Tokushima Prefecture is the closest area from Kansai region in Shikoku Island. Tokushima Prefecture is very famous for Awa Dance (Awa Odori) to be held in the summer. There are other attractions such as Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto Uzushio) and Otsuka Museum of Art. On this page, I will introduce the recommended sights etc. in Tokushima Prefecture.
Table of Contents
Outline of Tokushima
Tokushima Prefecture
Geography
Tokushima Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Japan’s Shikoku Island. Except for the Tokushima Plain in the northern part of the prefecture, it is an area with many mountains. Especially, the Shikoku mountains located in the southern part of the Tokushima Plain are one of the most rugged mountainous areas in western Japan. Many rivers are flowing from these mountains.
Access
Airport
There is Tokushima Airport in Tokushima Prefecture. This airport is located 9 km northeast from the center of Tokushima city which is the center of the Tokushima Plain. At Tokushima Airport, scheduled flights are operated with the following airports.
Tokyo / Haneda
Fukuoka
Sapporo / Shin Chitose = operating in the summer
Railway
Shinkansen is not operated in Tokushima Prefecture.
JR Shikoku operates the following routes within Tokushima Prefecture. By these railways, Tokushima prefecture is connected with other prefectures of Shikoku Island.
Tokushima line
Kotoku line
Naruto line
Mugi line
Dosan line
Buses
To Tokushima station, there are direct buses using Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from Kansai region cities such as Kobe and Osaka. There is also a direct bus from Kansai Airport. Approximate travel time from major cities is as follows.
From Sannomiya Station (Kobe): 1 hour 50 minutes
From Kansai Airport: 2 hours 40 minutes
From Kyoto station: 2 hours 50 minutes
Furthermore, direct buses are running from Tokushima Station to other main stations of Shikoku Island.
From Takamatsu station (Kagawa Prefecture): 1 hour 30 minutes
From Matsuyama shi station (Ehime prefecture): 3 hours 10 minutes
From Kochi Station (Kochi Prefecture): 2 hours 40 minutes
Awa Dance (Awa Odori)
AWA ODORI. One of the traditional Japanese dances at the Obon festival. The largest dance festival in Japan. The City Of Tokushima = shutterstock
Awa Dance (Awa Odori) is one of the most famous summer festivals in Japan. It is held in various parts of Tokushima Prefecture. In Tokushima Prefecture, in preparation for this festival, many people continue practicing a unique dance of two beat. In August, tourists come to Tokushima City from all over the country. With great enthusiasm, people continue dancing Awa Dance.
Regarding Awa Dance, I introduced in an article about Japanese festivals. If you are interested, please drop in the article below.
>> For details of Awa Dance please see this article
Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto Uzushio)
Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto Uzushio) is a large vortex that occurs at the time of high tide and low tide in the Naruto Strait between Awaji Island and Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. You can take a ride and see the Naruto Whirlpools. I have also taken a boat. This ship is worth riding. Looking closely at the Naruto Whirlpools, you surely will be overwhelmed by its power.
The ship traveling around the Naruto Whirlpools is operated from both the Naruto side and the Awaji Island side. The boarding time is about 20 minutes.
>> Please see the official website for details of the ship
Otsuka Museum of Art
Otsuka Museum of Art is a huge museum in Naruto city, Tokushima prefecture. If you go to this museum, you can see duplicates of masterpieces from all over the world. They are made of ceramic, so you can touch them without problems.
If you visit the Naruto Whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, I recommend you to stop by this museum.
I introduced Otsuka Museum of Art in an article about the museum in Japan. If you are interested, please read the following article.
>> For details of Otsuka Museum of Art, please refer to this article
Iya Kazura Bridge
Oku iya double kazura bridge in Tokushima Japan = shutterstock
Map of Kazura Bridge, Iya
The southern part of Tokushima Prefecture has a series of steep mountains. The rivers flowing from the mountains make deep valleys. The Iya Valley is one of them. Here, as seen in the picture above, there is an ancient vine bridge called “Iya Kazura Bridge”.
In this area, it is said that Samurai who lost in battle lived hiding in the past. This bridge was used from that time.
The surrounding of this bridge is covered with a deep forest. From above the bridge you can see a river in the bottom of a deep valley. You will find wild Japan here.
The Iya Kazura Bridge is about an hour by bus from Awa Ikeda Station or Oboke Station of Dosan line.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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