Iya・Oboke・Tsurugisan
The deep mountainous area in the western part of Tokushima Prefecture has long been known as "Sora no Sato" ("Land of the Sky").The area retains the original landscape of Japan, including Mt. Tsurugi, the second highest mountain in western Japan, the beautiful gorges of Oboke and Koboke, and the unexplored Iya Valley.Visitors can feel the rural lifestyle nurtured by the Yoshino River that flows through Tokushima Prefecture, and at the "Udatsu no Machinami" , you can see the prosperous indigo merchants who used the Yoshino River's boat transport system.Visitors can also enjoy the unique cuisine of this area, such as Iya soba noodles, Handa somen noodles, and gibier.
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Udatsu Townscape
"Udatsu" is a firewall built on the second floor of a building to prevent fire from spreading to neighboring houses.This area is commonly known as "udatsu-no-machinami" ( udatsu townscape) because of the large number of udatsu at both ends of the townhouses. "Udatsu" were originally built for fire prevention, but since it cost a lot of money to install them, they became more decorative and gradually became a symbol of wealth and success. This street is ideal for strolling the town with its restaurants and general stores."Udatsu" is a firewall built on the second floor of a building to prevent fire from spreading to neighboring houses.This area is commonly known as "udatsu-no-machinami" ( udatsu townscape) because of the large number of udatsu at both ends of the townhouses. "Udatsu" were originally built for fire prevention, but since it cost a lot of money to install them, they became more decorative and gradually became a symbol of wealth and success. This street is ideal for strolling the town with its restaurants and general stores.
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Mt. Tsurugi
Mt. Tsurugi is selected as one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan. At 1,955 meters above sea level, it is the second highest mountain in western Japan.You can take the mountain lift up to near the top. After about an hour's walk from the lift, you will arrive at the summit, where the observation deck offers a wonderful panoramic view. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Ishizuchi, which rises at the western edge of the Shikoku mountain range, as well as the Seto Inland Sea and Tosa Bay in the distance.
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Vine bridges in the Iya valley
The vine bridge(Kazura bridge) is located in Iya, a hidden valley that holds the sad story of the Heike Clan. The bridge's graceful shape, reflected in the clear waters of the Iya River, creates a beautiful landscape in harmony with nature throughout the four seasons. The bridge, once the only transportation facility in the deep mountain valley area, has been designated as a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property and is now a popular tourist attraction.The bridge is made of Japanese white birch, weighing approximately 6 tons, and is 45 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 14 meters above the water, making it a thrilling sight as it creaks and sways with each step.
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Oboke Gorge Pleasure Cruise ~Feel the time of eternity~
The majestic flow of the Yoshino River, which runs through Tokushima Prefecture from west to east, has created beautiful gorges in the valley. The V-shaped valley of the Oboke Gorge, with its steep slopes and rock walls approaching from both banks, has been known as a difficult place to pass through. The rocks on both banks of the Oboke Gorge are said to have been created 200 to 100 million years ago. While listening to the boatman's guide, the boat will take you on an 8-kilometer tour of the canyon, where you can enjoy the magnificent scenery and the mystery of nature.

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