A 3-Minute Short Trip A Nostalgic Journey on Naruto's Ferry

2025.3.13

When people think of Naruto City, the famous Naruto Strait often comes to mind. However, did you know that there is also a smaller strait called the "Konaruto Strait"? Unlike the powerful and turbulent whirlpools of the Naruto Strait, the calm inner waters of the Konaruto Strait are home to a local ferry service that has been a part of daily life for many years. In this article, we take a closer look at one of Tokushima’s treasured landscapes—the local ferry.

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Enjoy Nature with Misato Autumn Custom : the Umeshu Matsuri

2025.3.8

Surrounded by mountains, the beautiful Japanese countryside of the Misato area in Yoshinogawa City hosts the "Misato Umeshu Matsuri" every November. This region is designated as a rare "Plum Wine Special Zone" in Japan, and through the event, visitors can experience the blessings of nature and the arrival of autumn. For those planning to drink, taking the bus is recommended! It’s a safe and comfortable way to travel, allowing you to fully enjoy the event without worry. In this article, we’ll bring you highlights from the two exciting days of the Plum Wine Special Zone festivities.

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Ａ Journey Exploring “tonaru“, A New Tourism Hub In Tokushima Prefecture

2025.3.8

”tonaru”, which made its great opening on June 1, 2024 is a touristic spot overflowing with nature and cultural experiences. You can enjoy a wide range of activities in a former elementary school and kindergarden renovated into a retro building. In this article, we will delve into the charm of this now-reborn ancient haven of learning.

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Go with Matsushige Chief! Closely covering the charms of Tokushima Airport

2025.1.8

"Tokushima Airport", which moved to its current terminal in 2010, serves as a gateway to the skies, planes come and go from Japan and abroad. It would be a waste to use such an airport simply as a means of transportation! In fact, the charms of Tokushima Prefecture, including the “Awa Odori” dance, are scattered throughout the city. This time, we will introduce you to the charm of "Tokushima Airport", along with a guide from "Matsushige Chief", the mascot character of Matsushige Town, where the airport is located.

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Discover the Magic of Indigo: A Special Course in Tokushima

2024.12.18

Have you ever heard the term “Japan Blue”? During the Meiji era, British visitors to Japan used this phrase to describe the deep indigo color of traditional dyed garments worn by people across the country. The primary material for indigo dyeing, called “sukumo”, is predominantly produced in Tokushima. The fertile soil brought by the Yoshino River’s flooding made Tokushima an ideal region for growing indigo plants. Ningyo Joruri puppet theater flourished thanks to the economic power of indigo merchants. It’s also believed that Awa Odori, Tokushima’s famous dance, originated from dances brought back by these merchants as they traveled across Japan for business. In this feature, we’ll introduce a model travel plan that lets you explore Tokushima through the theme of “indigo,” an indispensable part of the region’s cultural heritage.

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Appreciate the mysterious flower! Recommended lotus spots in Naruto

2024.9.23

Naruto City of Tokushima Prefecture, is a famous lotus root production area that is considered one of the three major production areas in Japan. As a result, there are many fields for cultivating lotus root, and in summer, lotus flowers can be seen in various places in the city. In this special feature, we will introduce recommended spots where you can see lotus.

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Find Your Favorite Authentic Bar in Eastern Tokushima Tokushima Bar Hopping

2024.6.28

Tokushima has a vibrant bar culture. In fact, Tokyo can't even be called the bar capital of the country, with Tokushima Prefecture boasting the greatest number of bars per capita in Japan. Here, nightlife is a special cultural experience. In Tokushima city's Akitamachi district, there is a great number of storied and stylish bars whose old-school atmosphere is as delightful as the menu. It seems that at many of these spots, masters train their apprentices, who then open their own bars or take their masters' place, taking in their own apprentices – keeping traditions alive. These are generational institutions, and they've perfected their art. If you're looking for a little more for your night out – a chat with the barman, a lavish counter, even regional cocktails – these are contenders in Tokushima City.

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Let's meet people in Kamikatsu!

2024.5.16

Kamikatsu Town, in Tokushima Prefecture, was the first municipality in Japan to make a zero-waste declaration in 2003. Each household uses composting for food scraps. Other garbage is brought to the town's zero-waste center by the residents themselves and sorted into 45 separate categories, resulting in a recycling rate of over 80%. But Kamikatsu has other characteristics and attractions besides their “zero-waste” related activities. There are many places, experiences, and tours that allow visitors to fully experience and enjoy the town's nature and culture. The key factor is the "people" of Kamikatsu. Here are some of the people who are the lifeblood of Kamikatsu and who make the region more attractive. Text/Yuuki Bando (National Government Licensed GuideInterpreter)

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Three famous restaurants in Tokushima city popular among the local people where you can drink from noon

2024.3.29

In this issue, we will introduce three long-established restaurants in Tokushima where you can have a drink from noon without having to wait until nighttime. These restaurants have counters so even if you are alone they are easy to go to.

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Let's go to the very popular and surprising Sunday Market in Tokushima City!

2024.3.25

If you are interested in visiting a place that is popular among the local people of Tokushima, then I strongly recommend going to this market where a large number of vendors sell food and drinks, household items, antiques, and other interesting items often at surprisingly low prices.

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