Tokushima, Japan

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Tokushima, Japan

Region: Tokushima Prefecture

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Geographic Coordinates: 34.070300, 134.555000

Climate: Tokushima has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, and experiences frequent rainfall throughout the year.

Population: 254510

Language: Japanese

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Tokushima is a stunning city located on the eastern coast of Shikoku Island in Japan. It serves as the capital city of Tokushima Prefecture and has a population of around 260, 000 people. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, Breathtaking natural scenery, And delectable local cuisine. One of the most renowned events in Tokushima is the Awa Odori Festival held annually in August. This festival celebrates traditional Japanese music and dance with thousands of performers taking to the streets to showcase their skills. The festival attracts visitors from all over Japan and worldwide.

Another popular attraction in Tokushima is Mount Bizan that offers awe-inspiring views over the city and its surrounding countryside. Visitors can reach its summit by cable car where they can enjoy panoramic views from an observation deck or explore one of several hiking trails. Tokushima also has numerous parks and gardens perfect for relaxing or indulging outdoor activities. Shinmachi River Park runs along both sides of Shinmachi River featuring walking paths, Playgrounds, Picnic areas, And even a small zoo. For history buffs interested in culture, Tokushima has plenty to offer as well.

The main museum – Tokushima Castle Museum – houses artifacts related to local history along with exhibits showcasing traditional Japanese crafts such as pottery making. no trip to Tokushima would be complete without trying some local cuisine! Some must-try dishes include tokoroten (a type of jelly made from seaweed), Sudachi (a citrus fruit unique to Shikoku), Sanuki udon (thick noodles served with various toppings), And awa odori chicken (grilled chicken marinated in soy sauce). Overall, Whether you’re interested in nature or culture – or simply want to experience some delicious food – there’s something for everyone visiting Tokushima!

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1. Awa Odori Kaikan: This museum is dedicated to the famous Awa Odori dance festival held annually in Tokushima.
2. Naruto Whirlpools: These natural whirlpools form in the Naruto Strait between Tokushima and Awaji Island.
3. Mount Bizan: This mountain offers stunning views of Tokushima city and its surroundings.
4. Ryozenji Temple: This is one of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage route in Japan.
5. Otsuka Museum of Art: The museum houses over 1,000 replicas of famous Western masterpieces, including works by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh.
6. Tokushima Castle Ruins Park: The ruins offer a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past and provide beautiful views of the city below.
7. Hiwasa Beach: Located on the southern coast of Tokushima, this beach is known for its clear waters and scenic beauty.
8. Iya Valley: This remote valley offers stunning natural scenery, traditional Japanese architecture, and outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.
9. Awa Jurobe Yashiki Museum: The museum showcases traditional Japanese folk performing arts such as puppetry, storytelling, music, dance etc.
10. Mt Tsurugi: The second highest peak on Shikoku Island offers breathtaking views from its summit.

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1. Agriculture: Tokushima is known for its production of mandarin oranges, sweet potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables.
2. Manufacturing: The city has a strong manufacturing sector with companies producing machinery, textiles, chemicals, and electronics.
3. Tourism: Tokushima is famous for its Awa Odori dance festival which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The city also has many historical sites such as temples and castles that attract tourists.
4. Fishing: With its location near the Sea of Japan, fishing is an important industry in the region.
5. Healthcare: There are several hospitals and clinics in Tokushima that offer medical services to the local population as well as international patients.
6. Education: Tokushima University is a major educational institution in the region offering undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields including medicine, engineering, agriculture etc.
7. Retail trade: There are several shopping centers and department stores located throughout the city that cater to both locals and tourists alike.

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1. Awa Odori Festival: This is one of the most famous festivals in Japan and takes place in Tokushima every year during August. It is a traditional dance festival that has been held for over 400 years.
2. Hachisuka Iemasa: He was a daimyo (feudal lord) who ruled over Tokushima during the Edo period (1603-1868). He was known for his efforts to modernize the region by promoting agriculture, education, and trade.
3. Taisuke Itagaki: He was a political activist who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912). He was born in Kochi but later moved to Tokushima where he founded the Liberal Party and advocated for democracy and social reform.
4. Ryoma Sakamoto: He was a prominent figure in Japanese history who played a key role in overthrowing the shogunate government during the late Edo period. Although he was not from Tokushima, he spent some time there as part of his efforts to unite various factions against the shogunate.
5. Naruto Strait: This strait separates Awaji Island from Shikoku Island and is known for its strong tidal currents that create whirlpools called Naruto Whirlpools. The strait has been an important transportation route between Osaka Bay and Seto Inland Sea since ancient times.
6. Otsuka Museum of Art: This museum houses over 1,000 replicas of famous Western paintings including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet among others. It is located in Naruto City.
7. Aizumi Town: This town is known for its traditional paper-making industry which dates back to the Edo period. The paper produced here is called Awa Washi and is known for its durability and beauty.

