Rich nature and handed-down traditions: now is the time to take a solo trip to Tokushima and Naruto for a two-day, one-night trip

Ai Nishimura

Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.

12:00 Enjoy all things lotus root at "Renmaru Cafe" in one of Japan's three major lotus root producing areas

Before enjoying a tour of Naruto, make sure to fill your stomach first.

We stopped by Renmaru Cafe, a cafe that serves dishes made with lotus root.

Tokushima Prefecture is a major producer of lotus roots, and is one of the leading producers in Japan along with Ibaraki Prefecture and Saga Prefecture. Naruto City is a major producer, and thanks to the abundant water from the lower Yoshino River basin and the high-quality clay soil, you can see lotus root fields stretching out as far as the eye can see.

Tokushima lotus root is characterized by its light color and crunchy texture. Renmaru Cafe serves this lotus root as a main dish. It is run by a company that handles everything from production to processing and sales, and is a restaurant where you can enjoy lotus root dishes all year round. In addition to being a restaurant, they also sell processed products made with lotus root, and their "lotus root chips" in particular are a popular product with many repeat customers due to their addictive taste.

Lotus root is an excellent vegetable, rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. It is also said to be a food that warms the body and improves blood circulation. This cafe opened four years ago with the aim of getting many people to eat Tokushima lotus root. A lotus pond was made in the center of the U-shaped building, and in season the lotus leaves grow thickly, creating a beautiful sight. Lotus root is used in dishes such as curry and hamburger steak, and is always served as a side dish with popular dishes such as the "fried chicken rice bowl" and the "terimayo chicken rice bowl."

I ordered "Lotus Root and Ball Gratin".

The original "renkon tama" dumplings made from rice flour and lotus root were served piping hot in demi-glace sauce. The vegetables and pickled garnishes were also lotus root, so it was literally a lotus root-filled lunch.

Just looking at the menu, I was amazed at the possibilities of lotus root, as it gave me so many different menu ideas!

They also accommodate customers who want to eat outside when they don't have much time, and offer a take-out menu.

This restaurant was a perfect place to start our trip to Naruto, where we could enjoy local specialties to our heart's content, and it left us completely satisfied, both in our hearts and in our stomachs.

Renmaru Cafe

13:10 Number one indigo producer in Japan. STUDIO N2 Awa-ai Design Institute, an indigo workshop that conveys the traditions of Awa-ai in Tokushima

Indigo, also known as "Japan Blue," is one of Japan's traditional colors that has been used on curtains and furoshiki wrapping cloths.

Tokushima Prefecture is the number one producer of domestic indigo in Japan, with more than half of the total domestic production being cultivated within the prefecture. Not only is it a production area, but it is also a thriving producer of "sukumo," an indigo dye that takes time and effort to make, and Japan's blue indigo is supported by Tokushima's craftsmen.

Indigo is a plant of the Polygonaceae family. Indigo is produced by extracting the blue pigment contained in the leaves. In Japan, it is a color that has been loved since ancient times, and at the same time, it has been used practically from the viewpoint of insect repellent and durability. However, indigo cultivation was banned during the war and was once on the verge of cessation. Even after it was somehow revived, production has been gradually decreasing.

However, in recent years, there has been a rediscovery of the value of fabrics, such as their deodorizing, antibacterial and fashionable properties, and there has also been a growing understanding of the warmth of handmade items and natural dyes derived from plants, leading to a quiet boom in fabrics.

This time we visited "STUDIO N2," one of the many indigo dyeing studios in Naruto City.

The workshop run by the couple was originally the wife's parents' home, and was renovated two years ago after it had been vacant. The workshop is filled with original products, such as underwear and cycling caps that utilize the deodorizing properties of indigo. Subtle differences in dyeing and patterns can completely change the look of indigo products. It's amazing how just picking up and selecting the products while listening to the stories behind their creations makes them seem so lovely.

In addition to manufacturing and sales, there is an indigo dyeing experience held on weekends where you can hear various stories about the history of indigo in Tokushima and indigo production. Indigo dyeing is a dyeing culture that uses natural pigments that has been cultivated in Japan for a long time. This is a great opportunity to not only enjoy the dyeing experience but also learn about its history. You can take your creation home on the spot, and it makes a great souvenir that is not bulky, making it the perfect souvenir to take home with you as a memento of Tokushima.

Tokushima indigo is produced naturally and is kind to the earth.

This year, the pair also started cultivating indigo. It seems that the day is fast approaching when many people will come to understand indigo through STUDIO N2 and it will be appreciated even more.

STUDIO N2 Awa-ai Design Institute

14:30 French Monster Setouchi Food Art, a confectionery workshop that continues to spread the charm of Naruto

After checking in at our accommodation for the night, Hotel Ridge, we headed to a popular sweets shop that had recently opened on a hilltop on Shimada Island in the Seto Inland Sea.

