Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima is a place in Japan.

It sits on a big island called Shikoku.

Many farms grow food here. People grow rice in the flat lands. They also grow sweet potatoes and carrots.

The Yoshino River flows through the land. This river helps the farms grow. It makes the soil very good for plants.

There are many big cities. Tokushima is the largest city. It is the main place for the area.

You can see many green fields. It is a very busy and pretty place.

Tokushima is a place in Japan.

It sits on the island of Shikoku. The area sits by the Kii Channel. This water connects the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea.

Many people live in Tokushima. There are about 682,439 people there. Tokushima City is the largest city. It is also the capital. Other big cities include Anan, Naruto, and Yoshinogawa.

The land has many farms. People grow much food here. Rice grows in the flat areas near the Yoshino River. The soil is very good for plants. Tokushima grows many vegetables. It is a top place for cauliflower and lotus roots. It also grows many carrots. You can find sweet potatoes in Naruto City. People also grow citrus fruit called sudachi.

There are also many mountains. The Sanuki Mountains run along the north border. Some parts of the land are in national parks. These are special areas for nature. The land is a mix of busy cities and green fields.

Tokushima Prefecture is a beautiful part of Japan. It sits on the island of Shikoku.

The land is next to the Kii Channel. This water connects the Pacific Ocean to the Seto Inland Sea. To the north, it borders Kagawa Prefecture. To the west is Ehime Prefecture. To the southwest is Kochi Prefecture.

The area covers 4,146 square kilometers. It is a place where busy cities meet the natural world.

Life in Tokushima is tied to the land and sea. Many people work in farming, forestry, and fishing.

The Yoshino River creates flat, fertile plains. These plains are perfect for growing rice. Much of the other land is used for flowers and vegetables. Tokushima is a very important place for food. It is the biggest supplier of cauliflower and lotus roots in the country. It also produces many carrots.

The history of this place has changed many times. Long ago, it was known as Awa Province. In 1871, a new government system created Myodo Prefecture. This area was much larger back then. It included parts of Awaji Island and Kagawa. Over many years, these parts split away to form new prefectures. By March 2, 1880, the area finally became Tokushima Prefecture. This was a big step in making the borders we see today.

There are many interesting facts about the cities and towns. Tokushima City is the capital and the largest city.

It has a population of 258,554 people. Other major cities are Anan, Naruto, and Yoshinogawa.

In Naruto City, people grow famous sweet potatoes. You can also find citrus fruit called sudachi in Kamiyama-cho. The prefecture has about 682,439 people in total. It is a place filled with many different local flavors.

Today, Tokushima is connecting more with the rest of Japan. The Onaruto Bridge connects the prefecture to Awaji Island. This bridge is part of a large expressway. It helps people travel to the city of Kobe on Honshu.

New things are happening too, like a special tech school in Kamiyama. This school teaches young people about engineering and business. Even though it is a quiet place in some parts, it is always growing. It remains a special part of the Japanese islands.

Tokushima Prefecture is a distinct administrative region located on the island of Shikoku in Japan.

It occupies a total geographic area of 4,146 square kilometers. The prefecture is situated along the Kii Channel. This waterway serves as a vital connection between the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea. To the north, Tokushima shares a border with Kagawa Prefecture. To its west lies Ehime Prefecture, while Kochi Prefecture borders it to the southwest.

The region is positioned across from Wakayama Prefecture on the Kii Peninsula of Honshu.

The borders of Tokushima have undergone significant changes through various government consolidations. Before the Meiji Restoration, the area was known as Awa Province. In 1871, the government abolished the fiefdom system and created Myodo Prefecture. At that time, Myodo Prefecture was much larger than the current borders. It included the Awa region and parts of Awaji Island. In 1873, it also included the land now known as Kagawa Prefecture. The borders shifted again during the second wave of consolidation. The Sanuki Region separated to form Kagawa Prefecture in 1875. In 1876, Awaji Island joined Hyōgo Prefecture, and the Awa region became Kochi Prefecture. Finally, on March 2, 1880, Myodo Prefecture separated from Kochi to become Tokushima Prefecture.

Urban life in the prefecture is centered around several key cities. Tokushima City serves as the capital and is the largest urban center. It has a population of 258,554 people.

Other major cities include Anan, Naruto, and Yoshinogawa. The prefecture as a whole has a population of 682,439 as of February 2025.

The administrative landscape is divided into eight cities and many smaller towns and villages. For example, Anan City has a population of 70,405, while Naruto City has 56,222 residents. These urban areas are connected by various infrastructure projects, such as the Ōnaruto Bridge. This bridge links Tokushima to Awaji Island and the city of Kobe via the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway.

The economy of Tokushima is heavily dependent on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The prefecture is a major producer of various crops. It is the national leader in supplying cauliflower and lotus roots. It also ranks as the fourth largest producer of carrots in Japan.

The fertile plains north of the Yoshino River are essential for rice cultivation. These lowlands and narrow coastal plains support large-scale farming. Many products from Tokushima are shipped to the Kansai region, including Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto. The local government uses a mobile kitchen called "Fresh! Tokushima" to promote local brands across the country.

Agricultural diversity is a defining feature of the Tokushima landscape. Different areas are famous for specific crops. Naruto City is known for its sweet potatoes and lotus roots.

Kamiyama-cho is a primary source for the citrus fruit known as sudachi. In Aizumi-cho, the prefecture produces much of its carrots. Other notable products include bamboo shoots from Anan City and spring onions from Tokushima City. The prefecture is also unique because it is the only place where Japanese indigo is produced. This specialized agriculture helps maintain the region's economic identity.

Industrial and educational development has shaped the modern prefecture. In 1949, Tokushima University was established. The prefecture has seen the growth of thermal electric power plants, such as the one created in Anan in 1963. Recent years have seen a shift toward technology and entrepreneurship. In April 2023, a unique school for tech entrepreneurship opened in Kamiyama. This school teaches students aged 15 to 20 about engineering, programming, and design. It also teaches business skills like marketing and pitching to investors. This initiative was led by Chikahiro Terada of the company Sansan.

Natural features and infrastructure continue to influence how people live in Tokushima. Approximately 9% of the land is designated as Natural Parks. These include the Setonaikai National Park and the Muroto-Anan Kaigan and Tsurugisan Quasi-National Parks.

Large dams, such as the Ikeda Dam on the Yoshino River, manage the water resources. Transportation has also improved through major projects. The completion of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in 1998 connected mainland Japan more closely to the region. These connections between natural beauty and modern engineering define the character of Tokushima today.