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

9:00 Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage No. 1, Ryozenji Temple

Affectionately known as "Ichiban-san," this is the starting point of the pilgrimage to the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku. The main hall features countless lanterns, an impressive painting of a dragon on the ceiling, and within the grounds is the Matchmaking Kannon. The shop also sells a full set of pilgrimage supplies, including pilgrim's attire, votive tablets, prayer books, and walking sticks. At Monzen Ichibangai in front of the mountain gate, we also recommend the freshly baked rice cakes "Awakutta," which can be eaten at the tea ceremony corner. (Approximately 30 minutes required)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

10:00 Aizumi Town History Museum Ai no Yakata

Japan Blue, or indigo, is a traditional Japanese color that has been adopted for the emblem of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tokushima Prefecture is a major producer of sukumo (Awa indigo), the dye used to create that color. At the Aizumicho History Museum Indigo House in Aizumicho, you can learn about Awa indigo and even experience indigo dyeing to make your own original handkerchiefs and scarves. You can also bring your own underwear or shirts for the indigo dyeing experience. Indigo is said to have deodorizing and antibacterial properties, and is gentle on the skin. Why not take this opportunity to try out indigo dyeing? (Approximately 1 hour required)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

11:30 JF Kitanada Fish Market

The "JF Kitanada Sakanaichi" run by the Kitanada Fisheries Cooperative Association sells local fish caught off the coast of Kitanada in Naruto City and dried fish made by fishermen, and at the "Uzushio Fisheries Cooperative Association Restaurant" located on the premises, you can enjoy seasonal Naruto fish dishes such as wild Naruto sea bream and sudachi yellowtail (winter only) sashimi. (Tour takes about 1 hour)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

13:00 Otsuka Museum of Art

This is a ceramic panel art museum that displays approximately 1,000 masterpieces representing the history of Western art from ancient times to the present, reproduced in full size on ceramic panels. Boasting one of the largest permanent exhibition spaces in Japan, the museum is home to masterpieces that you may have seen in art books, such as Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," and Picasso's "Guernica." There are also scheduled guided tours and audio guides to assist you in your viewing, allowing you to experience art from around the world without leaving Japan. (Tour takes approximately 2 hours)

Approximately 30 minutes by car

15:30 Hallelujah Sweets Kitchen

We have a wide selection of fresh Japanese sweets, the Tokushima specialty "Kincho Manju," and delicious new Western sweets made by our pastry chefs. We also have "Blue Note Café" where you can eat freshly baked sweets, as well as a sweets-making experience and factory tour, making this a fun confectionery shop. (Time required: approx. 1 hour)

Check in to the accommodation

19:00 Tokushima Ramen

Tokushima's Chinese noodle dish "Tokushima Ramen" has gained nationwide recognition after being introduced at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum as "the last local ramen of the 20th century." It is a local ramen that comes in a wide variety of flavors, including a sweet and spicy pork bone soy sauce-based "brown" soup, a "white" pork bone soup, and a "yellow" clear soup. The Tokushima style is to top it with pork belly instead of roasted pork, and to eat it with a raw egg instead of a boiled egg. There are many famous ramen shops scattered around the city center. For more information, please see the Tokushima Prefecture Tourism Information Site "Awa Navi" (Tokushima Ramen). (Approximately 30 minutes required)

Approximately 10 minutes on foot

20:00 Awaodori Hall

The Awa Odori Kaikan, where you can enjoy the Awa Odori dance all year round, is a popular tourist facility where you can fully enjoy the dance, including live Awa Odori demonstrations and the Awa Odori Museum. After enjoying the professional dancing, why not join the dancers on stage? The adjacent Tokushima Prefectural Product Tourism Exchange Plaza, "Arudeyo Tokushima," offers a wide selection of Tokushima souvenirs, as well as Tokushima's specialty products such as crafts and local sake. From the Bizan Ropeway base station on the fifth floor, you can enjoy a six-minute aerial stroll to the top of Mt. Bizan. (The journey takes approximately one hour.)