Major city · Japan
Awa阿波市
Skip Awa unless you are walking the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage: four temples in one town, plus a geological oddity. Half a day covers it; no need to stay overnight.
Awa is a small city in north-central Tokushima, on the Yoshino River. Its main draw is a cluster of four temples on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (numbers 7–10) and the Awa Sand Pillars, a rare erosion formation. Most travellers pass through on the pilgrimage route or as a stop between Tokushima city and Kagawa prefecture. The town has limited dining and lodging; a half-day visit is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, some snow)
- Airports
- TKS · KIX
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Awa110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Awa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyAwa is a quiet rural town with low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTKS Tokushima Awaodori Airport (About 45 min by car or bus; limited flights from Tokyo (Haneda) and Fukuoka.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable for the temples and sand pillars.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (ramen or udon)¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7)
- Beercan at a convenience store¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥1,800–2,200 (≈ US$13–15)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Tokushima to Awa¥1,000 (≈ US$7) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple entry (donation)¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or minshuku bed, a night, per person¥4,000 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in minshuku, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedPrivate room in minshuku, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TKS Tokushima Awaodori Airport (About 45 min by car or bus; limited flights from Tokyo (Haneda) and Fukuoka.) · KIX Kansai International Airport (About 2.5 h by bus or train via Tokushima.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Awa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable for the temples and sand pillars. Local buses are infrequent; a rental car or taxi is more practical for covering the four temples and the sand pillars in a half day.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Train from Awa Station, about 15 min
Small town with a preserved historic district and the Mima Museum of Art.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Train via Tokushima, about 1 h 15 min
Famous for the Naruto whirlpools and the Naruto Bridge.
Door to door: About 2 h
Train via Tokushima, about 1.5 h
Mountain scenery and the Iya Valley; a full day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Awa Station
A few small guesthouses and minshuku; limited options, book ahead.
Mima
About 15 min west by train; more accommodation choices.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥9,000–15,000 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or minshuku bed1 × 1 night × ¥4,000 | ¥4,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥6,000 | ¥6,000 |
| Taxi from Awa Station to the sand pillars and back (one way)1 × ¥2,000 · check | ¥2,000 |
| Bus from Tokushima to Awa (one way)1 × ¥1,000 · check | ¥1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥1,300 |
| Trip total≈ ¥14,300 per person per day, bed included | ¥14,300≈ US$100 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Noodle soup (ramen or udon) | ¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Beer: can at a convenience store | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM. | ¥1,800–2,200 (≈ US$13–15) |
| Bus from Tokushima to Awa | ¥1,000 (≈ US$7) (check) |
| Temple entry (donation) | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Temple hours vary; check the official pilgrimage website for seasonal hours.
- The Awa Sand Pillars are on a hillside with uneven paths; wear sturdy shoes.
- No English signage at most temples; download a map or use a pilgrimage app.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Awa阿波市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US consulate in Osaka covers Tokushima; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo or consulates in Osaka.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tokushima → Awa, bus: about ¥1,000 (≈ US$7), about 40 min (check)
- Taxi Awa Station → Sand Pillars: ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14)
- Train Awa → Mima: about ¥300 (≈ US$3), 15 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatou gozaimasu)
- 十楽寺はどこですか？ — Where is temple number 7? (juurakuji wa doko desu ka)
- 徳島行きのバスはいくらですか？ — How much is the bus to Tokushima? (tokushima yuki no basu wa ikura desu ka)
- 一泊お願いします — I would like a room for one night (ippaku onegai shimasu)
Awa is a small town; carry cash as credit cards are not widely accepted.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Awa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, some snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each of the four temples with verified hours and access notes.
- Awa Sand Pillars page with trail conditions and parking.
- Eat pages for the few restaurants in town.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Awa Station and the bus stop.
Sources
Ask about Awa
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