Awa, Tokushima / 阿波の土柱
Awa no Dochu Earth Pillars
Land built up from soil and gravel was raised and then carved by rainwater over a very long time, leaving many earth pillars and curtain-like folds. The largest, Hatogatake, was designated a national natural monument on May 1, 1934. From the front observation decks you can see strata about a million years old up close, and from the top of Hatogatake you look down on the pillars at your feet.
Last official check
28 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
27 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Train / Car
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
About 15 minutes by car from JR Awa-Yamakawa Station (Tokushima Line) or from Wakimachi IC on the Tokushima Expressway.
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Coaches can also park.
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Awa, Tokushima (Japanese address: 徳島県阿波市阿波町桜ノ岡)
Official site: https://www.awa-kankou.jp/odekake/awanodochu/
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
Photo: ＋－ (User:PlusMinus), edited by 663h / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)Wakimachi Udatsu TownscapeTokushima6 km away (straight line)- No photo yetOkubo-ji TempleKagawa11 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetFujiidera Temple (Temple 11 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage)Tokushima14 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetSanuki Children's LandKagawa22 km away (straight line)
Photo: Photos of Japan / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (cropped)Tsuda no Matsubara (Kinrin Park)Kagawa22 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances. Some locations are approximate, so treat these distances as a rough guide.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Lit up at night: May-August from sunset to 22:00, September-April from sunset to 21:00.
Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Paid guided tours by the Dochu volunteer guide group are available (enquire at the Awa City Tourism Association).Checked 28 Sept 2026 on the official site
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Verification log
- 28 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.awa-kankou.jp/odekake/awanodochu/Seasons, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.
- 28 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.east-tokushima.jp/spot/detail.php?id=9&page=1Access and parking read from a tourism organization's site.