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| Road trip buddy |
Like Yamagata, Tokushima is one of those regions where having a car is essential to get around. So, I rented one and headed to my first stop of the day: Ainoyakata, a place where visitors can try their hand at indigo dyeing. I was greeted by cheerful local elementary school volunteers who guided me through the process. As I stepped into the dye room, a distinct, earthy scent filled the air, which I later learned was the smell of the indigo plant.
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| The dyeing process |
I expected the experience to take about an hour, but I was surprised to finish in less than 30 minutes. I dyed a cotton tenugui handkerchief and then strolled through the museum, which was once the residence of a Tokushima indigo merchant. The blend of hands-on experience and cultural history was both fun and educational.
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| The kindest welcome crew |
Next on my itinerary: the Otsuka Museum of Art, home to over 1,000 ceramic reproductions of famous artworks, all created using Otsuka Ohmi Ceramics' special technology. According to the travel guides, exploring the whole museum would take around three hours. Prepared with my comfiest shoes and trusty backpack, I stepped into the world of art. It was fascinating to see ceramic versions of masterpieces by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci, and many others. Oddly enough, seeing them made me want to experience the originals even more. When it was time for lunch, I headed to Restaurant Garden, which seemed a bit less crowded (though still bustling...it was Awa Odori week, after all).
 | | Girl with a Pearl Earring |
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| Chicken plate inspired by Monet's Water Lilies |
With more time left than I expected, I decided to explore a few local shrines and temples. First was Ōasahiko Shrine, dedicated to Ōasahiko-no-Okami, the goddess of food, and Sarutahiko-no-Ōkami, the leader of the earthly gods. Then I made my way to Ryozenji Temple, the first stop on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Naturally, I had to follow up with Gokurakuji Temple, the second temple on the route, just a short drive away. Growing up, I never had much interest in temples or shrines, but over time, I've come to appreciate their architecture, atmosphere, and spiritual significance. Visiting them has become a personal travel tradition.
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| Ōasahiko Shrine |
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Inside Ryozenji Temple
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After returning the rental car and resting a bit at the hotel, I headed out again without a dinner plan. But as luck would have it, the ramen shop I'd been eyeing had a surprisingly short line! I jumped at the chance to try
Tokushima Ramen, and it did not disappoint.
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| Yum! |
That evening marked the final day of the Awa Odori Festival, and the energy in the air was even more electrifying than the night before. The crowds seemed larger, the buzz even louder. After treating myself to a refreshing bowl of shaved ice, I made my way to the Aibahama venue, eager for more performances.
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| Beautiful and bursting with energy! |
I thought I'd seen it all yesterday, but as it turned out, I was wrong. Once again, I was absolutely captivated. The rhythm, the form, the joy...it was pure magic all over again. The louder the crowd cheered, the brighter the smiles and the livelier the dancing from the performers. It's incredible how a performance can draw people together like that.
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| Obsessed with the outfit! |
The trip was more than I had bargained for, and I'm so glad I chose Tokushima as my first destination for solo travel. Here's hoping I can travel more often next year.
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