Most vacationers don’t have tiny Shikoku island on their radars. However I can inform you from expertise that when you uncover it, it’s exhausting to neglect.
Since my first journey there virtually a decade in the past, I’ve tried to return to Shikoku as usually as potential, at the least as soon as each different yr—yearly if I can. And whereas I like in every single place I’ve been on the island, for various causes, town’s in its north and east have turn out to be essentially the most resonant with me.
The excellent news? Should you play your playing cards proper, you gained’t have to decide on Tokushima or Takamatsu—you’ll have time to go to each. The higher information? Should you completely should determine, I may also help you make the best choose.
Why I Love Each Tokushima and Takamatsu
I’ll be frank: Takamatsu and Tokushima aren’t two cities whose names nearly all of first-time vacationers (and even fifth-time vacationers) to Japan would acknowledge. Individually, I’d by no means heard of both till my first journey to Shikoku, previous which level I couldn’t neglect them. Tokushima was particular to me as a result of it was the place I landed on the island, and was due to this fact my formative expertise there.
Takamatsu, alternatively, was extra of a substantive kind of affection. After being blown away (fairly actually—it was blustery!) on a wet stroll by the superlative Ritusrin Koen backyard, day journeys to each Kotohira-gu shrine and Marugame Fort left me with the impression that Takamatsu was considered one of Japan’s best-kept secrets and techniques. A subsequent sakura journey strengthened this.
Tokushima
Methods to Examine Tokushima with Takamatsu
Sights
Throughout the metropolis heart, Takamatsu most likely has extra issues to see than Tokushima. You’ve obtained Ritsurin Koen, most significantly, but additionally the Takamatsu Fort Ruins (which aren’t actually “ruined”), to not point out the Takamatsu Image Tower. Against this, there isn’t rather a lot to do in central Tokushima, aside from driving the Bizan Ropeway to the highest of the mountain of the identical title, and visiting the very-ruined Tokushima Fort Ruins.
Cityscape
When evaluating Takamatsu or Tokushima, this one is somewhat tougher to say. On one hand, Takamatsu most likely has the extra spectacular and eclectic skyline, and sits closest to the close by Seto Inland Sea. Then again, Takamatsu doesn’t have any viewpoint that provides fairly as spectacular a perspective as Tokushima’s Bizan, so it’s tougher to understand town in context.
Delicacies
Takamatsu (and all of surrounding Kawaga prefecture) is legendary for its udon, which is dependable and straightforward to eat, though not essentially the most thrilling delicacies. Tokushima, in the meantime, is understood each for its personal fashion of ramen and for sanchiku, or three sorts of grilled meat. If I’m sincere, none of those meals are amongst my “must-eats” each time I come to Japan, so for me this class is a wash.
Day journeys
Each cities have wonderful day journeys. From Takamatsu, you possibly can go by prepare to Marugame Fort or Kotohira-gu shrine (on the identical day if you need); you want a rental automotive to go to the Takaya-jinja “sky gate,” whereas Megijima island is accessible by boat. Talking of boats, you possibly can trip one by the Naruto Whirlpools close to Tokushima, whose different major day journey is to the indigo dyeing (aizome) city of Kofukucho.
Occasions
As you’ll know should you’ve explored the Shikoku part of this weblog a lot, Tokushima is the place the Awa Odori Pageant (considered one of Japan’s most well-known summer season matsuri) takes place each August. Takamatsu, against this, has nothing of an excellent carefully comparable scale. With this being mentioned, I’d say Takamatsu has extra seasonal variation in its vegetation, which makes it extra spectacular in that regard.
Takamatsu
How Many Days Do You Want in Tokushima? What About Takamatsu?
Each Tokushima and Takamatsu are medium-sized cities, with a number of day journeys from every, along with plentiful city-center sights. Should you’re solely visiting considered one of these two cities, I counsel spending three days. In Tokushima, this enables for excursions both to the Naruto Whirlpools, Iya Valley or to Kokufu-cho for indigo dyeing. In Takamatsu, you can also make excursions to Marugame Fort, Kotohira-gu shrine and probably additionally Takaya-jinja.
After all, if it’s not a matter ofTokushima vs Takamatsu, and you’ve got time to go to each, you’ve gotten extra flexibility. For instance, you might plan on spending two days in every metropolis, after which an evening within the Iya Valley between them. This might can help you take simply at some point journey from both metropolis (more likely to Kotohira-gu and to the Naruto Whirlpools) and do a better-rounded Shikoku journey.
Different FAQ About Visiting Tokushima and Takamatsu
Is it price visiting Takamatsu?
Takamatsu is a metropolis I like extra each time I go to. Whether or not I’m within the metropolis heart consuming udon after a stroll by Ritusrin backyard, or taking day journeys to Marugame Fort or Kotohira-gu and Takaya-jinja shrines, Shikoku’s northern metropolis is considered one of Japan’s most underrated vacationer locations.
Is Tokushima price visiting?
Should you’ve by no means heard of Tokushima, as I hadn’t the primary time I went there…nicely, let’s simply say it’s a metropolis whose title you’ll always remember. From the well-known awa odori dance custom within the metropolis heart, to indigo dyeing and ocean whirlpools on the periphery, Tokushima’s massive mojo for vacationers belies its small measurement.
What’s Tokushima recognized for?
Tokushima is understood amongst Japanese folks before everything for awa odori, which is among the most well-known summer season matsuri within the nation. Amongst vacationers, it’s additionally widespread as a gateway to the distinctive Naruto Whirlpools, and as a chance to expertise the aizome indigo dyeing custom.
The Backside Line
Relaxation assured: Whether or not you go to Tokushima or Takamatsu, you’ll get an attractive impression of Shikoku. These cities, nestled alongside the japanese and northern coasts of Japan’s smallest major island, respectively, each punch far above their weight. That is significantly the case, for Tokushima, should you’re in a position to go to in mid-August throughout the annual Awa Odori Pageant. After all, irrespective of when you find yourself with the ability to make your journey, the evergreen magnificence every of those locations possesses is one thing you’ll always remember. One other approach to make sure your Japan travels are unforgettable? Rent me to plan them!