Tokushima in 3 nights and 4 days: one base or two nights in Iya?
For Naruto Strait and Wakimachi’s historic street, take separate day trips from the same Tokushima lodging. For the valley and boat, compare one night in Tokushima followed by two in Iya. The Iya option uses a rental car and returns it in Tokushima after the last-day bridge visit. Move the bridge earlier or omit it for an early departure.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days, 3 nights
A · The eastern strait and historic streets without changing hotels
For whirlpools and historic houses, spend three nights in Tokushima and give Naruto and Wakimachi a day each. Use buses for Naruto, a rental car for Wakimachi, and visit Bizan on the final day.
A · The eastern strait and historic streets without changing hotels →4 days, 3 nightsB · One night in Tokushima, two in Iya
For a gorge boat ride and a vine-bridge crossing, spend one night in Tokushima, then two in Iya. Move west via Wakimachi and visit the boat and bridge on separate days. Return the rental car in Tokushima on the final day.
B · One night in Tokushima, two in Iya →A · The eastern strait and historic streets without changing hotels
For whirlpools and historic houses, spend three nights in Tokushima and give Naruto and Wakimachi a day each. Use buses for Naruto, a rental car for Wakimachi, and visit Bizan on the final day.
Day 1 · A performance, then your lodging
Spend three nights near Tokushima Station: a show on Day 1, Naruto Strait on Day 2, Wakimachi’s historic street on Day 3, and Bizan on the last day. Use buses for Naruto and rent a car only for Wakimachi. Check pickup and return locations and hours when booking.
- JR Tokushima Station → Your booked Tokushima lodging
Travel from Tokushima Station to your booked lodging.
- Tokushima lodging → Awa Odori Kaikan entrance
Walk to Awa Odori Kaikan. The theater is on the second floor of the same building.
- Awa Odori Kaikan entrance → Second-floor theater
Watch one daytime show in the second-floor theater. Each 40-minute show starts at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., or 4 p.m. and costs adults ¥1,300. For a late arrival, the 8 p.m. evening show costs ¥1,600. Usual performances are unavailable on Kaikan closing days and during the August 11–15 regular-performance break. Move the show to another day if your arrival misses every session.
Kaikan performance and ropeway fares and operationOfficial price list
- Awa Odori Kaikan → Dinner near the station or Kaikan, then the same lodging
After the show, choose an open restaurant near the Kaikan or station for dinner, then return to the same lodging. For an evening show, check restaurant last-order times too.
Day 2 · Bus to Naruto Park
Look down at Naruto Strait from Uzu no Michi’s walkway. Take round-trip Naruto Park buses timed around the tides.
- Tokushima lodging and stop 16 in front of Tokushima Station → Naruto Park bus stop
Board a Naruto Park-bound bus at stop 16 in front of Tokushima Station and get off at the park. Adult fares are ¥870 each way or ¥1,740 round-trip. Choose both buses around your date’s tide table and Uzu no Michi’s admission cutoff. Allow extra time to walk from your lodging to the stop and wait for the bus.
- Naruto Park bus stop → Uzu no Michi entrance and strait walkway
Walk about five minutes from the stop to the entrance and buy the ¥510 adult ticket. See the strait from the walkway beneath the bridge. Whirlpools may be absent at some times, so choose buses around the tide table. Last admission is 4:30 p.m. October–February and 5:30 p.m. March–September.
Directions to the entranceAdmission and closure checksTide table for your date
- Uzu no Michi and Naruto Park stop → Tokushima Station and the same lodging
After visiting, take a Tokushima Station-bound bus from Naruto Park and return to the same lodging. If eating at the park, fit lunch around your return bus; if shops are closed, eat near the station. Choose the return service before sightseeing.
October weekday timetableHoliday timetableAdmission and closure checks
Day 3 · Wakimachi’s historic street
Walk Wakimachi’s street to see historic houses with udatsu firewalls. Visiting inside the Yoshida Residence is optional.
- Tokushima lodging → Wakimachi Udatsu Street
Set navigation to Ai Land Udatsu’s car parking lot in Wakimachi. Tokushima tourism guidance’s roughly 1 hour 5 minute drive from Tokushima city excludes travel to the rental office, paperwork, and parking. Park and walk toward the connected Yoshida Residence to enter the historic street. After your walk, eat or rest at an open shop, then return to the same parking lot. The optional Yoshida Residence interior costs adults ¥510, with admission until 4:30 p.m. Ai Land Udatsu is open 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and closes December 27–January 1; individual street shops have different hours.
Ai Land Udatsu location and operationYoshida Residence admission and hoursCar versus tour-bus parking
- Wakimachi Udatsu Street → Tokushima lodging
Retrace your walk to the parking lot and drive to the return location in Tokushima. Refuel, return the car by your booked time, and go back to your lodging. Ai Land Udatsu’s 39-space lot may be full. Rental, insurance, fuel, tolls, and parking cost extra. Shorten the walk if your return deadline is tight. For travel without a car, choose the Naruto bus option.
