage, a circuit of about 1,200 km around the island.
In the interior, the Iya Valley is one of Japan’s most remote places, with villages clinging to slopes, vine bridges called kazurabashi, and thatched-roof houses. The Oboke and Koboke gorges on the Yoshino River are explored by boat or on rafting trips. Sacred Mount Tsurugi has hiking trails and a ropeway.
When to go
Awa Odori takes place in mid-August. The Naruto whirlpools are larger on spring tides, near full and new moons; tide tables indicate the best times. Rafting in Oboke runs from spring through early autumn. The Iya Valley turns colorful in November. In winter, mountain roads can have ice.
Getting there
Express buses connect Osaka and Kobe with Tokushima via Awaji Island in about 2½ hours. Tokushima Airport (TKS) has flights from Tokyo. By train, Tokushima is about 1 hour from Takamatsu. For Iya, the Nanpu limited express runs from Okayama to Oboke Station in about 2 hours, and buses continue to the valley; a car makes access easier. Naruto is about 1 hour by bus from Tokushima.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Tokushima
When are the Naruto whirlpools largest?
On spring tides, near the full and new moons, during the flood and ebb tide periods. Boats and the bridge walkway publish daily timetables with the best viewing times.
How do I get to the Iya Valley?
By train to Oboke Station and by bus to the Iya vine bridge, a total of about 3 hours from Okayama. Buses are infrequent; many visitors rent a car.
When does Awa Odori take place?
In mid-August, for four nights, in central Tokushima. There are paid-stage parades and street parades, and some groups welcome visitors after a brief explanation of the steps.
Where does the 88-temple pilgrimage start?
At Ryozen-ji in Naruto, the first temple, where pilgrims buy the hat, the white vest and the stamp book. Walking the complete circuit around the island takes weeks, and many do it in sections by bus or by car.
Beyond the guide
