# Miyoshi (Tokushima)

Miyoshi (三好) City is in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku.

## Understand

Located in the center of Shikoku Island, Miyoshi City is the administrative name for a collection of districts which were amalgamated in 2005.
These districts include:
* Ikeda
* Yamashiro (for Oboke and Koboke)
* Nishi-Iya and Higashi Iya (for the Iya Valley)
* Ikawa
* Mino

### Tourist information site

The official tourism webpage for Miyoshi City (covering all districts above) is available in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

## Get in

Miyoshi City is serviced by JR Trains. There are 9 stations in Miyoshi along the Dosan Line that runs from Tadotsu to Kochi. The Limited Express Train Nanpu that connects Kochi and Okayama stops at Awa-Ikeda Station and Oboke Station en route. This will be the fastest and most convenient way to reach the city for train travelers from the mainland. Awa-Ikeda Station is also the terminus of the Tokushima Line which runs here from Tokushima.
Hankyu Bus runs Highway Buses from Osaka and Kobe to Awa-Ikeda Bus Terminal (阿波池田BT) located near Awa-Ikeda Staion. Highway buses from Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsuyama, Tokushima, Kochi, stop at the Miyoshi Bus Terminal (三好BS) in Higashimiyoshi just east of Miyoshi. Without a car, Miyoshi Bus Terminal is about a 40 minute walk from Tsuji Station where you can catch a train to Awa-Ikeda or call a taxi from the Yoshinogawa Service Area if you don't wish to walk.
Generally speaking, Ikeda acts as the central transportion hub for both entering the city and for travel within.

## Get around

There are several buses daily that travel to/from Ikeda's Awa Ikeda Bus Terminal (阿波池田ＢT), which pass by JR Awa-Ikeda Station (one minute away) and travel to the Iya Valley. A few terminate in Deai (bottom of Iyakei Gorge area) and others go via Oboke into Nishi-Iya past the Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, and then continue all the way into Higashi-Iya and terminate in Kubo (久保). There are also other buses on weekends/holidays only that travel between JR Oboke station and the Kazurabashi in the Iya Valley only.
If you don't want to worry about buses and timetables, renting a car will give you more freedom to travel around at your own pace.

## See

* Unpenji Temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage (Ikeda)
* Oboke Gorge / Yoshino River (Oboke and Koboke)
* Youkai (traditional monster) Attractions (Oboke and Koboke)
* Iya Gorge (Iya Valley)
* Japan's most famous Vine Bridges (Iya Valley)
* Historic Ochiai Hamlet (Iya Valley)
* The Scarecrow Village (Iya Valley)

## Do

* White-water Rafting (Oboke and Koboke)
* Hiking and Camping (Iya Valley)
* Hotspring bathing (Oboke and Koboke, and Iya Valley)

## Buy

The main shopping district is in Ikeda.

## Eat

Miyoshi area specialties include grilled river trout, "Iya Soba" noodles, uniquely dense "stone" tofu, and highly prized "san-sai" mountain sprouts.

## Drink

Ikeda is home to three local sake breweries.

## Sleep

A wide range of sleeping options are available, mostly in the Iya Valley area, but also some in Oboke and Koboke. Private cabin rentals, classic-style inns, traditional guest houses, camping, high-end luxury hotels, and even free mountain top huts accessible only by foot. A unique option in the Iya Valley would be to stay in a centuries-old thatched roof farmhouse.

## Go next

* Higashimiyoshi
* Tsurugi
* Mima
* Otoyo
* Kami
* Kochi City is located an hour or so south.
* Manno
* Kotohira
* Takamatsu City is located an hour or so to the north.