A 3-Day Road Trip from Kansai International Airport: Drive Through Tokushima’s Whirlpools and the Hidden Iya Valley with Mai!

When renting a car, international travelers generally need to prepare an international driving permit, passport, and a credit card for payment. Your passport will be checked to confirm your most recent date of entry into Japan. If you entered Japan through an automated gate, be sure to show your passport to an officer afterward so that your entry stamp can be added.

To ensure you can secure your preferred vehicle—even during peak seasons or on weekends—it’s recommended to make a reservation online in advance.

Regarding drop-off options, some rental car companies offer one-way rental services, which can be very convenient for travelers visiting multiple destinations. However, policies vary by company, so be sure to check the details on each rental company’s official website.

Toyota Rent-A-Car Kansai Airport Branch

Nippon Rent-A-Car Kansai Airport Office

Nissan Rent-A-Car Kansai Airport Branch

Orix Rent-A-Car Kansai Airport Branch

Times Car Kansai Airport Store

Before you actually drive, be sure to familiarize yourself with Japanese traffic rules.

Departing from Kansai! Whirlpools, Art, and a Gourmet Tour

After renting a car at Kansai International Airport, we drive across the impressive series of bridges and head straight for the Naruto Strait. Feeling the sheer power of nature up close marks the start of this journey.

After getting off the boat, we headed to the “Uzu no Michi” seafloor promenade, built inside the Naruto Bridge. From about 45 meters above the sea, we looked straight down at the deep-blue water and the whirlpools swirling endlessly below our feet. Since it was a rare opportunity, Mai boldly stepped onto the transparent floor for a commemorative photo!

Whirlpool Sightseeing Boat

Address: 264-1 Fukuike, Tosadomariura, Naruto-cho, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture

Visit the site

Uzu no Michi (Whirlpool Walkway)

Address: Naruto-cho, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture (within Naruto Park)

Opening hours: Summer (March to September) 9:00-18:00 / 8:00-19:00 during the long weekend from the end of April to the beginning of May and the summer vacation period from late July to the end of August / Winter (October to February) 9:00-17:00

Visit the site

AoAo Naruto Resort Terrace Cafe Oge

Address: 16-45 Oge, Tosa-tomariura, Naruto Naruto Naruto City , Tokushima Prefecture

Visit the site

Otsuka Museum of Art

Address: Naruto City, Naruto Naruto Tokushima Prefecture

Business hours: 9:30-17:00

Visit the site

JR Hotel Clement Tokushima

Address: 1-61 Tokushima Prefecture Tokushima City, Tera Island

Ponzu

Address: 2-5-1 Minamiuchicho , Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture Prefecture

Business hours: 18:00-23:00

Visit the site

A Scenic Drive! Heading for the Hidden Region of Iya, Taking on Mountain Roads and Suspension Bridges

On Day 2, we finally set out for Tokushima’s hidden gem, Iya. One of the great pleasures of a road trip is being able to enjoy winding mountain roads and ever-changing scenery as you drive.

Koboke Observation Deck

Address: 100-1 Shigemi , Miyoshi City City , Tokushima Prefecture Prefecture

Visit the site

Cafe & Game

Address: 1553-1 Kamino, Yamashiro-cho, Miyoshi-shi , Tokushima Prefecture Miyoshi City, inside Oboke Roadside Station

Business hours: 10:00-17:00

Visit the site

Iya Kazura Bridge

Address: 162-2 Zentoku, Nishiiyayamamura , Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture

Visit the site

After lunch, we continued driving through the Iya Gorge. Along the way, we stopped at scenic spots such as Hinoji Valley, where the river curves in the shape of the Japanese hiragana character “ひ,” and the “Peeing Boy” statue standing boldly on the edge of a cliff.

These small viewpoints scattered along the narrow, winding mountain roads are easy to visit precisely because we were traveling by rental car.

Hinoji Valley

Address: Matsuo, Ikeda Ikeda Town, Miyoshi City , Tokushima Prefecture - Nagoro, Higashi-Iya

Manneken Pis

Address: Tokushima Prefecture, Miyoshi City , Ikeda Town-cho Matsuo to Miyoshi City, Nishi-Iyayama Village

For this night, we stayed at Oboke Iya Mannaka. Dinner featured creative regional cuisine made with the bounty of Tokushima’s mountains and rivers — gentle, comforting dishes that were kind to both body and soul.

This hotel also offers a spectacular open-air bath with one of the best views overlooking the Oboke Gorge. Soaking in the hot spring while gazing down at the valley carved by nature was a truly luxurious experience. Staying at a hot spring inn tucked away in this mystical, secluded area helped us fully recover from the day’s drive and the thrill of crossing mountain roads and vine bridges.

In the middle of Oboke Gorge

Address: 1644-1 Nishiu , Miyoshi City -cho, Miyoshi City , Tokushima Prefecture

Visit the site

On our last day, we left the remote area and headed to Naruto, enjoying gourmet food and choosing souvenirs before returning the rental car.

Donoura Naruto Main Store

Address: 194 Tokushima Prefecture, Naruto City Naruto Take Island

Business hours: 11:00-14:00 / 18:00-20:00

Visit the site

Honke Matsuura Brewery

Address: 19 Yanagimoto, Ikeya, Oasacho, Naruto City , Tokushima Prefecture

Visit the site

Mount Ryozen

Address: 126 Bando Tsukahana, Oasacho, Naruto City , Tokushima Prefecture

Visit the site

Roadside Station Kurukuru Naruto

Address: 338-1 Kanida no Koshi, Bizenjima, Otsu-cho , Naruto City , Tokushima Prefecture Ozu Town

Business hours: 9:00-17:00

Visit the site

If you enjoy deeper, more immersive travel experiences and value the freedom of setting your own pace, we highly recommend renting a car directly from Kansai International Airport and driving to Tokushima.

In this mystical region of Japan, filled with rich colors, dramatic landscapes, and abundant local cuisine, you’re sure to find yourself completely captivated.