With Mt Bitzan hovering majestically within the west, and the Shinmachi-gawa snaking its means by the bustling capital, Tokushima is a kind of Japanese prefectures you simply have to go to as soon as in your lifetime.
It’s decidedly a kind of “off the overwhelmed monitor” locations, however when you enterprise to this undiscovered space you may be rewarded with all kinds of issues to do and locations to see – from fairly an unbelievable gastronomic expertise, conventional festivals, breathtaking temples, nature, and loads of cultural experiences.
Guests come to Torkushima each August for the famend Awa Odori dance pageant, however the pageant isn’t the one factor you are able to do there! For many who are searching for a real Japanese expertise, listed here are among the prime issues you are able to do in Tokushima!
Tokushima Japan Bucket Listing: Greatest Issues To Do & Points of interest within the Prefecture
1. See an Awa Odori Dance
There is no such thing as a doubt that this is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Tokushimi. Participate in Japan’s largest avenue celebration the place tens of millions of individuals take to the streets to have fun this extremely vibrant conventional pageant.
The Awa Odori is, each, the identify of the favored Tokushima pageant and the standard dance, the motto of the pageant instantly interprets to “We’re fools for dancing, and you’re a idiot for watching, so that you would possibly as properly dance!”. Let’s be trustworthy right here, who wouldn’t wish to take part on a pageant like that?
Courting again over 400 years, the pageant simply rivals Brazil’s Carnival relating to the pulsating energetic vibe, the extravagant costumes and make-up, and the passion of all contributors. Every August, there are official dance phases the place there are “organized” dances, after which there are the streets the place random teams of individuals can simply enterprise off and dance at any time. Younger, outdated, shy, outgoing – everybody joins in and everybody has a singular function within the dance routine.
The place & When: Most occasions occur in the course of the morning, whereas the primary spectacle is between 18:00 and 22:30 from the 12th to the 15th of August.
If you’re not fortunate sufficient to really come in the course of the pageant, then you possibly can all the time go to the museum positioned within the Awa Odori Kaikan the place a dance corridor is positioned and demonstrations of the dance happen all yr lengthy.
The present on the museum had full of life music that had me shifting my really feel in my chair. They requested the viewers to return on stage and study the gejaraku dance and naturally I needed to give it a attempt. It was simple and enjoyable! Plus, they awarded me with the most effective dancer certificates with a Japanese fan because the prize.
2. Go to a Sweets Manufacturing facility
Hallelujah Sweets Kitchen takes you behind the scenes of their scrumptious manufacturing unit to study concerning the historical past and see how a few of their hottest merchandise are made (there are even samples!). However, the most effective half was the fingers on expertise of creating my very own tanuki character. My chocolate coated raccoon was a bit lopsided however I used to be nonetheless awarded a certificates of completion.
3. Cross the Vine Bridges of Iya Valley
West Iya Valley embodies the definition of mystical. This Japanese “hidden” valley is surrounded by misty gorges with clear rivers that run their means by the famend thatch-roofed homes. The factor concerning the valley is that it’s fairly distant, and particularly again then it was used as a hideout spot for refugees and warriors, so they stunning a lot wanted a approach to cross the river. That’s why they created the vine bridges.
It was the one approach to hyperlink the components of Tokushima with the hidden Iya Valley, and people swinging vine bridges stood the take a look at of time. Every day journey and so much of vines have been used to construct these magnificent (albeit fairly unsteady) bridges.
You may cross two of the maintained bridges and be rewarded with unbelievable views as you’re nestled between lush greenery and suspended above the speeding river under.
Photograph by Taku Mori
4. Create a Masterpiece at Ai-No-Yakata Indigo Dying
Whereas a variety of locations in Japan boast their gastronomical delights, Tokushima boasts fairly a singular factor – a colour. Particularly, the colour indigo. It was the primary time for me to really hear a few colour turning into an intangible cultural asset, however indigo dyeing is one among Tokushima’s most famous and revered conventional practices that has been saved alive for a whole bunch of years.
First, you possibly can go to the museum to find out about how the craft began, the method, and the overall historical past of the craft, after which you possibly can truly create a bit your self! I most popular this method over simply shopping for an indigo-colored memento from one of many outlets because it felt much more private to me to really make it. You’ll participate in creating the dye from chopped up indigo leaves, studying find out how to create patterns and find out how to dry it.
On the Aizumicho Historic Museum I used to be capable of make my very own indigo blue handkerchief. We have been capable of choose from a number of completely different patterns, I selected a fairly starburst. They then assisted me in tying rubberbands across the fabric in simply the correct means so after it was dunked within the dye it will have the sample I desired. The completed product was an amazing memento!
5. Watch Puppetry at Awa Jurobe Yashiki
Nestled above the Yoshino River is a famend mansion that secures one among Tokushimi’s most well-known traditions and retains it alive…The Awa Jurobe Yashiki is a Puppet Theater and Museum that will provide you with a glimpse into the town’s tradition and historical past and entertain you on the similar time.
