2024 Tokushima Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

Embark on a Boat Adventure to Tokushima Whirlpools

The Tokushima Whirlpools (Naruto Whirlpools) are located in the Naruto Strait of Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan. They are one of the world's three major tidal currents. These spectacular whirlpools form in the Naruto Strait, connecting Tokushima and Awaji Island. During tidal changes, seawater flows rapidly through the narrow strait, creating massive whirlpools with diameters up to 20 meters. The breathtaking sight attracts numerous tourists. The formation of the Tokushima Whirlpools is primarily due to the unique topography of the Naruto Strait and tidal changes. The Naruto Strait serves as a passage between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean, with different tidal times on each side, causing rapid water flow in the strait. When the tide from the Seto Inland Sea rushes into the strait and meets the tide from the Pacific Ocean, it creates a strong water collision. Additionally, the concave shape of the strait's middle section contributes to the formation of these magnificent whirlpools. One of the best ways to view the Tokushima Whirlpools is by taking a sightseeing boat. Visitors can choose between the large sightseeing boat 'Wonder Naruto' or the small underwater sightseeing boat 'AQUA EDDY.' The large sightseeing boat does not require reservations and is suitable for families and groups. It features observation decks that offer different angles to admire the whirlpools. The small underwater sightseeing boat requires advance reservations and has underwater observation windows, allowing visitors to observe the whirlpools up close for a more thrilling experience. The ticket prices for the Tokushima Whirlpools sightseeing boats vary depending on the type of boat and services. The ticket price for the large sightseeing boat 'Wonder Naruto' is approximately 1,800 yen, while the ticket price for the small underwater sightseeing boat 'AQUA EDDY' is approximately 2,400 yen.

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Big Doll Festival Exhibition

In Japan, families with daughters often display Hina dolls at home during the Doll Festival. The 'Big Doll Festival' collects unwanted Hina dolls from all over the country and exhibits them. Starting in 1988, the highlight of the 'Big Doll Festival' is the approximately 8-meter-high 'Hundred-Step Doll Platform' inside the venue, displaying around 30,000 Hina dolls, creating a rare and luxurious scene.

The Old Tokushima Castle Omote Goten Garden

The Old Tokushima Castle Omote Goten Garden, with a history of 400 years, is a Momoyama-style garden that combines both Tsukiyama-sensui (hill and pond) and Karesansui (dry landscape) styles. The garden is characterized by its use of seawater and the extensive use of Tokushima's Awa blue stone. The arrangement of the blue stones is seemingly random yet orderly and stylish. Notably, the central blue stone bridge in the Karesansui garden is broken, and legend has it that it was broken by the first feudal lord Hachisuka Iemasa stepping on it. The garden is conveniently located near Tokushima Station.

Komatsushima Station Park

Komatsushima Station Park consists of five main areas: the SL Railway Memorial Plaza, Tanuki Plaza, Monument Plaza, Product Plaza, and the WANPAKU Corner Children's Playground, as well as the Lifelong Learning Center City Library. These areas are connected by walking paths lined with lush green trees, making it an ideal place for a leisurely family stroll. The highly popular SL Railway Memorial Plaza recreates the appearance of Komatsushima Station on the former Japan National Railways Komatsushima Line, complete with a real steam locomotive. On the other side of the walking path is Tanuki Plaza. Due to local legends, Komatsushima City is adorned with tanuki (raccoon dog) statues, and at the center of Tanuki Plaza stands the world's largest tanuki statue, measuring 5 meters in height, 5 meters in circumference, and weighing 5 tons. When you clap your hands in front of the tanuki statue, water flows down behind it like a waterfall.

SUNROUTE Tokushima Hotel

SUNROUTE Tokushima Hotel is just a 1-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station, making it both convenient and quick to reach. The hotel is divided into the West Wing (Main Building) and the East Wing (New Building). All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and LAN cables. The most luxurious room is the Junior Suite in the East Wing. The hotel features six restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines including Tokushima specialties, Western cuisine, French cuisine, and Chinese cuisine. On the top floor, there is a natural hot spring bath, 'Bizan Onsen,' where you can enjoy the Tokushima night view while soaking in the hot spring.

Shinmachi River and Awa Paper Riverside Park

Located along the Shinmachi River in Tokushima City, this urban oasis offers a serene environment with lush greenery and the soothing sound of flowing water. Taking a deep breath of fresh air while strolling here is truly refreshing. In the morning, there are fountain and waterfall performances, and at night, the bridge and trees are illuminated, creating a very romantic atmosphere. Both daytime and nighttime have their unique charm.

