Hidden Tokushima

03/11/2024

【Nishi-Awa Autumn Viewing】
Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges

If you follow the winding roads deep into eastern Iya Valley, you’ll find the Oku-Iya area, where the beauty of the land hides countless legends. The Double Vine Bridges keep one such legend, and now as autumn foliage sweeps throughout eastern Iya, it’s the perfect time to visit.

These two bridges were constructed with thick vines, and are affectionately referred to as the “male bridge” and the “female bridge”. Together, the “husband and wife bridges”. Originally, there were 13 vine bridges in the Iya region that served as a lifeline for the local people, giving access to the hunting grounds at Mt. Tsurugi, in addition to being used by hunters, woodcutters, etc. Nowadays, the vine bridges remain in only two locations: Zentoku of Nishi Iya Yamamura, and here, in Oku-Iya. These bridges are continually renewed to provide safe passage for visitors, but why were they originally constructed with vines?

The legend goes that after losing the battle of Shido no Ura, the Heike clan fled deep into these mountains to hide from their enemies, and constructed bridges made of vines that could easily be cut if they encountered pursuit.

This is a favourite hidden spot for viewing the colourful leaves, and, surrounded by thick foliage and the clear river’s flow, the bridges make for an unforgettable view.

Tips for your visit:

🍁 The leaves here colour earlier than the rest of the valley, around the end of October ~ early November, depending on the weather.

🍁 The roads can be narrow at times and are not accessible by public transportation to prevent overtourism; this is a sanctum of nature that the locals protect to this day. 🩷

🍁 Also stop by the Scarecrow Village nearby!

For access:
https://goo.gl/maps/vshinypfPXgaqefg8

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November 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

31/10/2024

【Nishi-Awa Sightseeing】
Ochiai Pass

This quaint mountain pass is located at the peak of Ochiai Village, and at 1520 meters, it’s the highest road accessible to vehicles in Miyoshi City. If you’ve visited Mt. Tsurugi, you’ll find the views here are similarly stunning, while being much more accessible. Moreover, it’s one of my favourite spots for viewing fall colours, as the drive up through Ochiai Village is flushed with fiery autumn leaves along the way. 🍁

Ochiai Pass also operates as a trailhead for those who wish to hike the nearby mountains. And be sure to make the short jaunt through the bamboo grasses near the sign to get a bird’s eye view of Iya’s majestic mountainscapes. ✨

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Tips for your visit:
🍁 The autumn foliage is at its peak now, weather permitting.

🍁 Ochiai Pass is accessible via two routes by car: through Higashimiyoshi Town, or Miyoshi City. The Higashimiyoshi route is a bit safer; the Miyoshi route, a bit more scenic.

🍁 The roads up to the pass are narrow in places and the road can be rough, particularly en route through Miyoshi. Recommended for confident drivers.

🍁 If you miss the fall foliage here, you can still catch it at Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges and the Scarecrow Village nearby! Autumn colours are at their peak in this area in early November.

For access:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FZHe7wRJLS5J3ZDT9

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October 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

28/10/2024

【Nishi-Awa Sightseeing】
Hiking Mt. Tsurugi

It’s been a rainy and foggy season for the peak of autumn viewing--at least up 1955 meters at Mt. Tsurugi’s peak, that is! This year, we decided to tackle this hike during its most popular autumn season, taking the lower paths at a leisurely pace to the top. ⛰️ (And constantly stopping to take pictures of the breathtaking views, of course 😆) Mt. Tsurugi boasts a number of routes to take to the summit, including a ropeway that takes you halfway, for those who prefer the pleasant scenic route. Shikoku’s second highest mountain is a great choice for hiking veterans and beginners alike. ⭐

Autumn Viewing Tips:
🍁 As of October 24th, the coloured leaves were at their most radiant in some spots, and already fallen in others, and if the rain continues the foliage may not last. But either way, this season is by far the most pleasant for a hike. ✨

🍁 If you visit Mt. Tsurugi and miss the fall foliage, you can still catch it at Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges and the Scarecrow Village nearby! Autumn colours are at their peak in this area in early November.

