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Anmitsu-kan (Kawano Mericlone)

Anmitsu-kan (Kawano Mericlone)

Anmitsu-kan in Mima City is a flower exhibition and experience facility themed around Cymbidium orchids, a rarity worldwide. The sight of vibrant orchids, mainly unique varieties developed by Kawano Mericlone, blooming year-round is spectacular. The interior features a sophisticated design blending Japanese and Western styles, providing an elegant time enveloped in floral scents. Beyond viewing flowers, you can enjoy shopping for cosmetics and sweets using Cymbidium extract. The brilliant spatial presentation, like an "anmitsu" dessert utilizing the orchids' beauty, is popular among women and couples as a photogenic spot. Located near the traditional "Udatsu Townscape," it's a healing hub to...

Tokushima
Food
Activities
Spring
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Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park

Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park

The Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park features a magnificent coastline of about 100 km stretching from Anan City, Tokushima, to Cape Muroto, Kochi. Its greatest charm is the diverse ocean beauty, from dynamic rias coastlines and sea-sculpted unusual rocks to highly transparent seas with coral reefs. It serves as a field for various ocean activities, including Ohama Beach—a sea turtle nesting site—calm Mitoko Bay, and surfing meccas. Coastal areas also feature temples associated with Kobo Daishi Kukai, offering a sense of local culture where nature and faith are integrated. Serving as an excellent driving course, this vast area allows you to...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
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Oboke Sightseeing Cruise

Oboke Sightseeing Cruise

The Oboke Sightseeing Cruise is an activity where you leisurely tour the "Oboke Gorge," carved out by the Yoshino River's torrents over hundreds of millions of years, while listening to a boatman's guide. The biggest highlight is the crystalline schist rock walls designated as a National Natural Monument. You can admire the rugged yet beautiful rock surfaces that look like sculptures up close, and their power is overwhelming. The seasonal beauty of cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter reflects on the river surface, providing a different moving experience in every season....

Tokushima
Sightseeing
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Nature
Spring
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Heike Yashiki Folk Museum

Heike Yashiki Folk Museum

The "Heike Yashiki Folk Museum" in Nishi-Iya Village is a facility that conveys the legend of the Heike clan, who fled to this hidden region after losing the Genpei War. Utilizing the Edo-period Nishioka residence, a former local influential family, its atmospheric thatched roof and heavy gate impart a sense of history. The museum exhibits armor, swords, old documents belonging to the Heike clan, and daily tools that tell of the harsh mountain life of the time. In the garden stands a centuries-old pine tree, quietly watching over the tragic history of the refugees. In an environment surrounded by deep...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
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Ochiai Village

Ochiai Village in Higashi-Iya, Miyoshi City, is a rural landscape where traditional houses built from the mid-Edo to Meiji periods are scattered along a steep mountain slope. The maximum elevation difference reaches about 390 meters, and the wisdom and effort of ancestors who built stone walls to secure farmland and housing are designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. From the observation point on the opposite shore, you may see a fantastical sight of the village floating in a sea of clouds. In recent years, renovated old houses have become accommodations, allowing visitors to actually...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
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Hi-no-ji Valley

Hi-no-ji Valley

The "Hi-no-ji Valley" in Iya Gorge is a stunning spot named because the Iya River curves sharply around the mountain, resembling the Japanese character "ひ" (hi) from above. The artistic beauty of the deep cliffs and the shimmering emerald green river showcases the power of nature. During the autumn foliage season, the entire valley turns fiery shades of red and yellow, creating a breathtaking contrast with the blue of the river. An observation deck provides a safe view of this dynamic landscape, making it a popular photo spot symbolizing the hidden region of Iya. Surrounded by deep forests and rocky...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Cape Kamoda

Cape Kamoda in Anan City is the easternmost point of Shikoku, offering an overwhelming panorama of the Pacific Ocean. A walking path leads to the pure white lighthouse at the tip of the cape. Climbing the somewhat steep stairs reveals a horizon that makes you feel the roundness of the Earth and a powerful seascape with dancing spray. A stone monument called "Poem of the Waves," shaped like a heart, is a popular photo spot where visitors look at the horizon through its center. The area is so pristine it serves as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, maintaining...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
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Tairyuji Temple

Tairyuji Temple

Located at the summit of a mountain (approx. 600m altitude) in Anan City, Tairyuji Temple is the 21st temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and a majestic site known as the "Koyasan of the West." It is a sacred place where Kobo Daishi (Kukai) practiced in his youth. The grounds feature giant cedars centuries old, enveloped in divine silence. For access, the Tairyuji Ropeway—the longest in western Japan—is recommended. The 10-minute aerial walk crosses mountains and the Naka River, offering a panorama of Tokushima's mountain range. With historic wooden structures, exquisite carvings, and the Kobo Daishi statue sitting on a cliff,...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
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Awa Earth Pillars

Awa Earth Pillars

The "Awa Earth Pillars" in Awa City are rare natural formations of giant, curtain-like pillars of earth created by rainwater erosion over vast periods. They are geologically precious, ranked as one of the "World's Three Great Earth Pillars" alongside the Rocky Mountains in the USA and the Tyrol region in Italy. Stepping inside, the ruggedly carved earth sculptures tower above, creating a mysterious landscape that feels like wandering into another planet. You can overlook the entire scene from the observatory, and at night, they transform into an even more fantastical appearance with illumination. This dynamic and powerful art created by...