Ōhama Beach

Ōhama Beach is the perfect summer destination. This beautiful beach stretches approximately 500 meters from south to north and is known for its stable environment, making it an ideal spot for sea turtles to lay their eggs. From mid-May to mid-August each year, sea turtles come ashore to nest. Ōhama Beach, famous for its white sands and tropical atmosphere, has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 beaches. The romantic sunsets here are also not to be missed.

CHU CHU CHURROS CAFE

Nearby Tokushima Station, CHU CHU CHURROS CAFE is a gluten-free churros specialty shop that uses 100% rice flour. Their churros are made with Tokushima ingredients and are all homemade. Each order is freshly fried upon request, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior that is irresistible. The 40cm long Loop Churros, paired with cream, feels like eating a cake. The cake is topped with colorful rice crackers and a chocolate x peanut crumble combination, making it a fun and Instagram-worthy treat.

California Table

Adjacent to Naruto Park in Tokushima, the luxury hotel 'Hotel RIDGE' features the French restaurant 'California Table.' Not only can you enjoy views of the Seto Inland Sea from the outdoor seating, but the large floor-to-ceiling windows inside also offer stunning scenery, giving a vacation-like feel. The menu changes with the seasons, and from appetizers to desserts, each dish is presented like a work of art, satisfying both the taste buds and the eyes.

Tokushima Central Park

Tokushima Central Park, a popular autumn foliage spot in Tokushima Prefecture, is about a 10-minute walk from Tokushima Station. This park is full of natural beauty and is not only famous for its autumn leaves but also for its cherry blossoms in spring. Additionally, the park is a historical site of the former Tokushima feudal lord Hachisuka's castle, with the castle gates and moat retaining the atmosphere of that time. During the peak foliage season, the leaves in the park turn red and yellow, creating a dreamy scene.

BOM BOM Burger

BOM BOM Burger is a popular burger specialty store in Tokushima Prefecture. In the relaxed atmosphere of the store, you can enjoy black charcoal buns, juicy burger patties, special sauces, and more, all made in-house. Combined with crispy fresh vegetables, the burgers are even more satisfying. Each burger is over 10cm tall, making them very substantial.

Awa no Iro BIZAN

Just a 1-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station, the conveniently located 'Awa no Iro BIZAN' is situated within HOTEL SUNROUTE Tokushima. In a comfortable setting, it offers seasonal delicacies at affordable prices. Besides Awao chicken, you can also enjoy local Tokushima dishes such as sea bream rice and buckwheat porridge. The chef, well-versed in the characteristics of various ingredients, cooks with care. The steamed Awao chicken and crispy grilled Awao chicken are particularly enticing.

Restaurant Petit Isola

Restaurant Petit Isola offers a panoramic view of the Komatsushima sea from its windows. The restaurant is known for its exquisite cuisine, using local ingredients to create French, Italian, and Japanese dishes. The head chef, who is also a certified nutritionist, ensures that the food is both delicious and healthy. Additionally, the restaurant offers a unique 'tuk-tuk' shuttle service, which is quite rare in Japan and adds to the fun experience.

Awa Odori Hall at Tokushima Station and Ryogoku Bridge

Awa Odori is undoubtedly one of the symbols of Tokushima. In the city of Tokushima, known for Awa Odori, you can find traces of this dance throughout the streets. For example, at the traffic lights in front of JR Tokushima Station, there are stained glass windows depicting Awa Odori dancers, and there are bronze statues of Awa Odori dancers on the mailboxes. The roof of the benches near the 'Awa Odori Hall' is also designed based on the shape of the Awa Odori hats. On the Ryogoku Bridge, which spans the Shinmachi River in Tokushima City, you can find bronze statues of Awa Odori dancers and murals on the railings, all of which show how much the local people cherish this cultural heritage.

Huludao Water Taxi

From an aerial view of Tokushima City, the island surrounded by rivers resembles the shape of a gourd, hence the name 'Huludao'. The sightseeing boat that travels around this island is called the 'Huludao Water Taxi'. During the ride, you can experience the splash of water and the thrill of passing under bridges, making it feel like an amusement park ride while touring 'Water City Tokushima'. The boarding and alighting points are conveniently located around Huludao.

Tokushima Prefectural Museum

Located in Tokushima City, the Tokushima Prefectural Museum is a place where you can learn with joy. It introduces the animals and humans that have lived in Tokushima from the dinosaur era to the present, as well as the nature, history, and culture of Tokushima. In the dinosaur exhibit area, there are large dinosaur fossil specimens, and in the medieval exhibit area, you can color and design your own samurai armor.

