Tokushima Prefecture occupies the northeastern corner of Shikoku island, facing Osaka Bay and the Kii Channel across the Naruto Strait. It is best known for two very different natural spectacles: the Naruto whirlpools, where powerful tidal currents collide to form swirling vortices up to 20 meters across, and the remote Iya Valley, a steep, cedar-forested gorge in the prefecture's mountainous interior where vine suspension bridges have carried travelers across the Iya River for centuries. Tokushima City, the capital, is famous nationwide for the Awa Odori, Japan's largest traditional dance festival, held every August since the Edo period and drawing over a million spectators. The prefecture was historically Awa Province, ruled for nearly 300 years by the Hachisuka clan from Tokushima Castle, and its Edo-period wealth was built on the cultivation and trade of Awa-ai indigo dye, a craft still practiced today.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Tokushima through its food.
Awa Odori Jidori Chicken Restaurant Tour
Includes: Tataki-style seared jidori chicken sashimi at Torimasa · Charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers using Awa Odori-branded chicken · Chicken oyakodon or hot pot to finish the crawl · Walkable route within central Tokushima City near the station
Naruto Kintoki Sweet Potato Farm & Tasting Tour
Includes: Walk through sand-dune fields where Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes are grown · Tasting of roasted, steamed, and tempura preparations · Small-group visits to working farms in Naruto-cho · Take-home sweet potato included in most visits
Tokushima Ramen Shop Crawl
Includes: Starts at Tokushima Ramen Higashi Taishoken, a pioneer of the local style · Samples the city's signature pork-bone-and-soy-sauce broth with raw egg · Three shop stops within walking distance across the city center · Half or mini bowls at each stop keep the crawl manageable
Sudachi Citrus Farm Tour
Includes: Terraced sudachi orchards in Kamikatsu, Tokushima's citrus-growing heartland · Tasting pairs sudachi with soba dipping sauce and grilled fish · Small-group visits directly with local growers · Take-home sudachi included at most farms
Awa Beef Kaiseki Dining Experience
Includes: Multi-course kaiseki menu centered on Tokushima's branded Awa beef · Six to eight courses balancing seared beef, sashimi, and seasonal vegetables · Intimate counter or private-room seating near Tokushima Station · Seasonal course lineups that vary by restaurant
Indigo Dye Workshop with Local Food Pairing
Includes: Hands-on shibori indigo dyeing session at Ai no Yakata museum · Tasting of regional Tokushima home cooking after the workshop · Finished dyed cloth item included to take home · Located in Yamakawa-cho, a traditional aizome dyeing area
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book tours and cooking classes at least a few days in advance — small-group experiences sell out quickly.
Come hungry — most food tours include 5-8 tastings.
Bring cash for unscheduled stops the guide may recommend.