Tokushima徳島県

View powerful whirlpools with diameters of up to 20 meters. The Awa-odori Dance attracts over 1.3 million spectators.

Situated in the eastern part of Shikoku, Tokushima is surrounded by mountains topping 1,000 meters on three sides. The prefecture is blessed with sightseeing spots highlighted by magnificent nature, such as the Naruto area (which is part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park), the Tokushima area (which has Bisan, the symbol of Tokushima), the Mt. Tsurugi-san Iya Valley area, and the Anan coastal area.

The main attractions in the Naruto area are the whirlpools with diameters of up to 20 meters at the spring tide, along with the Otsuka International Museum, which boasts one of the largest exhibition space in Japan. You will also see a number of 'Ohenro,' pilgrims in white clothing, as the area is home to Ryozen-ji, the first temple on the 88-temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku.

In the Tokushima area, the largest event of the prefecture, the Awa-odori Dance, is held from 12 to 15 August every year, attracting more than 1.3 million spectators. During the dance festival, the enlivening sounds of 'shamisens' (Japanese guitar), gongs, and drums bring the area into the fun atmosphere of this traditional dance. If you wish to experience the Awa-odori Dance out of season, you can visit the Awa-odori Hall, which is open throughout the year.

The Mt. Tsurugi-san Iya Valley area, which features beautiful green mountains, attracts many sightseers all year round, with Oboke and Koboke boasting the magnificence and beauty of ravines and the Iya Valley reckoned among the three unexplored regions of Japan. What makes the Anan coastal area attractive, on the other hand, is the deep blue sea that contains the Japan Current. There are many spots, from bathing places to campsites, surfing, and diving spots on the shoreline, where many people come to enjoy their summer.