NATURE HEALING KAMIYAMA

NATURE HEALING KAMIYAMA combines traditional Japanese earthen walls and wooden structures to create a unique wood smoke aroma that soothes the body and mind. For those who want to get closer to nature, you can enter the campsite area to experience the recently popular tent sauna, enjoy the natural scenery, and play by the river afterwards.

ACARI CAFE

ACARI CAFE uses local ingredients and seafood from Tokushima. The menu offers a wide variety of choices, including fish and meat dishes, as well as desserts such as Wasanbon pudding and Awa Bancha pudding. During the hot summer days, we especially recommend the sudachi somen. This dish features Handa somen topped with a generous amount of Tokushima-grown sudachi, giving it a refreshing appearance. Pair it with Tokushima's fried bamboo shoots and fried shiitake mushrooms for an even better experience.

The Awa Odori Dance Festival in Tokushima City

The Awa Odori Dance Festival held in Tokushima City attracts nearly a million tourists from both Japan and abroad, making it one of the largest festivals in Japan. The male dancers move rhythmically to the music, while the female dancers perform in perfect harmony, creating a spectacular show that leaves the audience in awe. In the heated atmosphere of the venue, both dancers and spectators join in the Awa Odori dance, filling the place with the joyous festival spirit and the unique charm of Tokushima.

Hana Chinese Ramen

Hana Chinese Ramen is located in Tokushima City. It uses carefully selected ingredients produced in Japan to make Chinese ramen. The broth is based on chicken bones and combined with seafood to create a rich soy sauce flavor that is irresistible. The broth does not use any chemical seasonings, relying solely on the flavors extracted over a long period. The shop's decor is as beautiful as a café, and it stays open until midnight.

Dream NARIE・Castle Memorial

The enchanting space of 'Dream NARIE・Castle Memorial' (夢ナリエ・城内メモリアル) is composed of approximately 50,000 LED lights. You can see trees adorned with lights on the streets within about 200 meters of the venue. In addition to cute snowmen, Santa Claus, and reindeer decorations, there is also a 'Blue Tunnel' perfect for photo ops, offering a rich array of colors.

Tokushima Prefectural Modern Art Museum

The Tokushima Modern Art Museum in Tokushima City showcases works related to Tokushima, focusing on modern and contemporary portraits and modern prints. The museum hosts special exhibitions with different themes, allowing visitors to enjoy various artworks at different times. Located amidst nature, the museum features walking paths, making it a charming place to appreciate both nature and art.

Shimonoro Permanent

Shimonoro Permanent is a nature experience facility converted from an abandoned school in Miyoshi City. The most unique features are the 'Valley Sauna' and 'Valley Private Rooms.' The Valley Sauna uses steam infused with natural herbs, and the sauna room is surrounded by nature, helping you recharge both physically and mentally. The 'Valley Private Rooms' are essentially one room per adult, making it an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a quiet and solitary space. The warmth of the wood creates a particularly calming atmosphere.

Kokubunji Temple

Located in Tokushima City, Kokubunji Temple attracts many pilgrimage visitors. The main highlight is undoubtedly the Awa Kokubunji Garden, which was designated as a national scenic spot about 20 years ago. The garden features numerous stones that represent both 'movement' and 'stillness,' offering different perspectives from various angles. Some rocks are taller than a person, creating a breathtaking sight. The main hall, when viewed from the front, exudes a sense of architectural beauty.

Dejima Island

Located in Mugi Town, Tokushima Prefecture, Dejima Island is an inhabited island that can be reached by a 15-minute ferry ride from Mugi Port on the mainland of Shikoku. This nostalgic town has no cars, only bicycles and hand-pulled carts called 'NEKOGURUMA,' allowing visitors to experience a peaceful time. This traditional fishing village was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2017, making it a great place to experience the scenery of old Japan and slow down your pace.

Mount Inugadake

Located above the Kashihara Terraced Rice Fields, Mount Inugadake is a famous moss spot in Tokushima Prefecture. The moss grows most lushly from July to October each year. The most captivating feature is the space created by the vast moss forest, giant rocks, and sunlight, which is very dreamy. The name comes from the 997.6-meter-high peak of Mount Inugadake, which resembled a mountain dog opening its mouth before it collapsed. The nearest parking lot is about 30 minutes from the trailhead, and it takes about an hour and a half to hike to the summit.

The Zuiganji Temple 瑞巌寺

Serene. Peaceful. Blissful. Amazing place to visit to allow your eyes tk feast upon the magnificent landscapes of the Zuiganji Temple. It was not crowded and there were photo opportunities around every corner and at every angle. Lots of history in this place. A very easy place to get to from Matsushima and just 25 minutes by train from Sendai station. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area and are looking for some inner solace.

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