2026 Minami Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in July)

From Biei’s quiet snowy fields and Blue Pond to Sapporo’s warm streets and sparkling lights, and even the sentimental scenery stretching along the Otaru Canal, a trip to Hokkaido does not stay only in that moment—it continues naturally even after time has passed. That is because the air and temperature you felt there, along with the emotions that quietly built up, keep living and moving in your memory. So this is not simply a destination you visit once, but a special place that stays in your heart for a long time and makes you want to return. Hokkaido in winter creates that kind of deep afterglow—one that continues even after it is over.

Biei’s snow-covered fields are not flashy, but the longer you look, the more deeply their beauty reveals itself. The endless white plains, the wind brushing across them, and even the subtle shifts of light created by the sunshine all blend naturally into a single landscape. In Sapporo, warm food and the lively energy of the streets raise the warmth of the trip, while in Otaru, atmospheric alleys and the canal add a quiet sense of romance. In Hokkaido, even without a special plan, each day feels meaningfully full. Simply staying in that space and fully feeling the time as it flows is enough to make the journey already feel complete.

Located about an hour's drive from Tokushima City, I visited Hiwasa (Minami Town), a place famous for being a sea turtle nesting site. I brought my camera and tripod along, hoping to capture the beautiful Milky Way that can be seen there. Unfortunately, the night sky was cloudy, so I couldn't witness the full starry sky. However, just driving through the coastal town allowed me to take some great photos.

A relaxing trip to the Hiwasa Sea Turtle Museum Caretta. Located in Minami Town, Tokushima Prefecture, the "Hiwasa Sea Turtle Museum Caretta" is a facility where you can learn about the ecology and conservation efforts of sea turtles. The museum features exhibits that allow you to observe sea turtles up close, as well as videos showcasing their nesting process, making it a great spot to deepen your understanding of marine life. 🌊📚 During my visit, I was soothed by the sight of large sea turtles swimming leisurely and felt a connection to nature through the exhibits. The museum offers content enjoyable for both children and adults, making it a perfect stop during your travels. If you're lucky, you might even spot sea turtles during their nesting season on the nearby beach! 🐢✨ Whether you're a couple seeking relaxation through marine life or an individual looking to learn deeply, this place has something for everyone. Next time, I hope to visit on a summer night to witness the sea turtles' nesting under the moonlight. 🌙 [Access] About a 5-minute walk from JR Hiwasa Station. Conveniently located next to the roadside station "Hiwasa.".

#AbsolutelyFreeTravel Yakuoji Temple, located in Minami Town, Tokushima Prefecture, is the 23rd temple of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku. Renowned as a temple for warding off evil spirits, the temple grounds feature a stone staircase known as the Yakuzaka. There's a unique custom of climbing it by placing one yen coin equal to your age. 🪙⛩️ When I actually visited, I felt a sense of calm, enveloped in the quiet air and the aroma of incense. Climbing the Yakuzaka was a truly precious moment of self-reflection. The view from the main hall was also magnificent, and the view of the Pacific Ocean was soothing. 🌊✨ I recommend praying for warding off evil spirits as a couple, or quietly worshiping alone. Stopping by during your travels is a place to reconnect with your mind and find positivity. Next time, I'd like to come back to see the first sunrise of the year. 🌅 [Access] It's about a 10-minute walk from JR Hiwasa Station. The road from the station is well-maintained and easy to walk. Yakuoji Temple #Temple for warding off evil spirits #Shikoku sacred site #Relaxing trip #Domestic travel #Couple trip #Solo trip

The White Lighthouse Hotel in Miha-cho is popular, with easy access to sea turtle spawning grounds, Ohama Coast and Ebisu-dong, and all rooms offer sea views. And you can enjoy the sea view while soaking in the hot springs and fully feel the beauty of Tokushima's nature #check-inhotel

📍Ebisu Cave Ebisu Cave is a 52-meter-high rock mountain that was eroded by waves, leaving a large hole 30 meters in diameter and 40 meters in depth, where rare house martins live. There is also a promenade around the rock mountain, and from the observation deck on the mountain, you can enjoy the view of Ohama Beach and the Pacific Ocean. It is located on a cape east of the roadside station Hiwasa along Ohama Beach, a sea turtle nesting ground. There is no parking lot, but the entrance to Ebisu Cave is a little wide and can accommodate about two passenger cars. After descending from the entrance and seeing Ebisu Cave, continue on and the path will become an uphill path, and you can return to the original path by passing over Ebisu Cave. Looking at the sea through Ebisu Cave is a deep blue and beautiful. #0 yen trip February 2025

📍Odori, Tokushima Prefecture It is located in the mountains, far away, closer to Kochi in Tokushima Prefecture. This is Minami Town🌊 Minami Town is famous for being a town where sea turtles come! A specialty store for "Awa Odori Chicken Dishes" using Tokushima's local chicken "Awa Odori Chicken"! They also sell local ingredients and products directly. All the dishes are delicious, but I recommend the sea turtle burger! By the way, the sea turtle burger does not mean that it uses sea turtle meat🖐　 Don't worry✨️ It's a burger in the shape of a sea turtle~🤭‼ ️ Also, I recommend the Awa Odori Chicken egg pudding🐣🍮 #0 yen trip January 2025

The Ebisu Cave Onsen Hakuto Hotel is perfect for a vacation. All rooms offer ocean views, and you can enjoy tea while sitting on the sofa by the window, taking in the beautiful sea scenery. The open-air bath with a view of the Pacific Ocean is also wonderful. From December to January, you might even catch the sunrise from the horizon while soaking in the open-air bath or from your room. On clear nights, you can see a sky full of stars. The kaiseki cuisine features fresh seafood caught nearby, ensuring maximum freshness.

