Japan Travel Guide! 6 Must-Visit Attractions in Tokushima, Japan

Seasonal Scenery of the Iya Valley

The Iya region in Tokushima is one of Japan's three great hidden valleys, characterized by steep cliffs and rivers that form the dramatic Iya Gorge. From a viewpoint on the mountains, you can see the valley shaped like the Hiragana character "ひ," surrounded by the Iya River. This area showcases different beauty throughout the seasons—from lush greens in summer to vibrant reds in autumn and serene whites in winter. Locals particularly enjoy visiting during the autumn foliage, where the mountains are covered in a tapestry of colors. Just a 5-minute drive from the "ひの字渓谷," you'll find the famous "Peeing Boy" statue, which sits atop a 200-meter cliff and is inspired by a legend about a brave child.

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Iya Valley (ひの字渓谷)
Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Miyoshi City, Ikeda Town Matsuo - Higashi Iya Nagoro
Transport: Take a bus from JR "Ooboke" Station to "Iya Onsen Mae" Station, then a 2-minute walk.
Website: Iya Valley Peeing Boy

Hidden Gem of the Sky: Ochiai Village

About 50 minutes by car from the Iya Gorge, you'll reach the secretive Ochiai Village in East Iya. This village, alongside Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture and Shiiha Village in Miyazaki Prefecture, is recognized as one of Japan's three great hidden villages. Ochiai Village features traditional thatched-roof houses and farmland scattered across steep slopes with a height difference of about 390 meters, resembling a secluded paradise. In 2005, it was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Visitors can stay in a century-old farmhouse converted into a luxurious accommodation, enjoying the stunning valley views and starry skies.

INFO

Ochiai Village
Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Miyoshi City, East Iya Ochiai
Transport: About 35 minutes by car from JR "Ooboke" Station.
Website: Ochiai Village

Scenic Bridges and Autumn Colors: Oku Iya Double Kazurabashi

Located in Tokushima's Miyoshi City, the Kazurabashi（かずら橋）is recognized as one of Japan's three great unique bridges. However, the Oku Iya Double Kazurabashi offers an even more secretive atmosphere. This suspension bridge made from the vines of the hardy kiwifruit is believed to have been built over 800 years ago by the Taira clan for training at their equestrian grounds. The two parallel bridges, known as the "Husband and Wife Bridges," feature a longer 42-meter male bridge and a shorter 22-meter female bridge. Next to the female bridge, there's a "Yazawa" (a basket-like contraption) for crossing the gorge, but it is currently out of service.

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Oku Iya Double Kazurabashi & Yazawa
Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Miyoshi City, East Iya Suga 620
Opening Hours: April to June, September to November: 9 AM - 5 PM; July to August: 8 AM - 6 PM; Winter closed (December to March).
Transport: About 1 hour drive from JR "Ooboke" Station.
Website: Oku Iya Double Kazurabashi

National Scenic Areas: Ooboke and Koboke

The Ooboke and Koboke gorge, stretching about 8 kilometers along the Yoshino River, is known for its steep terrain, earning the nickname "Crossing with Big Steps is Dangerous, Small Steps are Dangerous Too." Formed over two hundred million years of sedimentation and geological changes, it features unique and diverse geological structures and formations, filled with bizarre rock formations. Ooboke has been designated as a national natural monument and is listed as one of Japan's Hidden Hundred. It's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with many coming to enjoy rafting, canyoning, and canoeing.

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Ooboke and Koboke
Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Miyoshi City, Yamashiro Town Shigezumi - Kamina
Transport: JR "Ooboke" Station.
Website: Ooboke and Koboke

One of the World's Three Great Tidal Whirlpools: Naruto Whirlpools

You can't say you've visited Tokushima without experiencing the Naruto Strait! The Naruto Strait, between Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, is known for its powerful whirlpools created by the tidal differences and complex underwater terrain. The whirlpools can reach speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour and are considered one of the world's three great tidal phenomena, alongside the Messina Strait in Italy and the Seymour Narrows in Canada. Visitors can admire the whirlpools from the 450-meter-long glass-floored walkway "Uzu no Michi" on the Great Naruto Bridge or embark on a sightseeing boat to explore the strait.

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Naruto Whirlpools
Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Naruto City, Naruto Town
Transport: Transfer at JR "Naruto" Station to a bus to "Naruto Park" Station, 5-minute walk.
Website: Uzu no Michi | Uzushio Sightseeing Boat

First Museum of Its Kind: Otsuka Museum of Art

Located within Naruto Park in Tokushima Prefecture, the Otsuka Museum of Art is Japan's first museum dedicated to ceramic reproductions of famous artworks. Originally established by Otsuka Pharmaceutical to commemorate its 75th anniversary, the museum features over a thousand carefully selected works, including masterpieces like the "Mona Lisa," "The Last Supper," and "Guernica," all reproduced in their original sizes using advanced ceramic techniques. The colors and textures of these reproductions are designed to last for two thousand years. A visit to the museum is like flipping through the history of Western art.

INFO

Otsuka Museum of Art
Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Naruto City, Naruto Town, Naruto Park
Phone: 088-687-3737
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 5 PM; closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day).
Transport: Transfer at JR "Naruto" Station to a bus to "Otsuka Museum of Art" Station.
Website: Otsuka Museum of Art