Tokushima
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Takegashima Marine Park

Takegashima Marine Park

Takegashima Marine Park in Kaiyo Town, at the southernmost tip of Tokushima, is truly an ocean paradise with vibrant coral reefs spreading through incredibly transparent sea. The main enjoyment here is an underwater walk on the sightseeing boat "Blue Marine." Through the windows at the bottom of the boat, you can observe coral colonies and tropical fish swimming as if you were diving. Kayaking and SUP activities are also flourishing, and rowing over corals visible through the water surface is exceptionally moving. The contrast between the surrounding cliff greenery and the deep Pacific blue is also beautiful and full of...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
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Roadside Station Oboke

Roadside Station Oboke

Located at the entrance to the spectacular Oboke Gorge, "Roadside Station Oboke" is a convenient hub concentrating tourism, gourmet food, and experiences. The building offers a panoramic view of the beautiful Yoshino River flow, and the attached restaurant allows you to fully savor mountain delicacies like local gibier dishes and specialty Iya Soba. It houses the "Yokai House" and the "Lapis Oboke" stone museum where you can learn about Earth's history, offering substantial exhibits beyond a mere rest area. The sales corner for fresh local vegetables and specialties is also perfect for souvenir shopping. Spending time looking at Oboke's dynamic...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
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Activities
Spring
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Yokai House

The "Yokai House" (within Roadside Station Oboke) in Yamashiro-cho, Miyoshi City, is a unique facility themed around yokai (monster) legends passed down in this region since ancient times. This area has many sheer cliffs and deep valleys, and it's said many yokai stories were born to warn children against approaching dangerous places. The interior exhibits over 100 humorous yet somewhat eerie yokai figures handmade by locals, providing a fun way to learn about the deep mountain culture of Tokushima. Known as the legendary birthplace of the famous yokai "Konaki-jiji," experiencing this alongside the rugged natural environment allows visitors to feel...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
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Awa Washi Traditional Industry Hall Shop

Awa Washi Traditional Industry Hall Shop

The "Awa Washi Traditional Industry Hall" in Yoshinogawa City is a hub for communicating the charm of Tokushima's traditional "Awa Washi" paper, which boasts over 1,300 years of history. Here, you can observe skilled craftsmen carefully making paper one by one and, most attractively, try the "Hand-making Experience" to create your own postcards or coasters. Awa Washi is strong, tear-resistant, and characterized by a unique warm texture, used in artworks and interiors worldwide. The museum shop features stationery and miscellaneous goods made of washi, and beautiful indigo-dyed washi products, perfect for finding Japanese souvenirs. It is a creative spot where...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
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Caretta Sea Turtle Museum

Caretta Sea Turtle Museum

Caretta Sea Turtle Museum in Minami Town (Hiwasa) is a rare facility in the world dedicated to sea turtles. Located right in front of Ohama Beach, a famous nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, it allows visitors to observe turtles of various ages, from cute hatchlings to giant sea turtles over 100 years old. Through dynamic outdoor pools and academic exhibits on ecology, you can learn about the mystery of their lives and the importance of marine conservation. It is a heartwarming spot where children and adults can feel the miracle of life and the richness of the ocean through...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
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Mt. Bizan

Mt. Bizan, towering in the center of Tokushima City, is a symbol of the city and was even composed in the Man'yoshu poetry. It was named because it appears shaped like an "eyebrow" (bi) from any direction. You can reach the summit in about 6 minutes by ropeway while enjoying an aerial walk, and from the observatory, a magnificent panorama stretches across Tokushima City, Awaji Island on clear days, and as far as Wakayama. The night view is especially praised as one of Shikoku's best, with the twinkling city lights appearing very romantic. The summit park features a kaleidoscope-like monument...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Naruto Whirlpools

Naruto Whirlpools

The "Naruto Whirlpools" appearing in the Naruto Strait are a world-class natural phenomenon caused by the tidal difference between the Seto Inland Sea and the Kii Channel. During spring and autumn spring tides, whirlpool diameters can reach 20 meters, and the sight of seawater violently swirling with a roaring sound is spectacular. To experience this natural wonder, it's recommended to look 45 meters straight down from the "Uzu-no-Michi" maritime walkway built into the Great Naruto Bridge, or get close to the whirlpools on a sightseeing boat. The powerful energy created by the tides and the dynamism of the sea splashing...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Winter

