[2025 Miyoshi Attraction] Travel Guide for Ōboke Station (Updated Jul)

#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025 On a drizzling April day when cherry blossoms were in full bloom, I visited Oboke in the Shikoku Mountains, a very quiet train station with few people. I crossed the railway and strolled along the Oboke Valley stream. Although it was drizzling, walking on the trail with an umbrella among the blooming cherry blossoms was also a romantic experience. Oboke Gorge, known as one of Japan's three most secret places, is a cliff valley carved by a turbulent river. It retains the beautiful and rugged undeveloped scenery of the cliff canyon and is known as one of the most scenic spots in western Japan. In spring and autumn, the canyon is covered with a sea of ​​pink cherry blossoms and fiery red maple leaves, as beautiful as a painting. The most convenient way to get to Oboke, besides driving or chartering a car, is to take the JR train, where you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. You can also take the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat down the river and admire the beauty of the turbulent river in the valley. #ShikokuTravel #Tokushima #Oboke

Oboke Gorge, located in Yamashiro Town, Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, is one of Shikoku's iconic canyon landscapes. Carved by the Yoshino River, the gorge features steep rock walls and crystal-clear blue waters. By taking a sightseeing boat, visitors can closely admire the unique rock formations and pristine waters of the gorge. The scenery changes with the seasons, offering cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter. From JR Oboke Station, you can reach the boat boarding area by taxi or a 5–10 minute walk. When leaving, the staff at the counter can assist in calling a taxi. The area is very welcoming to Taiwanese tourists, with Chinese-speaking staff available. If you're visiting Shikoku, Oboke Gorge is a must-see destination. 🕰️ Operating Hours: Boat departure times: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (departures every 30 minutes) Duration: Approximately 30 minutes 💰 Cost: Adults: ¥1,500 Children (elementary school and below): ¥750

2025.3.31 Interview This is the station that you must pass by for the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat. It is a small station with only one station attendant, and it can be said to be an unmanned station. If you buy a JR pass, the express train will stop there. On that day, I took the train from Marugame Station to Oboke Station, which was about a 2-hour ride. The scenery along the way is super beautiful, the mountains and rivers are reflected in the picture. After getting off the bus, there are cherry blossoms in full bloom in front of the station. Take a photo with the bridge, it is beautiful~ There is only a small grocery store in front of the station. The restaurant is open, but there is a sign on the door saying it is closed. It is recommended to eat before going out. We were also lucky enough to encounter the Shikoku Railway sightseeing train that day and saw the traditional local performance of blowing bubbles. The beautiful sightseeing train was well worth it! #MarchGoodDestinations2025 #JapanTravel #Railway #Hotspring #Oboke #ObokeStation

Unlock Authentic Japan in Tokushima Want to experience the most authentic side of Japan? Tokushima is a must-visit! As the birthplace of Awa Odori, Tokushima hosts a vibrant Awa Dance Festival every August. Dancers, adorned in colorful costumes, move energetically to the rhythm of cheerful drums, showcasing the passion and vitality of traditional Japanese folk customs. Tokushima's natural beauty is equally captivating. The spectacular whirlpools of the Naruto Strait and the deep canyons of Oboke and Koboke are wonders of nature. And don't forget the smooth and chewy Sanuki Udon noodles – each bite bursts with authentic Japanese flavor.

