5 Must-Visit Spots in Tokushima: From Famous Sights to Hidden Gems

Spanning between Awaji City in Hyogo Prefecture and Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture, the Naruto Strait is home to one of the top three most powerful tidal currents on Earth. Caused by the dramatic shifts in tide and the strait’s complex underwater terrain, the renowned Naruto Whirlpools can reach up to 30 meters in diameter during peak spring and autumn tides, making them some of the largest in the world.

There are several sightseeing boats available to witness this natural spectacle. The Wonder Naruto is a large-capacity ferry that gives passengers a view of the swirling water from high above. The smaller boat, Aqua Eddy, must be booked in advance and allows visitors to see the whirlpools from an underwater observation room. For a more thrilling experience, an smaller boat - the Uzushio Kisen - takes guests so close to the whirlpools that they might even get splashed!

If you make your way to the Uzu no Michi, a pedestrian walkway built inside the Onaruto Bridge, don’t forget to visit the observatory. You can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the whirlpools from 45 meters above the water through a glass floor right under your feet. There are various displays with guidance in five languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), and Korean. Simple guided tours are also offered in English and Chinese upon request.

Hearing the roar of the whirlpools and watching them spin with so much force that water sprays out is truly awe-inspiring. It might even make you feel as though you're being drawn into the current yourself! It’s best to check the viewing schedule in advance to catch them in action.

“Awa Ningyo Joruri” is a traditional puppet performance art that has been passed down for over 400 years in Tokushima Prefecture. It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

At Tokushima Prefectural Awa Jurobe Yashiki in Kawauchi Town, Tokushima City, there’s a puppet theater that performs an Awa Ningyo Joruri show every day. Visitors can also learn about the puppeteering art through exhibits of traditional Awa Deko puppets used for the show and other related materials. On top of the daily show, special performances are offered on certain days, so be sure to check the play schedule before your visit.

The shows held here are not only powerful but immersive thanks to the collaboration between the narrator, who recites the story and the characters’ emotional states; the shamisen (a Japanese string instrument) player, who provides the background music and creates the atmosphere; and the expressive puppets, which require the coordinated movements of three puppeteers. An LED panel above the stage provides subtitles in both Japanese and English, making it easier for the viewers to follow along. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating art of traditional Japanese puppet theater!

Aizumi Town in the northeastern area of Tokushima Prefecture is home to the history museum Ai no Yakata, where visitors can experience dyeing fabric with Awa indigo, a long-established industry of Tokushima. It was here that the Okumura family flourished as successful indigo merchants. Their former mansion, the Okumura Family Residence, is now registered as a Cultural Property. The museum not only showcases a stunning collection of beautiful indigo-dyed works but also provides an in-depth look into history of indigo as well as the intricate process of creating sukumo (fermented indigo).

The high-quality sukumo produced in Tokushima is a raw material used in indigo dyeing and branded as “Awa indigo.” The beauty of this indigo is its ability to produce a wide range of stunning shades, from pale to deep blue.

A popular hands-on activity at the museum is the indigo-dyeing workshop, where visitors can dye handkerchiefs and towels purchased onsite. If you book in advance, you can even bring your own textiles to dye during the off-season. If you need English assistance, make sure to ask when you make your reservation.

Why not experience the depth and beauty of this facet of Tokushima’s heritage? You’ll even get to take a part of it home with you as a souvenir!

In Tokushima City sits Awa Odori Kaikan Hall, a facility that lets visitors enjoy the globally renowned traditional Awa Odori dance year-round. At the Awa Odori Hall, visitors can watch the 400-year-old dance on stage during their daytime and evening shows. You’ll even have the opportunity to join in with the dancers and learn a few steps yourself! The rhythmic, unified movements of the Awa Odori create a joyful sense of harmony.

There’s also the Tokushima Prefectural Souvenir and Tourism Plaza, a fantastic place to browse an array of local specialties to take home, like beautiful indigo-dyed items, traditional Otani wares, Awa Odori merchandise, and so on.

From the fifth floor of Awa Odori Kaikan Hall, you’ll have direct access to the Bizan Ropeway, which will take you to the summit of Mt. Bizan in just six scenic minutes. The observation deck at the top offers a panoramic view of the city, with the Yoshino River flowing into the ocean. On clear days, you can see as far as the Onaruto Bridge and even parts of Awaji Island and Wakayama in the distance. This sweeping vista is the perfect spot to wrap up your visit and is truly worth the trip up the mountain.

Mima umbrellas were once a major local industry of Mima City, where over 200 manufacturers flourished, producing nearly 900,000 umbrellas annually during the industry’s peak.

The process of making a Japanese umbrella involves assembling the bamboo frame, dyeing the Japanese washi paper, applying oil, and then adding decorations and lacquer to finish.

At this workshop run by the only remaining Japanese umbrella manufacturer in the Shikoku region, you can receive hands-on instruction from experienced artisans to add the finishing touches to Japanese umbrellas. Once completed, the umbrella is all yours to take home as a souvenir.

Japanese umbrellas are beloved for the beautiful way light filters through the washi paper and their elegant silhouette when folded. They are filled with Japanese aesthetic and craftsmanship, and you’re sure to enjoy their elegance with every use.

If you wish for English guidance during the workshop, let them know at the time of booking.

The workshop is in Waki, Mima City - a beautiful townscape where the entire area is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. As you stroll through the nostalgic streets, you’ll see historic buildings that remind you of Mima’s glory days. Take a photo of the retro backdrop which goes perfectly together with your newly made Mima umbrella to capture the atmosphere of the moment.

Tokushima is filled with attractions that truly capture the hearts of visitors. Why not explore the areas that interest you most and create a special and memorable journey of your own?