LOCAL JAPAN GUIDE to Tokushima | Top Ramen & Thrill-Seeker Hotspots for 2023

Head to the Iya Valley Vine Bridge, one of Japan's top three bridges, and prepare for a thrilling crossing. It's made of vines, reinforced by cables these days, but it still moves way more than you'd expect! There's basically nothing beneath you, and the gaps are wide enough for things to fall through, so hold onto your belongings. Even if you're not scared of heights, this is scary, but it's also incredibly cool and rustic, making you feel like you're in a jungle.

Make a quick pit stop on your way to the whirlpools to see the local tourist attraction, the Statue of a Peeing Boy. Locals used to come here and pee into the wind as a sign of bravery, literally on the cliff. It's not a bad place to pee, though, with a stunning view of the valley.

Take the Uzushio Kisen boat tour to see the Naruto whirlpools up close. The boat gets incredibly close, and you can really feel the tug of the current as the boat struggles against it. It's thrilling to be so near to the powerful whirlpools, which are bigger and more numerous than you might expect, not just one sinkhole. While you can see them from the bridge above, being on the boat is definitely the way to experience them. The trip is perfect, just enough time to get close to the whirlpools.

Head to Inotani Honten to try Tokushima's famous ramen, especially their unique raw egg ramen. It's a first-time experience for us to have raw egg in ramen. Break the gorgeous raw egg into the hot broth, and it cooks as you wait, making the soup incredibly rich and creamy. The ramen is very flavorful, with a meat-rich broth that's really unusual and complex. It's an especially good ramen, and the sweet noodles are a delight. It's a perfect way to warm up after a boat journey.