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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Uzu-no-Michi Glass-Floored Walkway
Naruto Whirlpool Sightseeing Boat (Wonder Naruto or Aqua Eddy)
Awa Odori Kaikan
Iya Valley Vine Bridge (Kazurabashi) crossing
Otsuka Museum of Art
Mount Bizan Ropeway
Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
JR Hotel Clement Tokushima
Hotel Sunroute Tokushima
Iyaonsen Hotel Kazurabashi
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Tokushima Ramen shops are family-friendly with fast service and simple counter or table seating; a bowl typically costs ¥700–1,000 (~$5–$7 USD) and most children enjoy the mild pork-based broth
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) near JR Tokushima Station stock onigiri, karaage chicken, and sweet breads that travel well for a picnic during the Iya Valley drive
Awa Odori chicken (Awa-odori-branded local poultry) restaurants often have private tatami rooms that work well for families with young children who need space to move around
Family restaurant chains such as Gusto and Saizeriya near JR Tokushima Station and along the Route 192 bypass offer picture-menu kids' meals with toy giveaways, high chairs, and Western-style options like pasta and hamburger steak for picky eaters
Ask staff for an 'arerugii kado' (allergy card) or show a phone-translated allergy note before ordering — soy sauce (which contains wheat) and bonito dashi appear in most Tokushima Ramen and udon broths, so this is essential for children with food allergies
Family-style kaiseki at ryokan such as Hotel Kazurabashi in the Iya Valley can usually accommodate a simpler children's course (rice, grilled fish, miso soup) if requested when booking, rather than the full multi-course adult menu
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.