👉 See our Mt. Tsurugi page for essential hiking info:
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/mt-tsurugi/

✨ Check out our English Online Reservation System for other workshops and activities to do in Western Tokushima:
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/

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October 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

21/10/2024

【Nishi-Awa Sightseeing】
The “Sea of Clouds” Viewing Season ⛅

Where the Yoshino River winds deep into the mountains of Iya, a phenomenon of mists gathering and flowing through the valley is called the “sea of clouds”. These conditions shift depending on not only the area’s landscape, but also the daily weather and the temperature of the river water. But in Awashi (depending on the season), you can view this natural phenomenon almost daily! Rise before the sun and bask in the majesty of nature. ⭐

* Generally, the best seasons are April, or October to December, at around 7 am.

Reserve online to view the spectacular sea of clouds phenomenon at a local hidden spot with a driver who is familiar with the area. ✨

👉 Reserve here:
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/1483/

✨ Check out our English Online Reservation System for other workshops and activities to do in Western Tokushima:
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/

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October 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

15/10/2024

【Nishi-Awa Sightseeing】
Koboke Valley Observation Point

This viewpoint offers a sweeping view of Koboke Station and the emerald mirror of the Yoshino River. ✨ The scenery is always shifting with the seasons, so this spot is well worth repeated visits--now you can enjoy the blooming cosmos and spider lilies that mark the transition to autumn.

For access →
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z736jFSCuJRFbqd96

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October 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

07/10/2024

A favourite stop of mine; the scenery from Kunimiyama Bridge in Koboke Gorge. The lucent mirror of the Yoshino River casts back the bright sky and the rich end-of-summer foliage.

For access →
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yByiPNqdzTFpFZtY8
* There is a wider space to park after crossing the bridge

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October 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

04/10/2024

The third photo exhibition at Roadside Station Oboke ended on Thursday, and it was such a pleasure to exhibit with the folks at 道の駅 大歩危 ! (Michi no Eki Oboke) Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to stop by and chat! Until next time. ♥️

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October 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

#徳島 #大歩危
#にし阿波剣山吉野川観光圏 #徳島観光

20/09/2024

A little local treasure, Hanan Coffee ☕

If you peer across the river from Oboke Station, you might spot a vibrant little cafe, strung up with fairy lights and other pleasant sights--for coffee lovers, especially! ✨ Located just beyond the turn towards Iya Valley, this is a missed spot for many travellers, but truly a hidden gem, offering fancy lattes, teas, smoothies, ice cream, and even parfaits. With a wealth of limited-time seasonal options, too, it’s the local Starbucks of Oboke Gorge, except better (not that I’m biased... 😚)!

Little Yamagara birds also tend to frequent this spot, and you can try feeding them while enjoying views of the Yoshino River from terrace seating. Indoor seating is also available for rainy days. 🎵

For access:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qnZxu2nn7NHHQf8p6

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September 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

12/09/2024

【Nishi-Awa Activities】
Try on a kimono at Mima’s Udatsu Street! ❀

⭐ Online Reservation →
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/2586/

Immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture! Don a kimono of your choice and take a stroll around the beautiful and historic Udatsu Townscape; the perfect spot for a photoshoot. ♪

The streets of Wakimachi’s Udatsu Townscape were historically a place where indigo merchants gathered in the Edo period, and its beautiful traditional buildings remain, preserved to enjoy for generations to come. Donning a kimono and walking these streets will make you feel as though you have truly slipped back through the ages!

During the experience, you’ll have a full kimono fitting, then free time to enjoy the surrounding townscape, taking photos, visiting cafes, or just soaking up the atmosphere with a stroll. Mima Wagasa Japanese umbrellas are also available to borrow from Mima’s Tourism Bureau. ✨

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September 2024 | Mima, Tokushima
徳島県美馬市

12/09/2024

Thank you so much! 🥰

05/09/2024

🌟 Hidden Tokushima’s 3rd Photo Exhibition:
Sept 3rd ~ Oct 3rd, 2024 🌟

We’ve been in Mima and Tsurugi, and next we’re spreading the love for Nishi-Awa in Miyoshi! 🥰 This third exhibition will be held at Roadside Station Oboke (2nd floor), right in the heart of the beautiful Oboke Gorge. Lots to do out here! Drop by, visit the spooky Youkai Museum, take a cruise on the Yoshino River, perhaps try a delicious gibier burger at Cafe & Gibier? ☺️

This time, we’ve made postcards to go with the exhibit, free only for Hidden Tokushima’s followers, so feel free to grab your favourite of the eight varieties when you visit! Thank you so much to everyone for your continued support! 🩷

