Top Things to do in Tokushima
What to do and see in Tokushima, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Tokushima, Japan including Awaodori Kaikan, Mt. Bizan, Awa Odori, Shinmachi Boardwalk, Bizan Park, Shinmachigawa Mizugiwa Park, Tokushima Prefectural Awajurobe Yashiki, Tokushima Chuo Park, Shimmachi River, Ruins of Tokushima Castle.
Restaurants in Tokushima
1. Awaodori Kaikan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 294 reviews
Reviewed By wobbs1 - Ascoli Piceno, Italy
The Awa Odori Kaikan really is the central tourist site of Tokushima. It consists of a museum of Awa Odori dancing, a stage in which this give regular Awa Odori demonstrations (3-4 per day), the downhill terminal of the Mt. Bizan cable car, a much better than average craft shop, and even a little tea shop where one can sample fresh cooked bean pastries. It's specially useful when the it's windy an cold outside, like when we visited.
But seriously, all of the above are really worth doing/visiting. The Awa Odori demonstration is particularly well done, and is accompanied by a projected (on the back wall) translation of what the speaker is saying. But it would be fun even without the translation! And the dancing and musicianship are terrific. Of course you need to get on the stage afterward to try your dance moves. Made me want to come back for the August festival!!
Mt. Bizan is nice too, but on a cold day there isn't much to do other than go up, look around a bit, and come down.
2. Mt. Bizan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 296 reviews
Reviewed By wobbs1 - Ascoli Piceno, Italy
It's a pleasant ride up to the top of Mt. Bizan from which you can see all of Tokushima and, on a clear day, Wakayama and the Kansai coastline. There's not much else to do directly there, but in nice weather there seemed to be a large park that might have trails and other activities.
3. Awa Odori
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By AKAshon - Oakville, Canada
We came to Tokushima on a Friday morning during our cruise stop. Although we didn't see a performance of Awa Odori (traditional Japanese folk dance), we were treated to a performance during a Tokushima farewell 30 minutes from when the ship was going to leave port. And the performance was MESMERIZING! I was caught off guard by how beautiful the performance was! I was captivated, moved, & touched! The dance was at times elegant (with the female dancers) & primal and liberating with the male dancers). Watching the performance up close ignited a flame inside me; a desire to emulate the dance & move among the dancers & become one of them! At the end of the performance, there was an awesome dance party where cruise ship passengers were able to dance awa odori with the performers. Seeing the different people all dancing to the beat of the same drum was quite amazing! After th performance, we all boarded the cruise ship where the dancers began to perform some more when the ship began to leave the port. Due to the distance, the performance wasn't as powerful, but it still was quite something to behold! The awa odori was definitely one of my most favorite things in Japan, along with Udo Shrine in Miyazaki, a sushi conveyor belt restaurant in Tokyo and Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-hi Temple) & Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto!
4. Shinmachi Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By Terrygrim3 - Haverhill, Massachusetts
Because the area is so flat, when the tide comes in, the flow reverses. Not quite as dramatic as The Reversing Falls on the Saint John River in Saint John, NB, Canada (OK; it's not dramatic at all) but interesting. It is jellyfish season now (late June) and they are interesting to watch as well. There are many Bridges over Shinmachigawa, so if you are bored on one side, cross over the next block. Retail stores and little food shops abound, but the best reward is Awa Shinmachigawa Brewery at the square by Shinmachigawabashi.
5. Bizan Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Sue T - Perth, Western Australia, Australia
We were looking for some outdoor activities to walk off the international plane journey, which had been followed by the long bus trip - but the weather was cold and a bit rainy, so this seemed like a reasonable compromise: a ride up in the gondola, panoramic views across the city to help us get our bearings, and some sweet walking paths around the area. We found shelter when we needed it in the Visitor Centre, and a little playground for the kids. I would have liked to walk the whole distance, but the little ones weren't up for it. It was very quiet in the middle of winter: I can imagine it would be stunningly beautiful when green - a great place for a picnic. The little cafe at the top was closed when we were there, but that's our fault for being tourists in the off-season.
6. Shinmachigawa Mizugiwa Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Sunny M - Singapore
We headed for Sogo Tokushima and parked nearby the river. The pedestrian path is well paved beside the river and it runs quite a long way downstream.
We were there during the daytime...pretty hot as there are hardly any trees.
I believe night time should be magical and beautiful just to stroll beside the river.
7. Tokushima Prefectural Awajurobe Yashiki
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By stism - Grenoble, France
Japan has developed a very specific art for puppet theater, very different from Europe and even from Vietnam. This museum offers a unique introduction to this art, showing all the different facets. We took a guided tour and the explanations were very informative. The scenario of the 30 min show is not the most compelling one though.
8. Tokushima Chuo Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By John P - Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
this park located in the center of the city, Tokushima. this park has a history and you can have a taste of the old Japanese culture there. however, since it is small place, I would not suggest for the sightseeing or visiting with high expectation. however, for those who want to spend time and take a rest, this is a good place for you.
9. Shimmachi River
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
10. Ruins of Tokushima Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Terrygrim3 - Haverhill, Massachusetts
Although Tokushima is surrounded by many hills (OK, not surrounded, since it is a port) the Ruins of Tokushima Castle (hey TripAdvisor- if a human actually reads these before posting, someone might want to correct "Catsle" to "Castle") is the only on-building that allows you to get higher than pedestrian crossing Bridges, so if you want to climb anywhere, and don't have the time or inclination (pun absolutely intended) to do Mt. Bizan, the remnants of Tokushima Castle is your only option.
Not much is left since the 19th century razing of Castles, but it is a pleasant hike to the shrine on top. There are several paths, steep ones with stairs, and gentler slopes. The grounds at the bottom have been reconstructed, and are a relaxing place near the museum.