👍Recommended reasons: Tokushima will break your stereotypes. Here you can find stunning natural landscapes, a charming cat shrine, unique Awa Odori performances, and abundant cuisine. Whether you're a nature lover or a culture seeker, you'll find something to enjoy. 📍Location of attractions: The Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat and Iya Valley Vine Bridge are located near Miyoshi City; Oji Shrine, Otsuka Museum of Art, Naruto Bridge, Awa Odori Kaikan, Mount Bizan, and Tokushima Central Park are in Tokushima City; Naruto whirlpools are in the Naruto area. 🚗Transportation: 1️⃣ Driving is recommended for attractions in Miyoshi City, as the roads are narrow and winding. 2️⃣ Public transportation, mainly buses, is the primary mode of transport within Tokushima City. Check routes in advance on Google Maps, as the bus platforms and routes at Tokushima Station can be complex. 3️⃣ To reach the Naruto whirlpools, transfer to a bus at JR Naruto Station and get off at Kameuraguchi or Naruto Park; Yoshino River cruise is a 5-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station; Awa Odori Kaikan and Mount Bizan are a 10-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station, and the cable car to Mount Bizan is on the 5th floor of Awa Odori Kaikan; Tokushima Central Park is behind JR Tokushima Station. 👣Itinerary: 1️⃣ On the first day, visit the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat in the morning, go to the Iya Valley Vine Bridge in the afternoon, and check in to Kazuraya, a Japanese-style hotel, in the evening to experience the open-air hot springs. 2️⃣ On the second day, visit Oji Shrine to pet cats, then go to the Otsuka Museum of Art to see the exhibitions, and then go to Naruto Bridge for sightseeing. In the evening, enjoy the food at Wagamamaya Izakaya. 🍗Food recommendations: 1️⃣ Tokushima ramen, tastes good but is a bit salty; 2️⃣ Ice cream and chips made from Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes. 👍Must-see attractions: Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat, Iya Valley Vine Bridge, Oji Shrine, Naruto whirlpools, Awa Odori Kaikan. 🎫Tickets: 1️⃣ Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat: JPY 1,500/person, credit cards and cash accepted. 2️⃣ Iya Valley Vine Bridge: JPY 550, cash or Japanese PayPay only. 3️⃣ Otsuka Museum of Art: JPY 3,300. 4️⃣ Naruto whirlpools sightseeing boat and Uzunomichi: Combination tickets available, prices for sightseeing boats vary. 5️⃣ Yoshino River cruise: JPY 400. 6️⃣ Awa Odori Kaikan: JPY 800 during the day, JPY 1,000 at night. 7️⃣ Mount Bizan cable car: JPY 1,030 round trip. 8️⃣ Tokushima Castle Museum: JPY 500, old garden: JPY 50. 💖Other tips: 1️⃣ There are many mosquitoes in the mountains, so remember to bring mosquito repellent if you are staying in the mountains. 2️⃣ The high tide time for the Naruto whirlpools varies daily, check the official website in advance; for sightseeing boats, the 80-person small boat from Kameuraguchi is recommended, no reservation required. 3️⃣ The staff of the Yoshino River cruise are very enthusiastic, so feel free to ask about the departure times. Night cruises are recommended. 4️⃣ There are introductions in Chinese for the Awa Odori Kaikan performances, but the experience is better if you understand Japanese.

