Top Tokushima Prefecture Day Trips

This private tour is designed for travelers visiting Tokushima by cruise ship. Your government-licensed, English-speaking guide and private vehicle pick you up at Tokushima Port or hotels near the port, a relaxed, efficient way to explore the best of Tokushima in a day. Tokushima, on the island of Shikoku, is famous for the spectacular Naruto whirlpools, among the largest tidal whirlpools in the world. Admire them from a sightseeing boat or the thrilling Uzu-no-Michi glass walkway beneath the Onaruto Bridge. The region is also home to the Otsuka Museum of Art, the lively 400-year-old Awa Odori dance, and a centuries-old indigo (aizome) dyeing tradition you can try yourself. This fully customizable 6-hour private tour lets you choose 2-3 highlights with your guide - the whirlpools, Mount Bizan views, Tokushima Castle, the first temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, or local Tokushima ramen. Your friendly local guide tailors the day to your interests.

Tokushima offers a blend of tradition and nature, with central stops within 3km of each other. Begin at Awa Odori Kaikan to watch a live performance of Tokushima's 400-year-old dance festival, then ride the Bizan Ropeway in the same building up Mt. Bizan for 360-degree views of the city, Yoshino River, and surrounding mountains. Continue to the Ruins of Tokushima Castle to explore its stone walls and Omote-goten Garden, followed by the Tokushima Castle Museum, displaying samurai armor and a whale-hunting boat used by the Hachisuka lords. The tour concludes with a stroll through Shinmachigawa Mizugiwa Park along the river. Since these five sights sit near Tokushima Station, the public-transport plan covers just this compact loop. The private-vehicle plan adds a detour to Ryozenji Temple, Temple No. 1 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Naruto, before continuing to the five central sights. Either way, the itinerary can be adjusted within the allotted time.