Ai Land Udatsu location and operationYoshida Residence admission and hoursCar versus tour-bus parking
Day 4 · Visit Bizan before leaving
From your lodging near Tokushima Station, walk to Awa Odori Kaikan and go to the ropeway’s fifth-floor base station. See the views from Bizan and ride the same ropeway down.
- Awa Odori Kaikan fifth-floor base station → Bizan summit station
Buy a round-trip ticket at Awa Odori Kaikan’s fifth-floor Bizan Ropeway base station and ride to the summit. The adult ticket costs ¥1,500 and the ride takes about six minutes; service usually starts at 9 a.m. Allow extra time for tickets, waiting, and summit walks. Recheck seasonal closing times and maintenance or bad-weather suspensions for your date.
Kaikan performance and ropeway fares and operationOfficial price list
- Bizan summit station → Base station
After enjoying the views, take the same ropeway down.
- Base station and Tokushima lodging → Your actual departure boarding stop
Beyond the roughly six-minute ropeway ride, allow time to reach your lodging and departure stop. Shorten the Bizan visit if your departure is early.
Included items: Daytime performance ¥1,300 + Uzu no Michi ¥510 + Bizan ¥1,500 + Naruto round-trip bus ¥1,740
Extra costs: Flights, lodging, meals, airport or onward-city transport, travel between lodging and boarding stops, and luggage storage cost extra. Rental, insurance, fuel, tolls, and parking are excluded. Add ¥510 if visiting inside the Yoshida Residence.
The evening show adds ¥300; omitting Bizan subtracts ¥1,500. The optional Yoshida Residence interior adds ¥510. Rental-car and Wakimachi parking costs are separate.
Official price listKaikan performance and ropeway fares and operationAdmission and closure checksFares and paymentYoshida Residence admission and hoursParking fees and use
B · One night in Tokushima, two in Iya
For a gorge boat ride and a vine-bridge crossing, spend one night in Tokushima, then two in Iya. Move west via Wakimachi and visit the boat and bridge on separate days. Return the rental car in Tokushima on the final day.
Day 1 · A performance in Tokushima
Spend the first night near Tokushima Station, then two nights at the same lodging in Oboke or Iya. Rent a car in Tokushima on Day 2 and return it to the same location on Day 4. After choosing lodging, check driving times and leave early enough for check-in and dinner deadlines. The final day also needs time to catch your departure after returning the car.
- JR Tokushima Station → Your booked Tokushima lodging
Travel from Tokushima Station to your booked lodging.
- Tokushima lodging → Awa Odori Kaikan entrance
Walk to Awa Odori Kaikan. The theater is on the second floor of the same building.
- Awa Odori Kaikan entrance → Second-floor theater
Watch one daytime show in the second-floor theater. Regular shows start at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., or 4 p.m. and cost adults ¥1,300. For a late arrival, compare the 8 p.m. evening show at ¥1,600. Usual sessions are unavailable on closing days or during the August 11–15 regular-performance break. Omit the paid show on dates when performances are unavailable.
Kaikan performance and ropeway fares and operationOfficial price list
- Awa Odori Kaikan → Dinner near the station or Kaikan, then the same lodging
After the show, choose an open restaurant near the Kaikan or station for dinner, then return to the same lodging. For an evening show, check restaurant last-order times too.
Day 2 · Wakimachi’s historic street, then Iya lodging
See Wakimachi’s historic houses and lanes before continuing to Oboke or Iya. Carry valuables with you during the walk.
Set navigation first to Ai Land Udatsu, then to your lodging address. Check the entire drive from the rental office via Wakimachi to your lodging and leave in time for check-in and dinner deadlines. If delayed, skip Wakimachi and go directly to your lodging. For an early Day 4 departure, consider moving Kazurabashi to Day 3.
- Tokushima lodging and your booked car pickup location → Ai Land Udatsu parking lot
Pick up your booked car and set navigation to Ai Land Udatsu’s parking lot. The official seven-minute drive from Wakimachi IC is not the whole journey from the Tokushima rental office. Facilities are open 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and close December 27–January 1. Park and walk toward the Yoshida Residence to enter Udatsu Street. The 39 car spaces describe capacity, not guaranteed availability. Ask the facility about parking fees.
Ai Land Udatsu location and operationCar versus tour-bus parking
- Ai Land Udatsu and Yoshida Residence area → Udatsu Street and the same parking lot
Walk Udatsu Street to see old buildings and lanes, then return to your parking lot. The base itinerary excludes the Yoshida Residence interior. To add it, check the ¥510 adult admission and 4:30 p.m. admission cutoff, and first calculate whether you can still reach your western lodging before check-in and meal deadlines.
Ai Land Udatsu location and operationYoshida Residence admission and hours
- Ai Land Udatsu parking lot → Your booked Oboke or Iya lodging
After the walk, return to the parking lot and drive west to your lodging. Enter its actual address into navigation and arrive before check-in and dinner deadlines.
