Hiwasa: Sea Turtles, Yakuoji Temple and the Quiet South Coast of Tokushima

Quick answer: Hiwasa (Minami town) is a small seaside town on Tokushima’s south coast. Visit Yakuoji, Temple 23 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, famous as a temple for warding off bad luck, then see the loggerhead sea turtles at the newly renovated Caretta museum (¥1,000; closed Mondays) and walk Ohama Beach, where turtles come ashore to lay eggs in summer. Note: organised night-time turtle watching is suspended for now, and the nesting beach is closed at night in season. Hiwasa is best by car along Route 55; the JR Mugi Line also stops here.

I live in Tokushima, and I’ve prayed at Yakuoji and visited the sea turtle museum and Ohama Beach in Hiwasa. It’s a good stop if you’re driving the south coast towards Kochi.

Yakuoji: the temple for warding off bad luck

Yakuoji is Temple 23 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, founded in 726. It’s especially famous as a yakuyoke temple — a place to pray for protection in your yakudoshi, the “unlucky years” of Japanese tradition (for example 42 for men and 33 for women).

You climb up to the main hall on stone steps named for those ages:

• the men’s slope of 42 steps,
• the women’s slope of 33 steps,
• and a 61-step slope for people turning 60.

I’ve visited and climbed up myself.

See Shikoku Pilgrimage: Tokushima’s Temples 1–23 — Yakuoji is the last temple in Tokushima Prefecture.

Ohama Beach and the sea turtles

Ohama Beach is a sandy beach in Hiwasa. Loggerhead sea turtles have come ashore here to lay their eggs for generations, and the turtles and their nesting beach were the first in Japan to be designated a national natural monument. I’ve walked the beach myself.

In the nesting season (20 May – 20 August):

• The nesting area is closed to people from 19:30 to 4:00, and nearby roads are closed to cars at night.
• No flash photography, lights, fireworks, camping or sleeping in cars near the beach.
• Organised turtle-watching has been suspended for now, because far fewer turtles have been coming ashore in recent years.

So please don’t plan a night visit to watch nesting. The museum is the best way to see the turtles.

Caretta: the sea turtle museum

Hiwasa Umigame Museum “Caretta”, beside Ohama Beach, reopened in July 2025 after renovation. It’s all about sea turtles. I’ve been to the museum myself.

• Admission: ¥1,000 for adults and high school students, ¥500 for junior high, ¥300 for elementary.
• Hours: 9:00–17:00. Closed Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday).
• Access: about 15 minutes’ walk from JR Hiwasa Station. Car park (about 40 spaces).

Hiwasa Castle

On the hill above the harbour, the white Hiwasa Castle looks old but was built in 1978 as a lookout — it isn’t a reconstruction of an original castle. It’s a short climb for the view over the town. I haven’t been up myself.

Getting there

• By car (easiest): take Route 55 south from Tokushima along the coast. Hiwasa is about 60 km from Naruto IC. Combine it with a drive on to Muroto in Kochi.
• By train: the JR Mugi Line (Awa-Muroto Seaside Line) from Tokushima stops at Hiwasa Station, which is also a roadside station. Trains are infrequent, so check the timetable.

See Renting a Car in Shikoku and Driving in Rural Shikoku.

Where to stay

Stay in Hiwasa itself for a quiet night by the sea, or carry on to the south coast — see Where to Stay in Tokushima.

FAQ

Can I see sea turtles laying eggs at Ohama Beach?
Organised watching is suspended for now, and the nesting area is closed at night in season. Visit the Caretta museum instead.

What is Yakuoji famous for?
It’s Temple 23 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and a well-known temple for warding off bad luck, with steps for the “unlucky ages”.

How do I get to Hiwasa?
By car on Route 55, or by JR Mugi Line from Tokushima to Hiwasa Station.

Is the turtle museum open every day?
No, it’s closed on Mondays.

Opening hours, fees and turtle protection rules checked on official Minami Town, Caretta and Yakuoji websites on 25 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.