They specialize within the ningyo joruri kind of drama which is, to place it merely, a simple combination of puppetry, music performed by an historical Japanese instrument and narration on prime of that to inform tales and classical tales that date again to the Golden Age and inform attention-grabbing historic tales.
The artwork has now turn into a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage and for good cause! Don’t anticipate your common puppet present there – I’m speaking life-sized puppets managed by three folks directly, cultural tales, ballads and way more.
6. See the Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine Pageant
The Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine pageant was a full of life occasion the place eight transportable shrines have been represented. We listened to the beating of the drums and adopted the parade of shrines down into the water. It was enlightening to have the ability to take part in such a standard a part of the cities tradition! We additionally bought to attempt among the avenue meals, like Takoyaki that are ball formed snacks crammed with octopus.
7. Temple Hop in Tokushima
The 88-Temple Pilgrimage that takes place across the island of Shikoku is a 1400-km route that includes dozens of beautiful temples. Fortunately for you, the primary 23 temples are positioned proper in Tokushima.
My favourite of all of the temples are the Ryozenji (the right place to satisfy pilgrims of their white robes and strolling sticks), Tairyūji and Yakuōji. All three are equally beautiful, however I’d suggest visiting Tairyūji when you solely have time for one.
Ryōzen-ji was a good looking temple the place we have been capable of feed the fish, ring the temple bell and likewise decide a want from the field. Mine was a “lessor luck”, which I left on the temple tied to a tree in hopes that the lessor fortune wouldn’t come true.
The Tairyuji ropeway gave us spectcular 360 diploma views of Anan metropolis in Tokushima as we rode it excessive up within the sky! Plus, on the prime we have been capable of discover the beautiful Tairyuji temple. The temple is #21 on the 88 temple pilgrimage. There have been 117 stairs to climb to get to the primary temple, however value each one. It was beautiful!
Yakuouji is temple quantity 23 on the pilgrimage of 88, the final of the temples within the Tokushima prefecture. Strolling up the stone stairs led us to probably the most lovely view of the town and water under, plus we might see the beautiful Hiwasa citadel from there. The grounds of the temple have been so inexperienced, with moss was rising in every single place, and there have been even a couple of crabs working round!
8. Go to Hiwasa Fortress
This small citadel is positioned proper within the city of Hiwasa which is initially inside Tokushima Prefecture. The Hiwasa Fortress is perched proper into the mountain and is surrounded by thick vegetation, so it acts as an unbelievable backdrop to all of your photos!
Little of the citadel’s earlier stays are there, and there may be some battle over the precise historical past of the citadel, however crucial factor is so that you can try the Fortress and find out about what little is left to be learnt concerning the Hachisuka clan.
9. See the Naruto Whirlpools
Prior to really going to see the Naruto Whirlpools make a cease on the Naruto Ohashi Museum. This interactive museum makes it enjoyable to find out about whirlpools. The most effective half was having the ability to “play the eddy”. On this room you create the phantasm of a whirlpool simply by touching the wall. With every contact a small spherical eddy seems, making the room come alive!
The Naruto Whirlpools occur beneath the beautiful Onaruto Bridge, so one of the best ways to see it’s by sightseeing boat that you could catch at a close-by pier. We took the half hour round-trip experience and anxiously waited for a whirlpool to look. As a result of this pure phenomenon generally is a hit and miss, be affected person and when you don’t see it the primary time, attempt once more!
10. Spot a Sea Turtle at Ohama Seashore.
To this point, there’s not one individual I’ve met that doesn’t love turtles! The Ohama Seashore is without doubt one of the prime 100 seashores in Japan due to its powdery seaside sands, however the primary attraction there may be the plethora of turtles that lay their eggs in the course of the summer season month. You’ll have the ability to se 1000’s of turtles laying their eggs on the seaside.
If you happen to don’t have time to do this, go on the mistaken time, or wish to know extra – go to the Sea Turtle Museum so you may get visible pictures of how the turtles lay their eggs together with enjoyable info and extra.
11. Take the Bizan Ropeway for a Experience
If there’s one factor that symbolizes the capital metropolis of Tokushima, it will be Mt. Bizan. This iconic mountain overlooks all the space and holds nice significance in Japanese Tradition.
You may discover the complete mystical allure of this mountain by taking the Bizan ropeway for a experience. It departs from the fifth ground of the Awa Odori Kaikan and can take you thru sweeping panoramic vistas and beautiful views. On prime of all of that, the Bizan space could be very particularly romantic and has all the time been a preferred spots amongst {couples} – so if you need slightly little bit of romance and beautiful after-dark-sights of Japan, you then’ve come to the correct place!
12. Go to the Omatsugongen Shrine
The Omatsugongen Shrine, often known as the “cat shrine”, is that this wood space that’s brimming with Maneki-neko (cat statues) with some buried deep within the mountains, and a few perched between lush greenery and winter flowers. The shrines every have a specialty to them – that means that every of the shrines you’ll go by makes a speciality of a want or prayer that sure completely different Gods are good at granting.
This shrine, for instance, is ideal when you’re searching for good well being or good outcomes on exams! You should buy some charms from there which are used for well being, cash, security, and way more – however the one factor I discovered that I had no thought about was the truth that we needed to renew them yearly by shopping for a brand new one and returning the outdated one!
