Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture is an administrative unit on Shikoku island, stretching from the Seto Inland Sea in the north to the Pacific Ocean in the east. The territory includes mountain ranges in the west and a coastal plain around the capital that extends along the Yoshino River.

The territory was known as Awa Province until 1880, named after an ancient tribal people who lived in the region. The conversion into a prefecture occurred during the administrative reforms Japan carried out following the return to imperial rule.

The traditional puppets of Bunraku theater were developed in the region and are still shown in performances where multiple puppeteers move each figure together. Visitors can see the detailed wooden puppets and elaborate costumes characteristic of this art form in several theaters and museums.

Most visitors reach the prefecture through bridge connections from Kansai or by domestic flights to the regional airport. The road network connects larger towns to each other, while some rural areas require a personal vehicle.

The gorge of Iya is among the deepest valleys in the country and is spanned by suspension bridges originally woven from vines. Some of these bridges are still renewed today following old tradition and offer an unusual view of the river below.

Location: Japan

Inception: March 2, 1880

Capital city: Tokushima

Shares border with: Ehime Prefecture, Kōchi Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Hyōgo Prefecture

Website: https://pref.tokushima.lg.jp/ko/japanese

GPS coordinates: 34.06556,134.55917

Latest update: December 4, 2025 14:21