Tradition, culture, and spectacular views. A 2-day, 1-night tour of Tokushima's highlights (East to West)

This article suggests a two-day, one-night trip to Tokushima. In the first part, we will introduce the Iya area, one of Japan's three most remote regions, local cuisine handed down in mountainous regions, and three traditional crafts that Tokushima is proud of. Enjoy experiences that are unique to Tokushima, such as making Otani ware and indigo-dyed bags, and taking a cruise to remote areas.

[Day 1] Create memories of your trip. Experience pottery at Otani-yaki Motoyamagama

About 20 minutes by car from Tokushima Awaodori Airport. Taima Town, located in the west of Naruto City, is the home of Otani ware, a representative ceramic product of Tokushima. Otani ware, which boasts a history of about 240 years, began when pottery techniques were introduced by pilgrims from Kyushu in the late Edo period. In the Meiji period, the craft developed with the production of many large items such as "aigame" (indigo jars) used for indigo dyeing. In recent years, unique tableware and household goods that make use of the simple texture of the pottery have been produced, attracting pottery fans from both inside and outside the prefecture.

Currently, there are six potteries in Taima Town. One of them is Otani-yaki Motoyamagama, led by the 10th generation potter, Eiichiro Tamura. The pottery is actively involved in the creation of works in collaboration with anime and has won a special award at the Tokyo Tableware Festival.

The store has a wide variety of items, from large ceramic pieces to works with strong artistic influences and trendy one-plate dishes. The beautiful blue color that is reminiscent of indigo and the sea of Naruto is well-known.

They also have ceramic accessories such as earrings, rings, and brooches. They are light to wear and have a soft texture that makes them cute.

At the workshop a short distance from the main store, you can try your hand at pottery. There are three types of experiences: electric potter's wheel (easy course from 2,100 yen), hand-building (teacup size from 2,000 yen), and painting (from 800 yen). A traditional Otani ware craftsman is on staff and will teach you carefully, so even beginners can feel at ease. The vessel you make will be fired and mailed to you at a later date (additional charge). Why not try making a one-of-a-kind vessel as a memento of your trip?

Enjoy stylish Italian cuisine at Punta, a traditional Japanese café

Italian cafe "Punta" joined the Udatsu streetscape in May 2020. The name of the shop is pronounced "punta" and means "cutting edge" in Italian. It is imbued with the desire to bring a new wind to Udatsu.

It's about a 50-minute drive west from Otani-yaki Motoyamagama. The restaurant is a renovated 100-year-old traditional Japanese house called the Nishiyama Residence, and chef Yoshiyuki Okuno of the Italian restaurant La Brianza in Roppongi Hills is overseeing the food and service.

Lunch and dinner courses are available, and dishes using ingredients from Tokushima Prefecture such as Awaton pork and Awaodori chicken are also available. The appetizers and desserts are all excellent in taste. The first dish to come out is the Neapolitan dish "zeppole", which is pizza dough mixed with seaweed and fried, and is absolutely delicious, so you're sure to be impressed right from the start.

The Udatsu Streetscape, which retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, is well worth seeing.

The "Udatsu Streetscape" in Wakimachi, Mima City, flourished as a distribution center for indigo from the mid-Edo period through to the Meiji period. It has been designated as a nationally important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings.

The area is lined with traditional buildings from the mid-Edo period to the early Showa period, with the majority dating from around the Meiji period. The oldest surviving building dates back to 1707 (Hoei 4).

A notable feature of this streetscape is the abundance of "udatsu", fireproof walls attached to the roofs of Japanese houses. Because it was quite expensive to build, "udatsu" was a symbol of wealth for wealthy merchants, including indigo merchants.

The approximately 430m street is dotted with cafes and souvenir shops that have been converted from old houses.

One of the attractions to visit is Udatsu Agaru, which just opened in May 2020. It is a multi-purpose cultural facility renovated from a 150-year-old traditional Japanese house, and is a "scramble crossing where people with diverse lifestyles and ways of living come together."

There is plenty to see, including an architectural design office, a general merchandise and daily necessities space, a bookstore, a second-hand clothing store, a cafe and bar, and a gallery.

Experience traditional techniques! Make your own indigo-dyed items at the Mima City Tourism Exchange Center

When talking about Tokushima, Awa indigo is an indispensable part of the story. Tokushima is the home of sukumo, the indigo dye that is the base of indigo dyeing.

Located near the Italian restaurant Punta, which we introduced earlier, is the Mima City Tourism Exchange Center. At the indigo dyeing workshop next to it, you can experience indigo dyeing handkerchiefs (from 1,010 yen), stoles (from 5,090 yen), eco-bags (2,030 yen), etc. You can also bring your own items to be dyed (20 yen per gram for residents, 30 yen per gram for non-residents).

They use dyes made using a traditional method called "natural lye fermentation," which does not use chemical dyes. They will give you easy-to-understand lectures on indigo and how to apply patterns, so anyone can try their hand at beautiful indigo dyeing.

The colors that appear vary depending on how the pattern is applied, the temperature and humidity at the time, so no two bags are exactly alike. Now that eco-bags are becoming more common, it's a good idea to make an original indigo-dyed bag as a souvenir.

Take the cable car to the open-air bath at Shin-Iya Onsen Hotel Kazurabashi

Leaving the Udatsu townscape behind, we head further west for about an hour by car to reach Oboke-Iya Onsenkyo, a hot spring resort dotted with hot springs in Oboke, a scenic spot of strangely shaped rocks located upstream of the Yoshino River in Iya Valley, one of Japan's three most remote areas. You can enjoy hot springs with different spring qualities, such as Oboke Onsen and Iya Onsen, and the beautiful nature that changes with the seasons is also an attraction.