The place to Eat/Tokushima Eating places
Tokushima Sampa Ramen is a quick meals place the place you will notice dozens of employees lining the seats aat midday. And there’s a cause that they’re all there—the ramen is scrumptious! A measurement small (which was truly fairly massive) prices about $6.00 and was one of many bests one I ever had. We additionally ordered a plate of gyoza which have been crunchy on the skin, simply how I like them!
Dinner was on the 14th ground of the Grand V Rio Resort, overlooking the boats within the harbor under. It was a flowery dinner with white tableclothes and a good looking view! We have been served rooster with a trio of sauces for dipping. We have been capable of prepare dinner the meat ourselves on a tabletop burner, which added to the expertise.
Lunch at Awa Kappo Isuzu could have been probably the most lovely meal I’ve ever seen with a number of selections. There was eggplant tempure, pumpkin, sea bream fish, sardines and a lot extra. The setting of lunch was aspretty as meals. We sat on tatami mat flooring in our personal personal room!
Dinner at Ichigo was held in a fairly personal room with sliding shōji doorways for further seclusion. There was fairly a number of meals; seared tuna, contemporary shashimi and a young steak that we bought to prepare dinner on our personal private tabletop burner. Plus, I ordered a glass of wine that they served within the cutest little jar with a pop-top lid!
Odori was a farm to desk restaurant that makes a speciality of native rooster dishes. Contained in the restaurant even had slightly retailer part that offered some handmade items. I ordered the standard Oyakodon dish whose identify means “parent-and-child” as a result of it’s made with rooster and egg. It was scrumptious and I can see why it’s a highly regarded dish in Japan!
The place to Sleep/Tokushima Lodges
Resort Solar Ocean
My room at Resort Solar Ocean was so cozy room and had a small lavatory that had every part I wanted. For breakfast there was a alternative of Japanese or European. I selected the latter of the 2 and bought to prepare dinner my very own eggs on a tabletop burner, so I might make them identical to I like them!
Tokushima Grandvrio Resort
The room at GrandVRio Resort was good, however not too formal so you possibly can really really feel snug. The breakfast buffet had a really massive number of each western and Japanese meals. There was one thing for everybody! And the view from the breakfast buffet was overlooking the harbor.
Spend your time having fun with the leafy suburbs of Tokushima, its temples, surroundings, cultural heritages and naturally – its loopy dance custom! Your journey is assured to be completely different than something you’ve skilled
As a result of language barrier, Tokushima will be tough to get round, so it’s best to rent a information or e-book a tour. You could find some right here.
Important Suggestions for Visiting Tokushima
Getting There: Tokushima airport has each day companies to Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo. You may simply test for the most effective fare offers at Skyscanner, which additionally has the choice to decide on ‘least expensive month’ because the departure to seek out the bottom priced dates to fly to your vacation spot. From the airport, you possibly can take a taxi or board a bus to JR Tokushima Station, which places you within the metropolis middle. The bus experience takes 25 minutes and prices ¥430. Bus schedules are synchronized to flight departures and arrivals.
The place to Keep in Tokushima: It’s finest to remain close to the town middle, public transportation or the realm that you may be spending probably the most time in. Resort Sunroute Tokushima and Daiwa Roynet Resort (average) are nice selections positioned near JR Tokushima Station. For one thing on the inexpensive aspect, attempt Visitor Home 017 Reina positioned within the metropolis middle. For slightly extra luxurious, keep at Resort Iya Onsen, a Japanese-style scorching spring lodge within the Iya Valley. Or search some nice offers on motels of your alternative at Reserving.com. If you happen to’re searching for extra of a house ambiance (or are touring with a gaggle of individuals), head over to VRBO that has homes, residences and even only a room for lease in each worth vary.
Getting Round: Renting a automotive is one of the best ways to actually expertise Tokushima Prefecture, and RentalCars.com has some nice offers. Though Uber is obtainable, it’s not very well-known and never probably the most handy relating to touring in Tokushima. Taxis will be a good way of getting across the metropolis, and you may obtain the JapanTaxi app previous to your arrival. It’s also possible to get round Tokushima on foot, lease an electrical bike for ¥1,000 a day, or entry their municipal and native bus companies. There’s additionally a free sightseeing bus known as GuruGuruBus that runs from Awa Odori Kaikan on weekends and nationwide holidays.
Greatest Excursions in Tokushima: You could find among the prime excursions at Get Your Information or Viator, and listed here are among the prime ones:
Insurance coverage: It’s all the time a good suggestion to journey totally insured so you’re protected in case of journey cancellations or medical emergencies. You may try pricing at Travelex Insurance coverage.
Common Adapter: Your American plugged tools will want an adapter. I take advantage of the Celtic Common Adapter, which has introduced me all over the world with no issues.
This put up was offered in a partnership with Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities. All opinions my very own. This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. If you happen to make a purchase order by my hyperlinks, I earn a fee that helps to maintain this weblog working—at no further price to you. You may learn my full disclosure right here.
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