⭐ Exhibit Information ⭐
September 3rd to October 3rd, 2024

Location:
Search “Roadside Station Oboke” on Google Maps
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CaQGACZNWu1XvDqq8

Operating Hours:
From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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(About the heart behind the exhibition 🌷)
Many people know of Western Tokushima’s main spots, such as the Vine Bridge or Udatsu Townscape, but there are so many hidden gems that don’t get much attention, but are a delight to discover! I began Hidden Tokushima with the goal of introducing these spots, particularly to the foreign community in Tokushima. I love exploring, but when I first moved to Tokushima, there wasn’t much in the way of English information (such as nature spots, viewpoints, outdoor activities, etc). So I aimed to change that! 😊 Even the locals who have lived in this area all their lives may not have had the chance to explore the beauty and wonder around them (that was certainly me in my hometown in Canada), but actually, you needn’t go far to discover the charms of the land and its people!

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September 2024 | Nishi-Awa, Tokushima
徳島県にし阿波

22/08/2024

【Nishi-Awa Activities】
Forest Adventure Iya 🍃

Care to leave the blistering heat behind for an adventure in the mountains at Forest Adventure Iya? 🌞

👉 Zipline-only Course
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/1538/

👉 5-course Adventure Set
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/1529/

This course might look imposing, but rest assured, you’re secured to a harness and wires the whole time! Each course offers freedom to choose, for beginners or those who want a challenge--you can select easy or hard routes as you navigate each section, and if one of them looks too intimidating, feel free to skip it and head onto the next!

Each course tests your balance as you navigate over platforms and through ropes, but even a beginner like me got through it no problem! The toughest part for me was holding onto the net and climbing sideways… which you can skip if you’re not confident! 👍

Every course also offers a bit of ziplining--starting low and progressively higher, with a mighty swing into a net in course 3, and of course, the lengthy and thrilling zipline over the Iya River in course 5! The zipline hovers 50 meters over the river, and it’s said to be one of the best in Japan! Well, it was easily the highlight for me--gliding over the and taking in the mountain views was super exhilarating!

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August 2024 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

22/08/2024

A great documentary about the Village of Scarecrows by YouTuber Tokyo Lens! 👏✨

350 Japanese Scarecrow Dolls and only 25 living Residents. This is Nagoro village and the story of Ayano Tsukimi who replaced the fading population of her Ru...

19/08/2024

Three days of Ikeda Awa Odori, each bursting with more energy than the last!! The dancers did such an amazing job performing their dynamic & elegant dances, one after another, on stage after stage! 💫 I’ve always been amazed at how they keep up their energy, but these dancers are true athletes, and train all year for this festival. Thanks for your hard work, everyone, and for feeding the energy that brings new life to Tokushima each and every year. 🩵

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August 2024 | Ikeda, Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市池田町

11/08/2024

It’s the Obon holidays, when many return to their hometowns to enjoy the summer with family. ☀️ If you’re in Tokushima, the forecast is for sunny days as far as the eye can see, so let’s escape into the mountains!! Rafting? Vine Bridge? Kayaking? Indigo dyeing? There’s plenty to do out west! 💙 And many activity reservations can be made the day before or the day of, so check out our website to reserve! 😊

☀️ https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/ ☀️

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August 2024 | Nishi-Awa, Tokushima
徳島県にし阿波

27/07/2024

⭐ Ikeda Awa Odori Dance Festival ⭐

Tokushima prefecture explodes with life during this high-energy festival--the largest dance festival in Japan! Awa Odori is coming soon! ♪

👉 Dates & Times:
August 14th & 15th: 19:00 〜 21:30 (roads around station closed until 22:30)
August 16th: 19:00 〜 22:00 (roads around station closed until 23:00）

👉 Location:
JR Awa-Ikeda Station area

⭐ More info & timetable
https://tinyurl.com/yxwz55je

Although the largest venue of Awa Odori is located in Tokushima city, many other areas in the prefecture also hold their own community festivals. The smaller scale festival in Ikeda, Miyoshi, will be held from August 14-16, with huge street and stage performances, and of course, food stalls and activities for visitors to enjoy. No matter where, the atmosphere and energy of Awa Odori will sweep you away! ♪

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August 2024 | Ikeda, Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市池田町