Aizumi(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Awa Town, the top boutique stay is Koganeya Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn with modern amenities. Nestled beside the Awa River, it offers tatami rooms with private onsen baths and views of cherry blossoms in spring. The owners provide personalized experiences like kabuki-style dance workshops and local citrus tea tastings using fresh Awa mandarins. Each room features handcrafted furniture from nearby villages, reflecting the town’s artisan heritage. Guests can also join seasonal events such as rice planting ceremonies or evening poetry readings under lantern light. This intimate, eco-conscious retreat blends tradition with contemporary comfort for an authentic rural Japan experience.

The central district of Awa Town is the most convenient and charming area to stay. Located just steps from Awa Station and the Awa River, it’s surrounded by local shops, family-run restaurants, and historic wooden houses from the Showa era. From here, you can easily walk to Owase Shrine, one of the town’s oldest religious sites, and explore the Awa Dance Museum, which showcases the origins of Japan’s famous Awa Odori festival. The area also hosts weekend farmers’ markets and evening street performances, offering immersive cultural moments. With its peaceful riverside ambiance and low-key charm, this district strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and authenticity.

Visitors to Awa Town can participate in rare cultural experiences such as Awa Odori dance lessons led by local performers, learning the energetic moves that define this national festival. Another highlight is the bamboo weaving workshop, where artisans teach how to craft baskets and decorative items using locally harvested bamboo. For nature lovers, the rice paddy planting ceremony offers hands-on insight into traditional farming life. Evening programs include storytelling nights with elders sharing folktales and legends of the region. These activities foster deep connections with local traditions, allowing travelers to become part of Awa’s living culture rather than just observers.

While Awa Town isn’t known for large-scale onsens, Awa Onsen Ryokan stands out as a hidden gem. This small, family-run inn features natural sulfur-rich hot springs with therapeutic benefits, set in a serene forested setting. Rooms include private outdoor baths overlooking the river, perfect for stargazing at night. The inn serves meals made from locally sourced ingredients, including fresh mandarin oranges, wild mountain vegetables, and Tokushima rice. Special seasonal events like nighttime purification rituals and haiku writing sessions enhance the spiritual atmosphere. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking quiet rejuvenation and a deeper connection with nature.

For families, Shiki no Niwa Family Guesthouse is highly recommended. This spacious, homely accommodation offers three separate rooms, a fenced backyard with play equipment, and a barbecue area. Children can enjoy hands-on activities like bread-making workshops and nature scavenger hunts along the Awa River trail. The staff organizes nightly story circles, where elders share traditional tales passed down through generations. Nearby, the Awa River Playground and farm-to-table picnic zones offer safe, engaging spaces for kids. With its warm community vibe and emphasis on intergenerational bonding, this guesthouse creates lasting memories for all ages.

Guests at Awa Town lodgings can enjoy unique dining experiences centered around local citrus fruits, especially Awa mandarins. At Koganeya Ryokan, guests are treated to multi-course dinners featuring dishes like mandarin-glazed sea bream, citrus-infused tofu, and mandarin sorbet. After dinner, they may participate in a citrus soap-making workshop, turning leftover peels into aromatic soaps. Seasonal highlights include visits to farmers' markets where guests can buy freshly harvested sweet potatoes, bitter melons, and wild honey. These culinary adventures not only delight the palate but also deepen understanding of sustainable local food systems.

The best times to visit Awa Town are spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November). Spring brings blooming cherry trees along the Awa River, creating a dreamy backdrop with the red torii gates of Owase Shrine. Autumn offers stunning foliage in the hillsides and golden rice fields, ideal for photography and leisurely walks. Additionally, the Awa Odori Festival in August draws crowds nationwide, though Awa Town hosts smaller parades and open rehearsals. Staying during these periods allows visitors to enjoy festivals, seasonal harvests, and pleasant weather—perfect for exploring the town’s scenic trails and cultural gems.

Key historical landmarks in Awa Town include Owase Shrine, a centuries-old Shinto shrine dedicated to Kuninokami, whose vermilion torii and stone lanterns reflect Edo-period craftsmanship. Nearby, the Awa Kofun Cluster consists of several keyhole-shaped burial mounds, hinting at ancient political significance in the region. The former Town Hall Building, now the Awa Town Historical Museum, displays artifacts related to rice cultivation, textile production, and the evolution of Awa Odori. These sites collectively tell the story of Awa’s transition from a rural outpost to a cultural heartland of Tokushima Prefecture.

Awa Town is renowned for its pristine natural landscapes centered around the Awa River, which flows gently through the town, offering clear waters perfect for wading and firefly viewing (late June to early July). In autumn, the ginkgo-lined avenue and maple valley create breathtaking vistas. Hiking trails lead to Kenzan Hill, where panoramic views stretch across the Tokushima Plain and distant mountains. The surrounding forests are home to native wildlife, including deer and owls. These natural elements, combined with the town’s low-impact development, make Awa a sanctuary for nature lovers and seekers of quiet beauty.

Awa Town offers authentic art and craft experiences such as pottery making with local clay at Awa Ceramics Studio, where guests shape their own pieces under expert guidance. Another standout is the washi paper dyeing workshop, using plant-based dyes gathered from the riverbanks to color handmade washi. Monthly exhibitions at the Old Post Office Art Space showcase works by local artists inspired by rural life and seasonal change. These workshops emphasize sustainability, creativity, and community, allowing visitors to take home meaningful souvenirs while supporting local artisans and preserving traditional techniques.