A greedy plan to enjoy Tokushima's nature, culture, and cuisine in Higashi-Awa

This two-day, one-night plan will take you to Tokushima, a treasure trove of traditional culture including the Shikoku Pilgrimage, indigo dyeing, and Awa Dance; the Otsuka Museum of Art, a ceramic panel museum that displays approximately 1,000 masterpieces representing the history of Western art, all reproduced in full size on ceramic panels; and the beautiful natural scenery of the southern part of the prefecture and the gourmet food of Tokushima, a treasure trove of food.

A sample itinerary for a two-day, one-night trip to Tokushima Prefecture

10:00 Tairyuji Temple (Tairyuji Ropeway)

Located near the summit of Mount Tairyuji, 600m above sea level, this renowned temple is known as "Koyasan of the West" and has the status of a semi-special head temple of the Shingon sect. It is the 21st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi in 792 (Enryaku 11). To visit Tairyuji, we recommend taking the Tairyuji Ropeway. The magnificent view that unfolds below and the journey over the 602m mountain are a series of thrills and thrills. From the summit of Mount Tairyuji, you can enjoy the view of the Kii Peninsula. (Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

12:00 Hiwasa Turtle Museum Caretta

This is a rare museum dedicated to sea turtles, where you can encounter many sea turtles, including a cute "baby turtle tank" for 0-3 year olds, the "Floating Sea Turtle Museum" where rare sea turtles swim, and the "Large Turtle Pool" where you can feed snacks to the sea turtles swimming leisurely outdoors. Inside the museum, you can see high-definition footage of egg-laying behavior, and there is also an observation deck with a panoramic view of Ohama Beach. (Tour takes about 30 minutes)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

13:00 Awaodori chicken specialty restaurant Odori

Odori is a restaurant in Minamicho, Tokushima Prefecture, where you can eat Awaodori chicken and Kaifu vegetables. It opened in February 2015 as a direct-from-farm restaurant specializing in Awaodori chicken, a local chicken from Tokushima Prefecture. With the aim of promoting Minamicho, the restaurant offers a variety of menu items, including those that actively use locally produced ingredients and those aimed at protecting the sea turtles, a tourist resource in Minamicho. Original products such as dressings made with local farmers are also available for purchase in the online shop. (Tour takes approximately 1 hour)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

14:30 Underwater sightseeing boat Blue Marine

The underwater sightseeing boat Blue Marine takes about 45 minutes to circle Takegashima Bay, which is part of the Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park. Within the bay is an underwater park designated by the Ministry of the Environment, where coral grows in colonies and tropical fish dance. From the observation room at the bottom of the Blue Marine, you can enjoy a close-up look at the ocean off Shibushi, and the sight of tropical fish swimming among the coral makes you feel like you're taking an underwater stroll. (The tour takes about an hour.)

Approximately 120 minutes by car

17:30 Tokushima Tokutoku Terminal

There is a wide selection of Tokushima's specialties, including freshly harvested produce, seafood, and other seasonal delicacies, as well as famous sweets and crafts. There is also a tourist information corner that provides useful information on tourist spots in the prefecture. (Time required: approx. 30 minutes)