Mitoko Bay

Mitoko Bay in Kaiyo Town is a beautiful inlet where the dynamic Pacific waves are blocked by islands, creating a mirror-like calm sea surface. Green small islands are dotted within the bay, and the scenery woven by the highly transparent sea, white rocks, and green pines is so spectacular it's called the "Matsushima of Southern Tokushima." It is also popular as a field for sea kayaking and SUP; rowing across the calm surface through a labyrinth of islands provides exceptional exhilaration. At dusk, the silhouettes of the islands are dyed by the sunset, creating a romantic and mysterious atmosphere. For...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Peeing Boy Statue of Iya Valley

Peeing Boy Statue of Iya Valley

The statue of the "Peeing Boy," standing on a rock jutting out over a 200-meter precipice in the Iya Valley, is a very impactful landscape representing Tokushima. It was created based on an anecdote that local children and travelers once tested their courage from this spot. Below flows the emerald green shimmering Iya River; the contrast between the deep, steep valley beauty and the small standing statue is a sight you won't forget. During the autumn foliage season, the entire valley turns vibrant red and yellow, bringing its beauty to a peak. Though the spot might make your legs tremble,...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Oku-Iya Niju Kazurabashi Bridges

Oku-Iya Niju Kazurabashi Bridges

The "Oku-Iya Niju Kazurabashi Bridges," located in the deepest part of Miyoshi City in Higashi-Iya, is a spot full of hidden region charm with two bridges, the "Man Bridge" and "Woman Bridge," spanning side-by-side. Legend says the Heike clan built them to travel to their horse training grounds; the bridges woven from plants shake with every step, providing a thrill as the stream is visible through gaps underfoot. Compared to the famous "Iya Kazurabashi," there are fewer tourists, allowing for a quieter enjoyment of deep natural silence. Nearby is a unique ride called "Yaen" (Wild Monkey), where you pull a...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shikoku Alpine Botanical Garden

Shikoku Alpine Botanical Garden

Shikoku Alpine Botanical Garden Gakunin-no-Mori, located near Mt. Tsurugi in Tsurugi Town at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, is a paradise for rare alpine plants. The garden owner spent many years clearing private land to protect and cultivate plants endemic to Shikoku and endangered species, with lovely flowers blooming from spring to autumn. The colonies of "Himeshaga" (Iris gracilipes) in early summer are particularly breathtaking. The grounds also feature a campsite and accommodation, allowing for views of star-filled skies at night and fantastical seas of clouds in the morning. Strolling while listening to birdsong in an environment close to...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Todoroki Kujyu-kyu Waterfalls

Todoroki Kujyu-kyu Waterfalls

The "Todoroki Kujyu-kyu Waterfalls," hidden deep in the mountains of Kaiyo Town, is one of Tokushima's premier water spots featuring a series of large and small falls, including the main waterfall. The "Todoroki Main Fall" in particular drops violently from a sheer vertical rock wall, overwhelming visitors with its power and the sacred air surrounding it. There is also "Todoroki Shrine" dedicated to the fall, protected since ancient times as a site for water deity worship. Upstream from the main fall, a course allows you to tour various unique waterfalls while walking along a promenade, enjoying forest bathing rich in...

Tokushima
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hagawa River

The Hagawa River flowing through Kaiyo Town is known as a highly transparent clear stream and is a fantastical river famous as a habitat for Genji fireflies, especially dancing on early summer nights. The clear water surface, revealing the riverbed, reflects the surrounding lush greenery, creating idyllic Satoyama scenery. Every June, the "Hagawa Firefly Festival" is held, where the experience of riding a Takase boat to appreciate fireflies faintly glowing in the dark is as beautiful as being in a fairy tale. The river is also home to the endangered giant mottled eel, testifying to its ecological richness. Spending time...

Tokushima
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Osato Matsubara Beach

Osato Matsubara Beach

Osato Matsubara Beach in Kaiyo Town is a scenic spot featuring a beautiful 4-km white sand beach and a magnificent pine grove of centuries-old black pines. Selected as one of "Japan's 100 Best White Sand and Green Pine Landscapes," the contrast between the dynamic Pacific waves crashing ashore and the quiet pine forest fascinates visitors. This place is also known as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, and its rich natural environment is carefully protected. Strolling through the pine grove, which feels like a green tunnel, while listening to the rhythmic sound of waves, you will feel deeply refreshed...

Tokushima
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Naruto City

Naruto City, located at the gateway to Shikoku, is a city of sea and history famous for the "Naruto Whirlpools," one of the world's three great currents. Experiences like the "Uzu-no-Michi" walkway looking straight down at the whirlpools from the Onaruto Bridge and powerful sightseeing boat trips provide moving moments to feel nature's wonders firsthand. Additionally, the "Otsuka Museum of Art," which reproduces world-famous paintings on ceramic boards, boasts Japan's largest exhibition space and is a must-see for art fans. It is also known as a sacred place where the Shikoku Pilgrimage begins at "Ryozenji Temple (No. 1)." Furthermore, gourmet...

Tokushima
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