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• This park features beautiful gardens
• It also has a traditional Japanese tea house

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Sports Teams

1. Tokushima Vortis Football Club – Founded in 1955, Tokushima Vortis is a professional football club that currently plays in the J2 League. The team has never won a major trophy but has been promoted to the J1 League once in 2014.
2. Awa Odori Soccer – Awa Odori Soccer is a semi-professional football club based in Tokushima City. The team was founded in 1979 and currently plays in the Shikoku Soccer League.
3. Naruto Basketball Club – Naruto Basketball Club is a professional basketball team based in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. The team was founded in 2006 and currently plays in the B.League Division 2.
4. Sanuki Violets Volleyball Team – Sanuki Violets Volleyball Team is a women’s volleyball team based in Kagawa Prefecture but with strong connections to Tokushima as well. The team was founded by former Japanese national coach Masayoshi Manabe and has won several titles including the Empress’s Cup three times.
5. Tsurugi Baseball Club – Tsurugi Baseball Club is an amateur baseball club based on Tsurugi Island, part of Kamiyama Town, Myōzai District, Tokushima Prefecture. Despite being an amateur club, they have had success at national level tournaments such as the National High School Baseball Championship and National Junior College Athletic Association Baseball Championship.

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Cultural Events

1. Awa Odori Festival is a well-known traditional dance festival held in Tokushima every August, attracting millions of visitors from Japan and around the world.
2. Naruto Whirlpool Festival celebrates the natural phenomenon of whirlpools occurring between Tokushima and Awaji Island, held twice a year in April and October.
3. Tokushima International Film Festival showcases international films from all over the world, held annually in October.
4. Tokushima Prefectural Citizens’ Day is celebrated on November 15th to honor local culture and traditions with parades, performances, and food stalls.
5. Awa Takamatsu Matsuri takes place in August in Takamatsu city featuring traditional music performances and fireworks displays.
6. Iya Valley Autumn Leaves Festival celebrates autumn foliage with guided hikes through Iya Valley’s beautiful forests and mountains, held every November.
7. Niihama Taiko Matsuri is a drumming festival taking place in Niihama city during July featuring taiko drumming performances by local groups.
8. Mima Fireworks Festival occurs near Mima city’s Oboke Gorge area every August with thousands of visitors enjoying spectacular views of colorful fireworks displays illuminating the gorge at night.

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Cuisine

1. Awa Odori: This is a traditional dance festival in Tokushima that occurs every August. During the festival, there are numerous food stalls selling local delicacies such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and takoyaki (octopus balls).
2. Iya Soba: This is a type of buckwheat noodle dish that is unique to the Iya Valley in Tokushima. It is usually served cold with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi.
3. Sudachi: This is a small citrus fruit that grows only in Tokushima and is used to flavor many local dishes such as sashimi, tempura, and grilled fish.
4. Otsuka Sushi: This sushi restaurant has been serving customers for over 100 years and is famous for its fresh seafood sourced from the nearby Naruto Strait.
5. Shikoku Ramen Santoka: This ramen chain originated in Hokkaido but has since expanded throughout Japan including Tokushima. Their signature dish features rich pork broth topped with tender slices of pork belly.
6. Katsuo no Tataki Yamatoyo Honten: This restaurant specializes in katsuo no tataki which is lightly seared bonito fish served with soy sauce and grated ginger.
7. Udon Baka Ichidai: As the name suggests, this udon shop serves up delicious bowls of thick noodles topped with various toppings such as tempura or beef stew.
8. Yoroppaken Izakaya Tachibana Shoten: This izakaya offers a wide variety of Japanese pub food including yakitori skewers, grilled seafood, and fried snacks all paired perfectly with cold beer or sake.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Tokushima Central Park
2. Awa Odori Kaikan (dance museum)
3. Mt. Bizan Ropeway and Observatory
4. Tokushima Prefectural Museum
5. Otsuka Museum of Art (replica of famous Western art pieces)
6. Tokushima Castle Ruins Park
7. Shinmachi River Terrace (scenic walkway along the river)
8. Naruto Whirlpools Boat Tour
9. Mt Tsurugi hiking trail
10. Awa Jinja Shrine

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Leave Footprints In The Sand.

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