At Shin-Iya Onsen Hotel Kazurabashi, the open-air bath in the sky, which can be reached by cable car, is very popular.

Located in the mountains at an altitude of about 400 meters, the garden is surrounded by plants and sunlight, making you feel as if you have wandered into another world. A beautiful rural landscape spreads out before you.

After your bath, take a break in the free thatched-roof rest area "Hanbei-no-Ie." Enjoy the sky foot bath with a spectacular view of the mountains in front of you.

[Day 2] Iya's Kazurabashi Bridge: Enjoy the spectacular views that can only be found in an unexplored region

The second day begins at the Iya Kazura Bridge, known as one of the Three Unusual Bridges of Japan. This dynamic bridge is made by weaving together about 5 tons of vines harvested from the bitterly cold mountains and fields during the winter, and is rebuilt every three years.

With every step, the bridge makes a creaking sound and sways back and forth, which is thrilling. However, the trees surrounding the bridge, the sunlight filtering through the trees, and the Iya River below all combine to create a picturesque view.

What's more, you can enjoy the beauty of Japan's four seasons to the fullest no matter when you visit: wisteria in the spring, fresh greenery in the summer, colorful leaves in the fall, and snowy scenery in the winter.

Shop for souvenirs and enjoy local cuisine at "Kazurabashi Yumebutai"

After crossing the "Iya Kazurabashi Bridge," why not stop by the "Kazurabashi Yumebutai," which is just a short walk away?

It is a tourist facility consisting of a large parking lot, an event plaza, a product hall, and a restaurant.

Inside the building, there are many souvenirs, including local specialties. The restaurant "Kazurabashi-tei" serves the famous Iya soba, as well as noodles and various set meals. There are also stalls selling ice cream and other items in front of the facility.

A must-try is Iya's local dish "Dekomawashi." Potatoes, soba dumplings, konnyaku, and rock tofu, a traditional dish made in the Iya region, are skewered to resemble dolls and slowly grilled over charcoal. The potatoes are soft and the tofu is moist, and the savory flavor of the dengaku miso is irresistible. Other dishes on offer include grilled amago trout (called amego in Tokushima) and sweetfish, grilled potatoes, and grilled corn.

Have an exciting treetop experience at "Forest Adventure Iya"

After taking a break, head to a place where you can further experience the great nature of Iya. "Forest Adventure Iya" is a dynamic athletic field that utilizes the sloping ground. The site area is an astounding 1 hectare (the equivalent of 36 25-meter swimming pools!).

The adventure course (4,100 yen for adults) takes about two hours to complete around 30 activities set up in the natural forest.

All of the activities, including rope crossings with a maximum height difference of 15 meters and suspension bridge crossings, are thrilling.

The final part of the course is a 50-meter high, 360-meter long zip slide that crosses the Iya River. It's quite dynamic, but the scenery changes constantly, so you can enjoy the natural beauty of Iya and it's extremely exhilarating.

Obviously, sandals and skirts are not allowed. Please wear comfortable clothing.

See the magnificent natural scenery from the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat

Oboke Gorge is a gorge that was created over a period of more than 200 million years by the rapids of the Yoshino River. It is a nationally designated natural monument, and its majestic yet delicate rock formations show off a variety of colors, from pale blue to pale green, depending on the season and weather.

If you want to experience this natural beauty up close, we recommend the "Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat." The boarding point is located at the complex "Oboke Gorge Mannaka." It operates all year round, and even one person can easily board (1,200 yen for adults). The trip takes about 30 minutes.

The rock faces seen from the boat are steep and beautiful. One after another, strangely shaped and gigantic rocks that look like sculptures appear before your eyes, including pale blue-gray rocks called conglomerate schist, which are rare even nationwide.

During the ride, the experienced boatman will give you a detailed guide to the highlights of the valley, so enjoy the scenery while listening to his commentary.

During the river cruise, wild birds such as mallards and black kites may approach the boat!

"Awa Washi Traditional Industry Hall" where you can see and experience traditional techniques

Tokushima Prefecture has been producing washi paper for a long time, and the washi paper produced in Yoshinogawa City in particular is collectively called "Awa washi." Awa washi paper is handmade one sheet at a time, and is strong, tear-resistant, and soft to the touch.

At the Awa Washi Traditional Industry Hall in Yoshinogawa City, people from both Japan and abroad visit to see how Awa washi paper is made and experience papermaking.

The papermaking experience (500 yen) allows you to make your own original washi paper, and with the staff's kind advice, it's a fun experience for both adults and children. After the papermaking experience, you can try painting using colorful pulp, the raw material of paper. You can finish it with your favorite pattern. You can take your work home on the same day.

The shop on the first floor is lined with unique goods made from Awa washi paper, such as letter paper, tea tins, and folding fans. We recommend buying some as small souvenirs for yourself or a friend.

In the first part of our Tokushima trip, we introduced a plan for touring the western part of the prefecture that condenses the charm of good old Tokushima, such as traditional crafts, local cuisine, and magnificent scenery. Go on an experiential trip to experience the history and traditions that Tokushima has preserved since ancient times.

■Click here for the second part of the Tokushima trip

A two-day, one-night trip to the sea and mountains. A sightseeing plan for Tokushima Prefecture (Eastern to Southern)

Tokushima Prefecture has its own unique traditions and culture, handed down amidst magnificent nature. From the eastern to western areas, you can enjoy the cultural aspects, centered on local cuisine and traditional crafts, while from the central to southern areas, you can experience the charm of nature, feeling the blessings of both the sea and the mountains with your whole body.

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