Tokushima Prefecture, located in southwestern Japan, sits in the eastern part of the Shikoku region. It borders the Kii Channel to the east, Kochi Prefecture to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and Kagawa Prefecture to the north. Tokushima Prefecture has many attractions worth visiting. Here are some of the main ones: Natural Landscapes - Naruto Strait: Located between Naruto and Awaji Island, this strait is the intersection of the Seto Inland Sea and the Kii Channel. Countless whirlpools, large and small, are created during high and low tides, with the largest reaching diameters of 20 to 30 meters. Spring and autumn are the best times to view them. - Oboke and Koboke Gorges: Located in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, these gorges were formed by the Yoshino River eroding the rocks over 200 million years, creating a valley with steep cliffs and clear streams. Take a leisurely boat trip down the gentler Oboke Gorge or experience whitewater rafting in the winding Koboke Gorge, known for some of Japan's fastest rapids. - Iya Kazurabashi Bridge: Known as one of Japan's three most unusual bridges, this vine bridge is constructed from naturally growing kudzu vines. Surrounded by trees, with the Iya River flowing below, it offers different scenery each season: blooming wisteria in spring, fresh greenery in summer, colorful autumn leaves, and a spectacular snowy landscape in winter. History and Culture - Awa Odori Kaikan: This facility allows visitors to enjoy Tokushima's famous Awa Odori dance year-round. It also houses the Awa Odori Museum, which displays costumes, musical instruments, and other artifacts related to the dance, allowing visitors to learn about its history and even dance with the performers. - Kotohira-gū (Konpira Shrine): Located in Kotohira Town, this shrine is one of Shikoku's famous cherry blossom viewing spots, with 3,500 cherry trees stretching from the foot to the middle of the mountain. It is also a renowned Shinto shrine in the Shikoku region, dedicated to the god of safe seafaring and commercial prosperity. Its unique architectural style reflects a rich historical and cultural atmosphere. - Shikoku Pilgrimage: This is a temple pilgrimage route with over 1,200 years of history. The 88 temples across four prefectures are all connected to Kūkai, one of Japan's three great Buddhist monks. Join a day trip from Tokushima to visit Temples 1 through 5 and experience the solemnity and cultural heritage of these sacred sites. Art and Humanities - Otsuka Museum of Art: This museum houses exhibits from over 190 museums in 25 countries around the world. Using a special technique, world-famous paintings are reproduced on ceramic boards of the same size. The museum also features a three-dimensional replica of the interior of the Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and "The Last Judgment" on the altar wall. - Bizan Park: This high-altitude park in Tokushima City, at 290 meters above sea level, offers panoramic views of Tokushima City, the Yoshino River, and Awaji Island. The park features athletic fields, playgrounds, a public square, and a variety of flowers, making it a great place for leisure and recreation.

Beautiful view in Oboke. Managed to get to monster festival. I recommend to everyone visit, is in middle of November 🫣#festival #japan

The fantastic beauty of winter snow-white Obuki Goya, surrounded by high mountains covered with snow, Obok Gorge, Soya Creek, one of Japan's three wonder bridges Soya Vine Bridge have been replaced with white new clothes #September Good Places 2024 #Snow View

#besttrip2023 #Tokushima #Oboke This is the Oboke area in Tokushima Prefecture. When you get off at Oboke Station, you'll see a magnificent view. When you think of Tokushima Prefecture, you probably have many opportunities to go to areas such as Tokushima City and do some sightseeing, but why not try visiting Oboke? It's a lot of fun here, as there are many facilities and spots related to yokai. There are plenty of tourist spots to visit on foot after getting off the train, so I think you'll have a lot of fun! Please go!

#JapaneseAttractions #Shikoku #OBOK #Iya Manbashi The three most secret places in Japan are Shirakawa-go Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture, Shiiba Village in Miyazaki Prefecture, and Ōboke Iya in Tokushima. This trip to Takamatsu was specially arranged to visit Oboke. Takamatsu takes about an hour and a half by JR. Dabu Ke Station is an unmanned station. After walking out of the station, you will see houses and shops. The bus station is also nearby. There are buses running through various scenic spots in Dabuwei, such as the Vine Bridge and the tour boat boarding area. However, the bus frequency is less frequent, so it is recommended to arrange your trip in advance. If you don't take the bus, you can also walk slowly along the trails beside the highway. The scenery along the way is also beautiful. The first stop is the famous secret spot, Iya Vine Bridge. After getting off the bus, you can walk a short distance to the entrance. If you don’t want to walk through the vine bridge, you can admire the vine bridge and take photos on the opposite cement bridge. There is a fee to cross the vine bridge, 550 yen for adults and 350 yen for children. You can only cross the vine bridge in one direction from the toll office, and you cannot swing on it. Although the vine bridge will be reinforced and repaired regularly, when you walk up it, you will find that the vine bridge will sway slightly, and the gap between the pedals is very wide. Fortunately, the vine bridge is not long, so you can walk slowly and concentrate on it, and it will take a few minutes to complete it. When walking across the vine bridge, you need to be careful with your personal belongings to avoid slipping off. After walking over the Manqiao bridge, you can go further to Pipa Waterfall, a small waterfall, but the river water is also clear, so it’s good for taking pictures.