Ōhama Beach is the perfect summer destination. This beautiful beach stretches approximately 500 meters from south to north and is known for its stable environment, making it an ideal spot for sea turtles to lay their eggs. From mid-May to mid-August each year, sea turtles come ashore to nest. Ōhama Beach, famous for its white sands and tropical atmosphere, has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 beaches. The romantic sunsets here are also not to be missed.

The Ohama Coast is a sandy beach about 500 meters north of South Africa and is famous for its sea turtle spawning site. The Ohama Coast was listed as a nationally designated natural monument in 1967 and was listed as one of the top 100 Japanese coasts in 1996. It is a famous attraction in Tokushima #September Good Places 2024 #Beach

Located in Minami Town, the handheld fireworks at Akamatsu Shrine have a history of about 200 years. These fireworks are meticulously crafted one by one by the NPO Akamatsu Fireworks Preservation Society, divided into about 10 groups. The fireworks shoot out from the tubes like rain, illuminating the autumn night sky. The performance of young people running back and forth among the fireworks is incredibly impressive. This fireworks display is an event to pray for a bountiful harvest and family safety in the coming year.

Although there are several Dono Stations in Tokushima Prefecture, the most convenient one is "Dono Station Hiwaza", which connects JR Hiwaza Station and National Highway 55 #August Good Places 2024 #道の站 Hiwasa

Located in Minami Town, YOROZUYA Benzaiten is a charming old-meets-new style cafe set in a traditional Japanese house. The owner inherited the old house from their family and transformed it into a cozy cafe. Inside, you can find various knick-knacks to explore, and the wooden decor adds a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's a perfect place to relax and unwind. Their handcrafted Vietnamese coffee is rich and aromatic, and definitely worth savoring slowly.

Located in Minami Town, Toyota-ya was founded in 1921 and is a century-old traditional Japanese confectionery shop. Minami Town is famous for being a sea turtle nesting site, so the shop offers sea turtle-themed products such as Sea Turtle Monaka, Sea Turtle Sablé Cookies, and Sea Turtle Eggs. Among these, the Sea Turtle Monaka is highly recommended, featuring two fillings: red bean paste and seaweed paste. The green seaweed paste, in particular, has a unique and refreshing seaweed aroma.

The 23rd "Yokoji" cherry blossoms at the 23rd chapter of the Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites "Yokoji" cherry blossoms, nearly 300 Yayoshi cherry trees, dyed Yoshino cherry blossoms, mountain cherry blossom trees around Yakuoji Temple, turned into a very fantastic pink world, the temple and cherry blossoms at the same time, you can take a beautiful Japanese-style photos, so Yakuoji Temple is famous for removing bad luck. Therefore the period of seeing cherry blossoms at Yakuoji Temple is relatively long #August Good Places 2024 #Yaowang Temple

In Tokushima, there is a gigantic rock mountain that resembles a monster, known as the famous attraction 'Ebisu Cave' located in Minami Town. Constantly eroded by the waves of the Pacific Ocean, Ebisu Cave fully showcases the power and beauty of nature. Ebisu Cave has walking paths that allow visitors to reach the mountain's observation deck, offering distant views of Ohama Coast and the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, by taking the Umigame Marine Cruise for about 40 minutes, you can closely observe the cave from the sea.

DAY 11: Yaowang Temple is dedicated to the Medicine Buddha and is a famous spiritual place for exorcism. Here I also pray for our little daughter, the Grey Parrot, to "be blessed" I hope it can recover soon and be alive and well. The pilgrimage to the Tokushima Hoshin Dojo is now complete. Shikoku Pilgrimage is now one quarter complete Enjoy the famous local delicacy - Awa Oo Chicken at Odori for lunch In the afternoon, ride to Mugi Port and take a ferry to Dewa Island. There are about 70 residents on the island now, and no cars or motorcycles. Take the Central Trail to the lighthouse, then follow the West Trail back to the port The whole journey is about 2 kilometers, and it takes about 30-40 minutes to walk. There are many wooden carts everywhere on the island. It is a tool for ordinary residents to carry goods. Take a short trip through the Showa era to visit the nostalgic island and blue fishing port Visiting the Shrine: ◎Yakuoji Temple, the 23rd, is dedicated to the Medicine Buddha and is a famous place for exorcism. ◎Beige Four-Ban Mackerel Master’s Honbo Accommodation: Haryugetu Guesthouse, Kaiyo Town Today's cycling distance: 67 kilometers Cumulative cycling mileage: 497 km #Japan #四国 #四国平路 #四国Banlutonghaohui #Seto Inland Sea #Shikokudisease #Tokushima #Awa Spiritual Field #kochi #Tosa Sacred Ground #Ehime #Sanuki Sacred Ground #香川 #伊yospiritual field #BicycleTravel #Two people walking together #Kobo Daishi #emptysea #四国平路88燇sho #Gohenro #Shimanami Kaido #Shodoshima #Setonaikai National Park #Don't ask me how much the trip costs #Ask yourself how many years of youth you have left #japan #tokushima #kochi #ehime #takematsu