To See | To Do

Yakuoji Temple

The 23rd Temple in the 88 temple Shikoku Pilgrimage. Famous for its powers to protect against evil spirits and misfortune, it is a popular place to visit for those in their "unlucky years". From the top of the temple you can get a great view of the town, if you can manage the steps that get there!

Address: 〒779-2305 Tokushima Prefecture, Kaifu-gun, Minami-cho, Okugawachi Teramae 285-1

Tel: 0884-77-0023

HP: http://yakuouji.net/

Entry fee: Free

Hiwasa Sea Turtle Museum

Minamicho is famous for being a town where sea turtles come to lay their eggs, on Ohama Beach. Located right next to the beach, you can learn extensively about sea turtles and see many different varieties of turtles there. Unfortunately most of the information is in Japanese, but will be available in English soon.

Address: 〒779-2304 Tokushima Prefecture, Kaifu-gun, Minami-cho, Hiwasaura 370-4

Tel: 0884-77-1110

HP: https://caretta.town.minami.lg.jp/

Entry fee: Adults: 610 yen 

12-18 y.o: 500 yen, 6-12 y.o: 300 yen

Below Elementary: Free

Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine

Located next to Ohama Beach, this shrine has a strong connection to the ocean. It is famous for it Autumn Festival, where portable shrines are carried around town and then in to the sea to protect the town from evil spirits. It is the largest Autumn Festival in Tokushima!

Address: 〒779-2304 Tokushima Prefecture, Kaifu-gun, Minami-cho, Hiwasaura 369

Tel: 0884-77-2474

HP: https://hiwasahachiman.com/

Entry fee: Free

Ohama Beach

A beautiful stretch of beach where sea turtles come to lay their eggs each year from May-September. To protect the beach and conserve it for this purpose, swimming is prohibited. Consider it your lucky day if you are in town when a turtle comes to shore, as numbers are decreasing each year.  

Address: 〒779-2304 Tokushima Prefecture, Kaifu-gun, Minami-cho, Hiwasaura 374-4

Hiwasa Castle

It is thought that there once stood a castle here in the early 16th century, but as it was abandoned, very little is known about the original shape and history. The current castle building is a reconstruction, completed in 1978. It is open or public viewing, but please note there are no exhibits. 

Address: 〒779-2304 Tokushima Prefecture, Kaifu-gun, Minami-cho, Hiwasaura 445-1

Tel: 0884-77-3617

HP：https://www.town.minami.lg.jp/docs/398.html

Ebisudo Cave

A natural cave located next to Ohama Beach. Although it is not possible to go inside, there is a walking path next to it and up the mountain on top of the cave, where you can get a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean and Ohama Beach.

Address: 〒779-2304 Tokushima Prefecture, Kaifu-gun, Minami-cho, Hiwasaura

Senba Kaigai (trekking course)

The Senba Kaigai trekking course is a 12km long route that trails through the mountains along the Senba Kaigai coast. There are fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and rest spots along the way. The entrance to the trekking course is located behind Hiwasa Castle, and the entire route takes approx 4.5 hours.