Oboke, Koboke, Iya Gorge Travel Guides

Oboke, Koboke, and Iya Gorge offer tourist attractions such as Rengeji Temple, Chorakuji Temple, and Ryugadake, tourist events such as Ikeda Awa Odori Dance, Oboke River Festival, and Chopenzo-ji Grand Festival, and local delicacies such as Tokushima Ramen, fish cutlets, and Iya soba.

Here are some sightseeing spots in the mountains, such as Oboke Koboke, a valley located upstream of the clear Yoshino River that flows through Miyoshi City in western Tokushima Prefecture, and Iya-kei, a hidden valley that was once said to be a hiding place of the Heike clan.

Ooboke koboke" is representative of Tokushima. You may have heard of it before. This is the name of a canyon that stretches about 8 km upstream from the Yoshino River that flows through the prefecture. It is a spectacular spot with a series of dynamic rocks that have been carved and shaped by the river's torrent over a period of 200 million years.

There is a theory that the name is derived from "hoki (hoke)," an ancient local word meaning cliff, and that it was named "oboke (oboke)" because it is dangerous to walk with big feet, and "koboke (koboke)" because it is dangerous to walk with small feet.

Seasonal plants color these rugged valleys. Someiyoshino cherry trees and Japanese azaleas in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in fall, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the magnificent valley and its plants any time of the year.

Enjoying them while doing activities is also recommended. The highlight is a boat trip in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and in fall when the leaves turn red. The scenery is full of emotion as you enjoy the light pink cherry blossoms blooming along the river and the autumn leaves vividly tinting the mountainside. The Oboke Trolley Train, which is only available in autumn, is also a great way to enjoy the autumn foliage.

In summer, you can enjoy a fun rafting tour with a splash of fresh green water. In winter, you can enjoy the scenic view of the valley covered with snow while warming yourself with a kotatsu-bune. From March to the end of May, you can look up from a boat and see carp streamers swimming across the width of the river.

Iya-kei Valley, where the legend of the fallen Heike clan, who were chased from the capital and hid themselves away, is characterized by its deep V-shaped valley. The area is thickly overgrown with trees due to high precipitation, reminding visitors of a secluded and unexplored region.

In Iya-kei Valley, suspension bridges woven from a native plant called shirakuchi-kazura have been built and have been cherished by people as a way of life since ancient times. One of these bridges is the Iya-no-Kazura Bridge in Nishi-Iya Mountain Village. When you step onto the bridge, it creaks and shakes, providing a thrilling experience.

According to one theory, the bridge was built so that when the Genji warriors approached Iya, they could quickly cut the bridge down. Every year in late October, the Iya Heike Festival is held in honor of the Heike legend, featuring a parade of Heike warriors and a quick-eating contest for Iya soba, a local specialty made from buckwheat.

This is a fascinating place to visit, where you can experience the thrill and romance of nature in such a magnificent natural setting.