Nature
Situated in the heart of Shikoku, the grandeur of nature is all around you in Nishi-Awa.
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Anabuki River
The Anabuki River rises on Mt. Tsurugi, flowing through Koyadaira to Anabukicho in Mima to the Yoshino River. In summer, it’s a popular leisure spot.
If you follow the Anabuki River from the plains of the north to the mountains of the south, it weaves its way through beautiful gorges that change from season to season. On its tributaries, you’ll encounter several waterfalls. -
Dodoro Waterfall
This famous waterfall has a drop of 30 m. It’s located in Shinsui Park and during July and August, it’s lit up from 7 to 9 pm, creating a fantastic scene.
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Dogama Falls
This cauldron-shaped pothole was formed in the riverbed of a narrow gorge on the Sadamitsu river. The water flows with a roar through four cauldrons, creating a unique ravine scenery. The pool of the waterfall resembles a cauldron, hence its name. Downstream, you can see further cauldrons. The contrast between the fine white spray and the greenery of the new leaves is beautiful. It’s a prefecturally designated natural monument.
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Giant Camphor Tree of Kamo
This giant camphor tree in the grounds of the former Wakamiya Shrine is over 1,000 years old. Its trunk is 19 m around, and its spreading branches resemble a forest. It’s a nationally designated natural monument.
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Minoda-no-Fuchi
This a place of grand scenic beauty where light sparkles on the surface of a clear stream.
Minoda-no-Fuchi is designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Prefecture. This deep gorge on the Yoshino River, is 100 m wide and runs for two kilometers.
There are many characterful rock formations whose names reflect the objects they’re thought to resemble. -
Mt. Tsurugi
Mt. Tsurugi located in Tsurugisan Quasi-National Park is one Japan’s 100 top mountains. Its name, which means “Sword Mountain”, is said to come from the sword of Emperor Antoku. Although it’s the second highest mountain in western Japan at 1,995 m, there’s a chairlift which makes it easy to climb.
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Nakoyama Plateau
Nakoyama Plateau extends to the northeast of Mt. Tsurugi and from Mt. Maruzasa and Mt. Akaboshi. From a height of 1,000 m, you get an unbroken 360-degree view of beautiful mountains.
There are several outdoor facilities such as Omori-no-Ike where adults and children alike can enjoy outdoor sports and camping in a pleasant location. -
Narutaki Falls
This series of three long waterfalls starts 11 km up Route 438 from Sadamitsu, Tsurugicho. The second and third falls drop straight down steep precipices into pools. With a height of 85 m, it’s the biggest in the prefecture.
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Oboke-Koboke Gorge
Oboke-Koboke is a gorge which extends for about 8 km on the Yoshino River. The naming of the gorge means ‘big danger, small danger’ which came from the saying that the place is dangerous whether you take big or small steps. Fortunately you can take a safe pleasure boat to enjoy the gorge.
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The Iya Valley Manneken Pis
This V-shaped valley with the emerald green Iya River flowing at the bottom is so deep it makes you dizzy. In the autumn, the entire slope is a patchwork of autumn leaves which you can enjoy from your car or bus.
On a rock that juts out from the road along the cliffs above the Iya River stands a Mannekin Pis. He commemorates the children and travelers who tested their courage with a similar display.
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Anabuki River
The Anabuki River rises on Mt. Tsurugi, flowing through Koyadaira to Anabukicho in Mima to the Yoshino River. In summer, it’s a popular leisure spot.
If you follow the Anabuki River from the plains of the north to the mountains of the south, it weaves its way through beautiful gorges that change from season to season. On its tributaries, you’ll encounter several waterfalls. -
Dodoro Waterfall
This famous waterfall has a drop of 30 m. It’s located in Shinsui Park and during July and August, it’s lit up from 7 to 9 pm, creating a fantastic scene.
-
Dogama Falls
This cauldron-shaped pothole was formed in the riverbed of a narrow gorge on the Sadamitsu river. The water flows with a roar through four cauldrons, creating a unique ravine scenery. The pool of the waterfall resembles a cauldron, hence its name. Downstream, you can see further cauldrons. The contrast between the fine white spray and the greenery of the new leaves is beautiful. It’s a prefecturally designated natural monument.
-
Giant Camphor Tree of Kamo
This giant camphor tree in the grounds of the former Wakamiya Shrine is over 1,000 years old. Its trunk is 19 m around, and its spreading branches resemble a forest. It’s a nationally designated natural monument.
-
Minoda-no-Fuchi
This a place of grand scenic beauty where light sparkles on the surface of a clear stream.
Minoda-no-Fuchi is designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Prefecture. This deep gorge on the Yoshino River, is 100 m wide and runs for two kilometers.
There are many characterful rock formations whose names reflect the objects they’re thought to resemble. -
Mt. Tsurugi
Mt. Tsurugi located in Tsurugisan Quasi-National Park is one Japan’s 100 top mountains. Its name, which means “Sword Mountain”, is said to come from the sword of Emperor Antoku. Although it’s the second highest mountain in western Japan at 1,995 m, there’s a chairlift which makes it easy to climb.
-
Nakoyama Plateau
Nakoyama Plateau extends to the northeast of Mt. Tsurugi and from Mt. Maruzasa and Mt. Akaboshi. From a height of 1,000 m, you get an unbroken 360-degree view of beautiful mountains.
There are several outdoor facilities such as Omori-no-Ike where adults and children alike can enjoy outdoor sports and camping in a pleasant location. -
Narutaki Falls
This series of three long waterfalls starts 11 km up Route 438 from Sadamitsu, Tsurugicho. The second and third falls drop straight down steep precipices into pools. With a height of 85 m, it’s the biggest in the prefecture.
-
Oboke-Koboke Gorge
Oboke-Koboke is a gorge which extends for about 8 km on the Yoshino River. The naming of the gorge means ‘big danger, small danger’ which came from the saying that the place is dangerous whether you take big or small steps. Fortunately you can take a safe pleasure boat to enjoy the gorge.
-
The Iya Valley Manneken Pis
This V-shaped valley with the emerald green Iya River flowing at the bottom is so deep it makes you dizzy. In the autumn, the entire slope is a patchwork of autumn leaves which you can enjoy from your car or bus.
On a rock that juts out from the road along the cliffs above the Iya River stands a Mannekin Pis. He commemorates the children and travelers who tested their courage with a similar display.