Nishi-Awa Contents

Mt. Tsurugi Autumn Foliage Festival is an annual autumn event held in October on Mt.Tsurugi, a renowned mountain in Tokushima, Shikoku.

From the top of the mountain to Minokoshi, the colorful autumn leaves gradually color the mountain. Unlike artificial gardens, the natural scenery is dynamic and breathtaking. The coloring and atmosphere completely differs depending on the time of day, so there is always something new to discover no matter how many times you see it.

The festival runs for the entire month of October 1st to 31st.
In early October, an opening ceremony with shamisen music and rice cake -throwing may be held in front of the Minokoshi and Mt. Tsurugi Tourist Center.

During the festival period, visitors who spend 1,000 yen or more at participating shops will receive a limited-edition souvenir—available to the first 1,000 people only!
(*Note: Souvenirs vary by shop.)

Come and enjoy the stunning autumn landscapes of Mt. Tsurugi and experience a truly special moment in nature.

Hashikura Temple, located in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, is a historic temple of the Shingon sect known for enshrining Konpira Daigongen, the guardian deity of seafarers and travelers. Often referred to as the “Konpira of Shikoku,” it draws many pilgrims and visitors throughout the year. The temple is nestled in the mountains and can be reached by ropeway, offering scenic views along the way.

Every year on April 12 and November 12, a special grand Buddhist ritual known as the "Daihannya Tendo Ceremony" is solemnly held to pray for the fulfillment of the devotees’ wishes. These dates mark the festival days of the temple’s deity.

After the ceremony, the traditional “Fuku Mochi Nage” (lucky rice cake toss) will be held. Participants have a chance to catch rice cakes and win various prizes—a fun and festive way to conclude the day.

Everyone is warmly invited to visit with family and friends to experience this unique cultural and spiritual event in the heart of Shikoku.

Held atop Mt. Tsurugi, the second-highest peak in western Japan (1,955m)

This sacred festival, rich with tradition, is held each year on the summit of Mt. Tsurugi, a revered mountain long regarded as a spiritual site. The ceremony centers around a solemn mikoshi (portable shrine) procession, honoring two deities—Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Emperor Antoku.

Approximately 100 participants, dressed in traditional white garments, carry the mikoshi across the mountaintop, forming a striking procession as they move in unison through slopes covered in dwarf bamboo (kumasasa). Set at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, with clouds seeming just within reach, the festival exudes a profound spiritual presence.

More than just a ritual, this event is a powerful reminder of the reverence for nature and the enduring faith passed down through generations.

For those seeking a deeper connection, the festival offers a special opportunity: the One-Day Shugyō Experience. Participants can join as mikoshi bearers, purify their spirit, and take part in an ancient tradition amidst the clear mountain air and sacred atmosphere.

For two exciting days, the town of Tsurugi is filled with the vibrant spirit of Awa Odori, one of Tokushima’s most beloved traditions.
Even before the sun sets, you can hear the rhythmic sounds of shamisen, drums, and joyful calls echoing throughout the town—it's clear that the celebration has already begun.

By nightfall, the historic Sadamitsu Chuo Shopping Street, known for its traditional Udatsu-style townscape, transforms into a lively stage of dance.
Food stalls line the streets, and energetic dancers fill the roads, moving in unison to the beat of the music. The sounds of instruments, dancers' chants, and audience applause fill the summer air.

Enjoy an unforgettable evening in Tsurugi—a magical summer night filled with tradition, rhythm, and joy.

On a summer evening in Tsurugi Town, approximately 1,300 fireworks light up the night sky in a gentle yet impressive display. The colorful bursts reflect off the surrounding mountains, creating a beautiful contrast against the quiet countryside.

At the festival venue, visitors can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with food stalls offering local snacks and summer treats. It’s a chance to experience a bit of traditional festival charm in a peaceful setting.

Whether you're with family or friends, the combination of soft evening breezes, distant echoes of fireworks, and warm community spirit makes for a memorable summer moment in Tsurugi Town.

On a spring evening, the Shiozuka Highlands glow red as fire dances across the land.
Located at an elevation of 1,043 meters and spanning the border between Ehime and Tokushima Prefectures, this expansive plateau is the site of a dramatic annual event known as the "controlled grass burning" or noyaki.

Conducted once a year to preserve native vegetation, maintain scenic views, and support the growth of grass used for thatching, the fire spreads across roughly 20 hectares of open highland.
In the dark, the flames slither across the ground like mythical dragons or serpents, creating a powerful and unforgettable sight.

This spring tradition has become a symbolic seasonal event in the area—marking the arrival of spring and celebrating the close relationship between people and nature.

Amano-Iwato Kagura: A Sacred Performance of Myth and Tradition
This sacred dance, performed as an offering at the shrine, is based on the ancient Japanese myth in which the sun goddess Amaterasu hides herself in the Heavenly Rock Cave (Amano-Iwato), plunging the world into darkness. Through the prayers and ritual dances of the other deities, she is eventually brought back, restoring light to the world.

