The city of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, known for its "whirlpool of Naruto", is the gateway to Shikoku, which is connected with Awaji Island by the Onaruto Bridge. In recent years, it has also gained popularity as a resort that takes advantage of the warm climate. This time, we introduce the tourist spot "tonaru" of such Naruto. You can enjoy plenty of culture and nature of Tokushima such as Awa Odori experience and camping in two facilities!
"Tonaru" appeared in the northwest area of the Uchino Sea, about a 15-minute drive from Naruto Park, where the whirlpool, "Uzushio" can be seen. They are two complex tourist facilities that have renovated abandoned facilities. You can enjoy Awa Odori and fishing on raft experience at "tonaru SETO" using the former Seto Elementary School/Kindergarten, and camp at "tonaru SHIMADA" using the former Shimada Elementary School/Kindergarten. The two facilities are about a five-minute drive away.
Both facilities were designed by the architect Tomoya Masuda. They are characterized by a nostalgic atmosphere and a novel design that does not look like a school, such as windows designed in the form of a grid.
First of all, we introduce "tonaru SETO" which you can experience unique to Tokushima Prefecture. Awa Odori, which is held in August, is a traditional performing art representing Tokushima. In the "tonaru Theater" you can enjoy the Awa Odori throughout the year. The stage is a circular original design with the image of the Uzushio of Naruto and the ring dance seen throughout the city, using the gymnasium of the time as it was. You can watch the dance full of sense of appearance from anywhere 360 degrees.
Performances are held twice a day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and famous renals belonging to the Awa Odori Society of Tokushima Prefecture perform on a daily basis. The point is that you can see the original production, which is unique to the circular stage. In addition, since the venue is OK to eat and drink, you can also watch Awa Odori with alcohol.
At the end of the Awa Odori, a ring dance experience is waiting for the audience to participate in. You can feel the fun of Awa Odori in the whole body by dancing together with the dancer and the audience in a circle according to the rhythm of the sound. Let's dance together and taste the sense of unity and elation!
Business days: Saturday, Sunday, public holidays (unscheduled on Saturday)
Opening times: 11-12, 13:30-14:30 (twice daily performances)
Price: 2200 yen for adults, 1100 yen for junior high school students and below, free under 3 years of age
You can also experience Ikada fishing in the Uchino Sea in "tonaru SETO". The Uchino Sea, where the waves are gentle and there are few swells, is one of the prefecture's leading fishing spots where many fishing rafts float. If you book a plan with a lecture by a professional instructor and a set of necessary tools, you can enjoy Raft fishing for empty-handed.
It's about a 10-minute drive to the Uchino Sea, and from there it's about a five-minute boat ride to the Raft ship, a snazzy made of wood that is always comfortable because you can have a roof when the weather is bad or the sunshine is strong.
With the technique of "Sabiki Dsuri" using a contraption with multiple fake bait hook, we aim at herds such as horse mackerel and sardines! Raft has cooking utensils and condiments, standby to the table. Fish caught can be treated by themselves on the spot and eaten with sashimi or tempura. Even those who are anxious to cook fish are relieved! The instructor will teach you how to handle it carefully, so it will also lead to learning of food.
Business days: Saturday, Sunday, National holidays (reservation required)
Hours: 8:30-12:30, 13-17 (conducted twice daily)
Price: 9900 yen for adults, 6600 yen for elementary school children and below, free preschoolers
Capacity: 12 people each
The modern building of the former kindergarten is used as a free space. It's a terrace surrounded by beautiful greenery, with sunlight coming through latticed-designed windows. It can also be used for waiting times for Awa Odori performances, and sometimes the dancers of Awa Odori are taking a break.
In one corner, there is a gallery by the architect Tomoya Masuda, where you can take a close look at the materials and models of the architecture that Mr. Masuda worked on, and you can feel the thoughts and backgrounds that were included in his design.
"Tonaru shop" will be open only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. In addition to drinks such as "tonaru soda" and "iced coffee", which are attractive with beautiful shades of blue, alcohol items such as "tonaru sour" and "beer" with a snack are also sold. In addition to free space, it is also OK to bring it to the "tonaru theater".
The space that makes use of the old school building and classroom of the elementary school will be a picture no matter where you cut it out. The reception counter, where the cute "Koubai" sign catches the eye, is a particularly recommended shooting spot♪Please enjoy the old-fashioned atmosphere and capture wonderful memories in the photo.
Shooting as a teacher and student in a classroom lined with retro desks and chairs, or sitting on a sofa in the principal's room, which was difficult to put in as a child, you want to upload to SNS unintentionally. You can take a fun piece.
From the terrace on the second floor of the primary school, there is a beautiful sea in front of you overlooking the Sho-Naruto sinbashi. The terrace has a refreshing pleasant breeze, and it's like you're in a resort. The amazing view of the blue sky and the sea is healed by just looking at it.
Address: 220-1 Jimawarisan, Setocho Donoura, Naruto, Tokushima
TEL:088-688-0151 (business day Saturday, Sunday, public holidays 10-15: 30)
* Please check the official website on business day
"Tonaru SHIMADA", located about a five-minute drive from the "tonaru SETO", is a campsite surrounded by nature, where the former Shimada Elementary School/Kindergarten athletic field was reborn.
The athletic field includes an 11-lot auto camp site and a solo camp area for those visiting by road bike or motorcycle. Camping beginners can also feel comfortable as they are equipped with a communal cooking room to handle fish caught in the Uchino Sea, as well as a shower room and toilet inside the old school building.
Camping in special places, such as sports grounds and school buildings, is packed with extraordinary feelings that are different from ordinary camps. You can spend a nostalgic time as if you were back when you were a child.
Business Days: Friday to Sunday, Holidays
Hours: Check-in 14-17/Check-out 8-11
Price: Auto site from 4400 yen; admission fee is 1100 yen for adults, 550 yen for elementary school children and under, free preschoolers
Address: Kitada 36, Nakashimada, Setomachi, Naruto, Tokushima
TEL:088-623-8181 (weekdays 9:30-17:00) Air Travel Tokushima Corporation
Access to "tonaru" is recommended by the use of a car. "tonaru SETO" is about a 12-minute drive from Kobe-Awaji Narumon Motorway, Narumon IC, and "tonaru SHIMADA" is about 16 minutes away. The "tonaru SETO" has a spacious parking lot with a capacity of about 180 vehicles, and temporary parking is also available when the car is fully booked.
The "tonaru SETO" is also accessible by line bus; please take the Tokushima bus, which runs from the JR Narumon Line "Naruto Station", and get off at the bus stop "Seto shogakko mae".
"Tonaru," a combination of nostalgia and newness. Enjoy activities in the nature of Naruse and spend a memorable moment with your family and friends.
Part image courtesy of the article: tonaru
Speaking of Tokushima ramen, the representative of Tokushima local gourmet, tea-based soup with sweet spicy pork bone soy sauce is a classic! It is also a big feature to eat raw eggs. It is a long-established ramen shop that can not be removed even among many ramen shops scattered around Tokushima city
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