Overview

Tokushima Prefecture is located in the east of Shikoku, faces to Kii Channel to the east, and is adjacent to Kagawa Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture and Ehime Prefecture to the north, south and west respectively.

Mountainous districts make up approximately 80% of Tokushima’s total land area of 4,146.65 km2. Quite a few mountains in the districts exceed 1,000 m in height. The highest peak in Tokushima as well as the second highest in Shikoku is Mt. Tsurugi in the Shikoku Mountains with its altitude of 1,955 m. Tsurugi Mountains with Mt. Tsurugi at their center form a watershed dividing Tokushima Prefecture into north and south. The Yoshino River flowing along the north side of the Tsurugi Mountains rises from the distant Kochi Prefecture, flows into Tokushima Prefecture forming the steep Oboke and Koboke Gorges. The river then runs eastwards from Miyoshi City and flows wider, giving way to the wedge-shaped Tokushima Plains.

The Sanuki Mountains with relatively low peaks are situated in the north of the Yoshino River. At the foot of the mountains, an alluvial fan spreads out, and the altitude of the land is high. Rice paddy area spreads in the lowlands downstream of the Yoshino River, same as the lowlands downstream of the Katsuura River and Naka River. There is a rich forest area in the southern slope of mountains in the watershed and not much wide flat ground. In the south of Anan City and southward, the sheer rock coastline with the mountains facing directly to the sea contrasts remarkably with the sandy beaches of the northeast. The deep ocean makes this area perfect for ports and harbors.

Tokushima Prefecture is less than 100 km in length from north to south, but this small area enjoys a complicated and varied climate due to the influence of several geographical features. The coastal area in the south-east is the warmest, growing cooler towards the western mountainous region, and there is a difference of approximately four degrees centigrade between the coastal areas and the mountainous areas. Annual precipitation in the north of Tokushima ending in the Yoshino River and the Sanuki Mountains is relatively little as it is less than 1,500 mm. This area belongs to the warm and dry “Seto Inland Sea Climate”. In the past, many salt farms made use of this climate, and the salt industry was prosperous.

The alpine area centered on Mt. Tsurugi in the Shikoku Mountains belongs to the cold and wet “Sea of Japan Climate”. Although Tokushima is located in the west of Japan, the northwestern monsoon is strong in the alpine area and enough snow falls to ski in winter. It provides pleasantly cool weather in summer, making it perfect for escaping the heat, hiking and walking in the woods.

The south of Tokushima belongs to the warm and wet “Pacific Ocean Climate”. Although this area is warm throughout the year, it has much precipitation.

The coastline from Hiwasa to Ikumi Beach in Toyo-cho, Kochi Prefecture, has many of Japan’s best surf spots, and is crowded with surfers every weekend.

At the end of 2005, the number of foreign residents was 5,911. Approximately 90% of foreign residents in Tokushima are from countries in Asia.