The sweets sold here, "To the Moon, To Naruto", were originally created at "French Monster", a French restaurant in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, that uses ingredients from Tokushima. The sweets served at the restaurant were so highly praised by foodies that they opened a sweets workshop. It's like a return to Naruto City.

"To the Moon, To Naruto" is a confectionery made by sandwiching an original cream made from Naruto Kintoki paste, custard, caramel, etc. between sable cookies. This exquisite dessert is made using aged sweet potatoes from Kise, a producer of Naruto Kintoki, and makes the most of the natural sweetness, the soft, fluffy flavor, and the lustrous golden color of the Naruto Kintoki. The soft texture of the moist sable cookies and the elegant, deep cream make this a very rich treat.

The restaurant is located in a white building surrounded by greenery right next to the Shihomi Observatory along the Naruto Skyline, making for an excellent location. From both the observatory and inside the restaurant, you can enjoy the serene seascape dotted with fishing stalls at Uchinoumi.

It's a popular restaurant that's always busy with customers and receives constant inquiries from fans all over the country, so if you're in Naruto, it's definitely a place you'd want to stop by on your drive.

In 2018, it won the Grand Prize at the Setouchi Souvenir Competition. It looks like it will soon become a representative sweet of Tokushima.

It is easy to eat for people of all ages and genders, making it a perfect souvenir for yourself or as a gift for your travels.

French Monster Setouchi Food Art

16:00 Resort hotel that accommodates 10 groups per day. A spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and an impressive stay at Hotel Ridge.

Our accommodation for the night is Hotel Ridge, which offers an unparalleled location with all rooms offering ocean views overlooking the calm Seto Inland Sea and the Onaruto Bridge.

This resort hotel is surrounded by nature and space, with only 10 rooms on a 230,000m2 site, roughly the size of five Tokyo Domes. The site is rich in nature, and the chirping of birds is pleasant to the ears. You can enjoy the changing seasons, such as the tunnel of cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn, and the hotel has received high praise for its facilities, customer service, and food.

The first place we were taken to was the restaurant "California Table," which is used for lunch.

We were greeted by friendly service staff and guided to the wooden deck terrace space. When we stepped onto the terrace, we were greeted by a picture-postcard-like world, with the pure white Onaruto Bridge, Awaji Island, and even Wakayama Prefecture faintly visible in the distance. We were so moved that we couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

At the entrance to the restaurant, there are rows of bottles of California wine "RIDGE". This is the brand of the winery owned by the Otsuka Group, the parent company of the hotel, and is also the origin of the hotel's name. Since I'm here, I decide to try some at dinner.

The rooms are bright with natural light, and the view from the terrace allows you to feel the changes of the day, such as the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky. The spacious space allows you to relax freely, and your privacy is also well secured, making for a safe stay. The room is over 60 square meters, so you can relax in the luxury of doing nothing.

Guests can enjoy the highest level of hospitality with relaxing room facilities such as Naruto craft "Otani ware" cups and "indigo dyed" bed covers, seven types of tea and coffee, free drinks in the refrigerator, soft bedding, Shikoku Imabari towels, and a full range of amenities.

It's perfect for a stay-at-home during the COVID-19 pandemic, as you can enjoy a completely non-crowded stay.

There is also a shuttle service available from Tokushima Awaodori Airport and Naruto Station, so please feel free to use it.

Hotel Ridge

18:00 Enjoy exquisite Japanese kaiseki cuisine at "Banri-so"

Dinner will be served at Banri-so, located within the hotel grounds. A charming and elegant building with a Japanese garden.

The building was named "Banri-so" after the long corridor that stretches inside, which resembles the "Great Wall of China." The corridor is covered with tatami mats, which feel warm and comfortable under your feet. Looking up, you can see the boat-shaped ceiling, which was created using carefully selected building materials and techniques. Inside the building, you can see carefully crafted nail covers and decorative transoms, and the Japanese design is abundant.

The courtyard is a well-maintained dry landscape garden. In contrast, the untouched green garden is lush and lush, and wild raccoons sometimes come to play. You can enjoy your meal surrounded by nature and greenery.

The menu is Japanese kaiseki cuisine prepared by head chef Arai Yasuji.

The first dish is the specialty, "Seafood Stone Grill." Seafood grilled on a hot stone is an exceptional dish that allows you to enjoy the aroma and sound. It is a simple cooking method that allows the quality of Naruto's ingredients to stand out.

Other dishes on offer include a bowl of conger eel from Ishima, Tokushima, and fresh sashimi including Naruto sea bream, among other local ingredients.
The main course is Awa Ikkangyu beef, with its smooth texture, melt-in-your-mouth fat, and rich flavor. It is paired with a glass of Ridge Wine's "Lytton Spring."

The food was delivered smoothly and it was a beautifully delicious kaiseki meal that kept us excited.

Hotel Ridge Banri-so