Tokushima is the capital of Tokushima Prefecture on the eastern side of Shikoku, where several rivers meet the sea and mountains rise beyond the urban area. The city is closely identified with Awa Odori, a traditional dance that fills streets with performers and musicians during its annual festival. Tokushima also serves as a useful base for exploring the wider prefecture, including the Naruto Strait, the Iya Valley, and sections of the Shikoku pilgrimage. Its setting between waterways, hills, and the Pacific-facing coast gives the city a strong connection to the landscapes and traditions of eastern Shikoku.

Awa Odori is central to Tokushima’s cultural identity and is performed by organized dance groups as well as informal participants. The Awa Odori Kaikan provides exhibitions about the dance and regular performances, allowing its music, costumes, and movements to be experienced outside the main festival period. Tokushima also has a long association with indigo production, reflected in local crafts and traditional dyeing. Nearby temples connect the area with the Shikoku pilgrimage, while Tokushima Castle Ruins Park preserves remnants of the former castle grounds and offers views across the city from its elevated setting.

Mount Bizan rises directly beside central Tokushima and can be reached by ropeway, with walking paths and viewpoints overlooking the city and surrounding rivers. The wider prefecture offers several distinctive landscapes. In Naruto, tidal currents in the Naruto Strait create large whirlpools beneath the Onaruto Bridge, which can be viewed from the Uzu-no-Michi glass-floored walkway or from sightseeing boats. Farther west, the Iya Valley cuts through the mountains with steep river gorges, vine bridges, and traditional thatched houses. These contrasting environments make Tokushima a convenient starting point for exploring both coast and mountains.

Tokushima’s food reflects the agricultural and coastal resources of Shikoku. Tokushima ramen is a local specialty, commonly served with a rich pork-and-soy broth, sliced pork, and a raw egg. Sudachi, a small green citrus fruit strongly associated with the prefecture, is used to add acidity to fish, noodles, and other dishes. The region is also known for Awa chicken and sweet potatoes, while Naruto produces wakame seaweed and seafood from the surrounding waters. Indigo dyeing remains another distinctive local tradition, connecting Tokushima’s present-day crafts with the agricultural and commercial heritage of Awa.