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Tokushima
Iya Vine Bridge
Location:
Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture
Wild hardy kiwi vines (approximately 5 tons) are used to make this vine bridge, which is 45m long, 2m wide, and 14m above the water. In olden times, it was used as an important part of the local road in this deep valley. Nationally Designated Important Folk Cultural Asset.
Naruto Whirlpools
Location:
Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture
The difference in sea level in the Naruto Strait when the tide ebbs and flows creates intense currents, including whirlpools that can reach up to 20 meters in diameter. One of the three big tidal currents in the world, the deafening roar of the whirlpools and the swirling spectacle is magnificent to see. The whirlpools appear for about one and a half hours before and after low and high tide every day.
Awa Odori Dance Festival
Location:
All over the prefecture, centered on Tokushima City
Tokushima's summer festival Awa Odori is world-class. One of the three major Bon Odori festivals in Japan, it has approximately 400 years of history. Female dancers wear yukata and kimono, covering their heads in a woven straw hat, while dancing in beautiful formation with grace and fluidity.
Kito Cedar Log Riding Tournament (Naka)
Location:
Naka, Naka District, Tokushima Prefecture
Cedar logs cut from the forest are floated downstream in this contest that allows participants to experience a traditional skill. The Nakagawa River, so clear that sweetfish can be seen swimming on the river bottom from the bridge, is where log riders called "Tobi" ride down the river balanced on just one log. It is fun just watching the local experts perform difficult maneuvers. Practice events are held in June and July.
Mugi Oshima Island Thousand-year Coral (Mugi)
Location:
Mugi, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture
In a cove of the largest uninhabited island in Tokushima, Mugi Oshima, there is a porites lutea coral that has been living for over a thousand years, estimated to be one of the largest in the world. It is 10m tall, 30m wide, and its presence is like a forest inside the ocean. Mugi Oshima island itself, surrounded by brightly colored fish and coral, is known as the Galapagos of Shikoku. See Club Noah Mugi for diving excursions.
Himegami Festival (Nakamura, Mugi)
Location:
Mugi, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture
This traditional ceremony based on a tale of tragic love features a strange rock enshrined deep in Mugi Oshima, called "Himegami". Participants pray for a good catch and safety on the sea, and after prayers are offered to the 3m long, 1.5m diameter male symbol, it is put on a fishing boat and paraded to Oshima Island 7.5km off the coast. At night, the town is lively with a fireworks display.
Haha River Firefly Festival (Kaiyo)
Location:
Kaiyo, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture
The lights of little fairies flutter above the clear firefly river. The lights reflect in the dark river's surface, creating a magical scene. During the Firefly Festival, ride a riverboat on the Haha River to see the fireflies up close.
Dogama is a famous place in the naturally beautiful Ichiu Gorge, location of the clear-flowing Sadamitsu River. The three giant potholes were created by erosion in the hard green schist. The potholes are called Ichinokama, Ninokama, and Sannokama, and they create a tunnel, which creates a rare sight not seen elsewhere. Prefecturally Designated Natural Monument.
Wakimachi Udatsu Streetscape
Location:
Mima City, Tokushima Prefecture
From the Edo period to the Meiji period, "Awa Ai" indigo was traded here, in this streetscape full of merchant houses. On the second floor between buildings, extended walls called "udatsu" were built. At first they were built to prevent fires from spreading, but they quickly became a point of ornamental competition between houses, giving rise to the idiom "udatsu ga agaranai" meaning someone who can't get ahead in the world. In 1988, it was one of 28 places designated as an Important Group of Traditional Buildings.
Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges
Location:
Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture
Approximately 800 years ago, the Heike clan used Mt. Tsurugi as a place to train their horses, and these vine bridges were used to travel there. Now it is a passage to the Oku-Iya Kazura Vine Bridge Campground. There are two bridges side-by-side, so they are nicknamed the "Man's Bridge and Women's Bridge", or the "Husband and Wife Bridge". Beside the Women's Bridge is a man-powered ropeway that crosses the river, called a "yaen".
Crystalline schist was worn away by the Yoshinogawa River rapids over 200 million years to create the gorge, which looks as though it was carved out of marble. Every winter, the snow-covered gorge looks even more magical than usual. Enjoy stove-equipped boats on a winter cruise.
Iya Valley Peeing Boy
Location:
Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture
In the deep, V-shaped gorge, the emerald green Iya River flows, and looking down from above is sure to make your head spin. In the autumn, the mountain is full of fall leaves from the bottom of the valley to the peaks, and visitors peek out at the sight from cars and buses. On a cliff overlooking the Iya River, a rock left from building the road sticks out, and on top of the rock, a statue of a peeing boy stands, as a physical representation of anecdotes about local children and travelers testing their courage.
Local Cuisine in an Old Folk House
Location:
Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture
Togenkyo Iya's mountain hamlet folk home stay. Even in the remote Iya Valley, this spot is even more remote. Folk homes in Ochiai, a picturesque hamlet in Higashi-iya were renovated and opened as accommodation facilities in 2012. Guests can chose to enjoy simple local family cuisine as an option. The smiles of local motherly hosts will surely help guests forget the hustle and bustle of city life.
Mt. Tsurugi is listed among Japan's 100 most famous mountains. Though it has a height of 1955m, there is a chairlift from the beginning of the hiking trail to the center of the hiking trail, and it is a comparatively easy mountain to climb, making it popular. On a clear day, the view from the top of the mountain can reach to Kansai, Kishu, and the Seto Inland Sea.
Sea of Clouds (Hachigo-giri in Yamashiro)
Location:
Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture
In tall mountains, the cloud sea phenomenon happens, but in the case of Yamashiro, the terrain and climate means that places where there is a river, the Hachigo-giri effect occurs. Of course, with any riverbank, in a steep mountainous area, cultivated fields reach up to the sky, but when the seasons are changing from spring to summer and again from summer to fall and winter, in periods when the temperature changes are extreme, the hachigo-giri fog rises up off the river. In the chilly morning air, climb up to the topmost parts of the mountains and experience unspeakable beauty and stillness.
Hiwasa Chelonian Museum Caretta (Ohama Beach, Minami, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture)
Location:
Minami, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture
One of the few sea turtle museums in the world. See living sea turtles in a giant aquarium! Events are sometimes held to release baby sea turtles hatched in the museum into the sea. A valuable place to get close to sea turtles.
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