Every year, as the new year begins at midnight on January 1st, this traditional kagura is performed to the sounds of flutes and drums. It is a cherished ritual, believed to have originated in the early Edo period. According to tradition, it was once performed using divine gestures atop a large single stone known as the “Kagura Stone.”

Around 1892 (Meiji 25), elements of Ise and Izumo-style kagura were incorporated into the original tradition. Although performances were halted during World War II, the kagura was revived in 1987 by the Amano-Iwato Kagura Preservation Society.

One of the few kagura performances in Tokushima Prefecture where dancers wear sacred masks, it is a rare and precious cultural event.
Each year, many people come not only for their first shrine visit of the year but also to witness this powerful and elegant performance. Visitors are also welcomed with around 300 servings of traditional year-crossing soba noodles and sacred sake, generously offered by the local Hashikita Wakaren group.

A Day When Yokai Take Over the Town!
Yamashiro & Oboke's Yokai Festival

Step into a whimsical world where legendary yokai (Japanese folk spirits) roam the streets! The ever-popular Yokai Festival features highlights like a Yokai Mikoshi (portable shrine), a Yokai band, and yokai parade.
At the same time, the Tanuki Festival invites visitors to join the fun in handmade tanuki (raccoon dog) makeup—you might just be rewarded with a little surprise!
Yamashiro Town is steeped in yokai lore, with legendary figures such as tengu, kappa, and konaki-jiji (the weeping old man). During the festival, these mystical beings gather in celebration, bringing ancient folklore to life.
The Yokai Bazaar offers delicious local treats like “Yokai Soup” made from regional ingredients, along with classic udon and soba noodles. There’s also plenty of entertainment on stage, from yokai live music to yokai talk shows—fun for all generations!
Don’t miss your chance to experience the playful, mysterious world of the yokai!

And in spring 2025, a special edition of the Shikoku Yokai Festival—Konaki-Jiji Festival—was held as a limited-time event, drawing yokai enthusiasts from across the region for a new celebration of supernatural culture!

Mt. Tsurugi (1,955 meter high) is the second highest mountain in western Japan.
Every year on April 29, the annual mountain-opening ceremony is held at Tsurugi Shrine in Higashi Iya Sugeoi, Miyoshi City, to pray for the safety of hikers.
After the ritual offering of a tamagushi (a sacred Shinto branch), around 20 local parishioners carry a portable shrine (mikoshi) and parade approximately 300 meters from the shrine grounds to the trailhead.
At the parking area in front of the lift station near the trail entrance, visitors can also enjoy a traditional mochi-maki (rice cake throwing) event.

[2025]
Mt. Tsurugi Opening Ceremony
10：30～11：30 Ritual
11：30～12：00 Mikoshi parade and ceremony
12：00～12：30 Mochi throwing
12：30 Return of Mikoshi

Experience one of the largest fireworks competitions in western Japan, where music and fireworks come together in perfect harmony.
Top-tier pyrotechnicians from across the country gather to present breathtaking displays, with over 20,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky over Tokushima.

The event takes place in Nishi-Awa, a region that is rapidly gaining global attention as a premier travel destination.
Here, majestic natural landscapes, time-honored cultural traditions, and distinctive local cuisine come together in perfect balance. Be sure to enjoy the rich offerings of Nishi-Awa through a variety of entertainment before and after the fireworks show.

The Firefly Festival is held at Yamashiro Firefly Park in Kurokawa Valley.
This event used to be an annual festival held in the Kurokawa Valley, a famous firefly viewing spot.
However, for a long time it was not opened due to a lack of local organizers, but it was newly revived in 2023 through the efforts of immigrants and others.
There will be many events such as night stalls, kitchen cars, live music, and a raffle.
Why don't you come and see fantastic fireflies in the mountain river in early summer?

On the evening of October 14, the night before the main Autumn Festival, a sacred ritual known as Yoi-miya (Evening Shrine Ceremony) takes place.

The ceremony begins with a long green bamboo pole being set up in front of the worship hall. Suspended from it is a circular sacred object called Onjiyaku, which serves as a symbolic vessel for the divine spirit. In the shrine’s courtyard, a ritual fire called Niwa-bi is lit, creating a sacred space. Through this light, it is believed that the deity descends into the Onjiyaku — a solemn moment of spiritual presence known as Kōshin (Descent of the Deity).

It is rare to find such a traditional form of autumn festival still practiced today, even within the prefecture, making this event a valuable cultural experience.

Another unique feature of the shrine is its Sacred Stone Array. Surrounding the shrine grounds are 387 upright stone slabs, each approximately 1 meter tall. These stones are made from greenish phyllite, a type of metamorphic rock that naturally splits into flat sheets. This natural form is preserved and beautifully arranged around the site, creating a powerful and sacred atmosphere.

Witness this rare blend of ancient ritual and sacred space—a timeless evening of spiritual heritage and cultural beauty.