Tokushima

The greatest charm of Tokushima Prefecture lies in the overwhelming vitality woven from history and nature. The "Awa Odori," held every August, is a leading traditional performing art of Japan with a history of about 400 years, and the sight of the whole town swept up in fervor is spectacular. The natural environment is rich as well: the "Naruto whirlpools" seen in the Naruto Strait are a work of natural art boasting one of the largest scales in the world. The Iya region, home to the "Iya Kazura Bridge," one of Japan's three strange bridges, is known as a remote region with legends of fugitive Heike clan survivors, and the gorge beauty woven from steep cliffs and clear streams captivates visitors. In food, there is the "Tokushima ramen" with its rich soup, refreshing dishes using "sudachi," which accounts for nearly all of the national harvest, and brand ingredients such as "Awa Odori chicken." The prefecture is also known as a producer of indigo dyeing, and experiences with "Awa indigo" using traditional techniques are popular as well. From historic traditional culture to mystical great nature and profound food culture, Tokushima holds diverse attractions that cannot be fully savored in a single visit.