Hidden Tokushima

03/06/2026

Ochiai Village, the morning after the storm… 🌧️

📍 Google Maps:
Ochiai Village Observatory
落合集落展望所

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June 2026 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

02/06/2026

Shiozuka Highlands 🌱 Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan

Join me for a stroll around the grasslands, high up on the windy mountain border between Tokushima and Ehime. ⛰️

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June 2026 | Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市

#三好かんこう

29/05/2026

The best time to climb Mt. Tsurugi? ⛰️ … well, technically late October, when the fall colours are in full swing, but since October is such a busy season at our office, we’ll take May-June as an alternative!

Why this season? An excellent question. It’s just before the summer heat drops and drowns us in its heavy, humid veil, so you can still comfortably hike the heights! But isn’t June the rainy season, you ask? Yes, but sometimes June has great weather, too! We’ve now lucked out two years in a row. ✨ As long as you watch the weather carefully, you can successfully plan a climb.

☀️🌧️ Check our All About Mt. Tsurugi page for weather at the summit the night before you go! Checking the weather forecast down below isn’t enough, since the mountain conditions can change very quickly.

⚠️ Note that the Mt. Tsurugi bus will not be running in June, but will be back in July.
Taxi plans are still available on our website!

⛰️ All about Mt. Tsurugi 🥾
Link in comments!

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May 2026 | Nishi-Awa, Tokushima
徳島県にし阿波

29/05/2026

Planning a trip to Western Tokushima? New video up on YouTube! ☺🔥

Explore the undiscovered Japan--rich in tradition and beauty, beyon...

26/05/2026

Flames rise at Mitsugonji’s Fire Festival 🔥(Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan)
See our latest post for more details!

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May 2026 | Ikeda, Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市池田町

#あわさぽ #三好かんこう

22/05/2026

Mitsugonji’s Fire Festival 🔥

Last weekend, Mitsugonji held its Fire Festival in Nishiyama, Ikeda! These Buddhist fire rituals are a fascinating sight: during the main ritual, a huge wooden frame is draped in cedar branches and set aflame, creating massive plumes of smoke as the flames devour the leaves and blacken the wood. Once the smoke calms, the monks continue to chant and toss the wooden planks of the attendees’ prayers and wishes into the flames. The fire is believed to purify negative energies and help the wishes come to fruition.

There are many additional elements to the ceremony, such as shooting an arrow near the audience, which provides luck to whoever picks it up. After the fire dies down, the monks gather the ashes and pound them down into a pathway of embers that people can cross, holding paper charms and praying as they do.

These types of festivals are open to the public, and although they do have the sober air of religious ceremony, there is a cheerful air, as well, created by the attendees and various food stalls, as well.

Mitsugonji welcomes visitors any time of the year, although the temple is particularly famous for its peonies, sheltered from the snow in winter and blooming bright late April to mid-May.

Google Maps:
Mitsugon Temple (密厳寺)

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May 2026 | Ikeda, Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市池田町

13/05/2026

Fresh from the Mountains: The Aruse Tea Harvest 🍵

Again this year, we were invited to harvest sencha tea in the mountains of Aruse. 🍃 This stunning region is located in Miyoshi, Tokushima, near the border of Kochi Prefecture. Every year, the Hiramatsu family welcomes visitors for a one-day tea picking experience to enjoy the fresh beauty of nature and connect with the wonderful community. ♥️

For me, this is one of my favourite seasons and experiences, and something that really reveals the heart of Tokushima. My friend Hila says, “During the tea harvesting, we could see the interactions between people, uniting and working together towards a common goal, making for an environment that anyone can take part in and feel like their contributions matter. This is something we as foreigners rarely get to experience. People in the countryside of Tokushima are so welcoming!”

As always, thank you to the Hiramatsu family for opening your farm to us! ♥️

Although this experience is only once a year, if you’re interested in visiting Nishi-Awa or trying a similar countryside experience, check out our website to learn about seasonal activities or make direct reservations! ✨

⭐ Learn more:
https://nishi-awa.jp/english/reserve/

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May 2026 | Aruse, Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市西祖谷山村有瀬

08/05/2026

Experience Tea Picking Season (May & June Only) 🍵🍃
Making Bancha Tea in Tokuzen Village

⭐ For more info & booking, check the link in the comments!

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Nishi Iya, Miyoshi, Tokushima
徳島県三好市西祖谷

#三好かんこう

03/05/2026

Kanjo Waterfall | Mima, Tokushima 🌱

Right off the main road, this waterfall is a refreshing stop, and especially beautiful after a rainfall. 🌧️

Google Maps:
Kanjo Falls
閑定の滝

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May 2026 | Mima, Tokushima
徳島県美馬市