Ai Land Udatsu location and operationCar versus tour-bus parking
Day 3 · Oboke Gorge boat ride
If eating at the facility after the boat ride, check restaurant hours. Drive back to the same Iya lodging for the second night.
- Western lodging → Obokekyo Mannaka parking lot and first-floor front desk
The facility has parking; ask the operator about fees and availability that day. Park, buy a boat ticket at the building’s first-floor front desk, and complete the passenger list. Individuals do not need reservations.
Tourism association parking and accessBoat operator fares and boarding
- First-floor front desk and dock → Boat and original dock
Follow signs inside the building down to the dock. Operating hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with the last departure at 4:30 p.m. Adult fare is ¥1,800; the ride returns to the same dock in about 30 minutes. Allow extra time for ticketing and waiting. Strong winds or high water can cancel trips; check that day’s sailing notice.
- Original dock and Mannaka parking lot → The same western lodging
After disembarking, return to your parking lot and drive back to the same western lodging. Check restaurant hours if eating at the facility. Use your booked lodging address to check the return route.
Boat operator fares and boardingTourism association parking and access
Day 4 · Kazurabashi, then back to Tokushima
Cross Kazurabashi, return to Tokushima, return the car, and depart. Allow time after refueling and return to reach your station or airport bus stop. For a morning departure, move the bridge earlier or omit it.
- Western lodging → Yumebutai parking lot and Iya Kazurabashi entrance
Regular-car parking costs ¥500 per vehicle, separate from bridge admission, and does not accept reservations. Park and walk past Yumebutai toward Iya Kazurabashi. Check the walk from the lot to the bridge and the drive from your lodging separately.
- Iya Kazurabashi entrance → Bridge and Yumebutai parking lot
Buy a ticket and cross the bridge. Admission for junior high school students and older is ¥550 per person. Hours: April–June 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; July–August 7:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; September–March 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Bad weather can change operation. Return to your parking lot afterward.
- Yumebutai parking lot → Tokushima car return location and your departure boarding stop
After the visit, return to Yumebutai’s parking lot and drive to your contracted return location in Tokushima. Refuel and return the car, then reach your departure station or airport bus stop. Do not put the bridge on the last day if your departure is in the morning.
You need time after the bridge to drive back to Tokushima and return the car. Do not finalize a last-day visit before choosing your lodging address, road timings, return office, and departure service.
Included items: Daytime performance ¥1,300 + Oboke boat ¥1,800 + Kazurabashi ¥550
Extra costs: Flights, lodging, meals, airport or onward-city transport, travel between lodging and boarding stops, and luggage storage cost extra. Rental, insurance, fuel, tolls, and parking are excluded. Yumebutai parking is another ¥500 per vehicle. Day 2 Wakimachi parking and extra driving costs are also excluded; add ¥510 per adult for the optional Yoshida Residence interior.
Yumebutai parking costs another ¥500 per vehicle. Wakimachi includes only the street walk; add ¥510 for the Yoshida Residence interior. The evening show adds ¥300.
Official price listAdmission and seasonal hoursBoat operator fares and boardingYoshida Residence admission and hoursParking fees and use
Before you go: practical checks and FAQs
Can I reach Iya without a rental car?
From Tokushima, first use JR Shikoku’s time and fare search with Tokushima as the origin and Oboke as the destination to check trains and transfers for your date. Continue from Oboke Station by bus or taxi. Do not replace isolated rental-car legs with buses in these itineraries. Choose both Oboke Station–Kazurabashi Yumebutai bus directions from the operator’s timetable. To return to Tokushima, match the return bus to the next JR train. For an Iya stay, arrange pickup or the walking route between the stop and your lodging.
Admission and seasonal hoursCurrent bus operator informationTimetable revised October 1, 2026JR Shikoku time and fare search
Do show, boat, and vine-bridge costs include the car?
The 3-night B subtotal of ¥3,650 includes the daytime show ¥1,300, boat ¥1,800, and Kazurabashi ¥550. The adult boat fare became ¥1,800 after the September 2026 increase. Vehicle, parking, lodging, and meals cost extra; Yumebutai parking is ¥500 per vehicle.
Official price listBoat operator fares and boarding2026 fare change noticeAdmission and seasonal hoursParking fees and use
Official sources and checked dates
- Kaikan performance and ropeway fares and operation ·
- Admission and closure checks ·
- Directions to the entrance ·
- Tide table for your date ·
- Admission and seasonal hours ·
- Parking fees and use ·
- Boat operator fares and boarding ·
- 2026 fare change notice ·
- Ai Land Udatsu location and operation ·
- Yoshida Residence admission and hours ·
- Car versus tour-bus parking ·
- Current bus operator information ·
- Timetable revised October 1, 2026 ·
- October weekday timetable ·
- Holiday timetable ·
- Fares and payment ·
- Tourism association parking and access ·
- Official price list ·
- JR Shikoku time and fare search ·