Nishi-Awa Contents

In the small town of Tsurugi, the district of Handa prides itself for its long history with unique, hand-pulled noodles known as somen. The chewy texture and unusual thickness puts this noodle somewhere between ramen and udon, though its flavour is unalike either. It’s wheaty and robust and can handle the heat better than regular, delicate somen, making it perfect to enjoy hot, as well.

This unique form of somen has been handed down in Nishi-Awa for centuries. The secret to the recipe was delivered in the mid-Edo period, when the Yoshino River was the main means of transportation between Tokushima City and Miyoshi, and along the way the village of Handa developed a love for the noodles, making it an industry in the region that thrives to this day.

"Ikeda Night Market” is held on the second Sunday of every month at Frespo Awa Ikeda in Ikeda Town.
The purpose of this event is to encourage town tourism and to enhance the community life of Ikeda Town.
The local restaurant owners plan and hold this event in the hope that it will be a chance for both visitors and owners to interact and have fun.
There are various food and beverage stalls, a festival-type shooting game, a raffle, etc., and it is also a good place to bring the kids and the whole family.
Let's enjoy a night out with the locals in Miyoshi by having delicious food and drinks!

Mikamo Marché is organized by Mikamo Cafe!
On the fourth Sunday of every month, various different booths gather inside the Mikamo Cafe and in the parking lot.
Fresh vegetables from local farms, local specialties, cute handmade goods, delicious snacks and beverages, etc.
Mikamo Cafe also has a dog run🐶
Just looking at them is fun, the food is delicious, and shopping makes you even happier☺.
Why don't you stop by?

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!

Experience the finest sake of Shikoku gathered in Awa-Ikeda!
At the Sake Tasting Event, you can sample and compare premium local brews from across Shikoku. In addition, three local breweries in Miyoshi City will open their doors, offering visitors the rare chance to taste freshly pressed sake usually reserved only for the brewers themselves.

This is a must-visit event for sake lovers! Come to Awa-Ikeda, the town of sake, and enjoy the best of Shikoku’s brews.

Boke Mart sells a variety of local products such as “Iya Konnyaku” and “Iya Tofu”, which are used for “Dekomawashi”, a local dish of Iya (Oboke and Iya).
Drinks, bread, cup noodles, sweets, etc. are also available for shopping on your way to Mt. Tsurugi.
Also, you can eat “Iya soba”, “Boke Iya soup”, “Udon”, etc. at Boke Mart No. 2 across the street.

We provide tourist information, meals, light refreshments, and local specialty products.
The shop also serves as a free rest space where you can relax and enjoy the mountain scenery while easing your travel fatigue.

A local exchange base facility with a souvenir corner, a restaurant, a bathing facility, a teleworking office, and a café. The souvenir corner offers a wide variety of Shikoku's specialties as well as ethical products. The open-air plaza with its expansive lawn is also equipped with a colorful playground.