Irodoriyama is a nature park in Kamikatsu Town, Katsuura District, Tokushima Prefecture, created around the theme of “irodori,” meaning color and variety. The park was established as part of Kamikatsu’s innovative leaf business, which turns the leaves and flowers of local plants into decorative ingredients used in Japanese cuisine. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature while discovering how this distinctive local industry supports the community.
Irodoriyama opened on July 24, 2018, as a training and cultivation center for producers involved in Kamikatsu’s leaf business. Local farmers and trainees grow leaves, flowers, and other plant materials that are sold for use in culinary presentation.
The park was developed by improving approximately 30 hectares of cedar-covered mountain land near Tsukigatani Onsen. Its main features include the Irodoriyama Training Farm and Irodori Bridge, a suspension bridge crossing the Katsura River. Surrounded by forests and mountain scenery, the area offers opportunities to appreciate the changing colors of nature throughout the year.
The training farm is the centerpiece of the park. Covering approximately 0.5 hectares within a cedar forest, it grows 15 types of plants used in the leaf business, including Japanese maple, wasabi leaves, nandina, lotus leaves, and azaleas.
Visitors may have opportunities to experience harvesting leaves and flowers, while aspiring farmers can learn cultivation techniques through training programs. The farm also serves as a testing ground for new plant varieties and growing methods, helping develop the range of materials available to local producers.
Irodori Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Katsura River. It measures 62 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width, with the deck approximately 15 meters above the river. The bridge connects Irodoriyama with facilities on the opposite bank, including Tsukigatani Onsen and a campground.
Crossing the bridge provides attractive views of the river, wooded slopes, and surrounding mountains. The scenery changes with the seasons, and the contrast between the river and autumn foliage makes the bridge a particularly appealing place for photography.
Irodoriyama is also part of a wider effort to revitalize the local community and improve the mountain environment. Some cedar forests planted after World War II had been left without sufficient management, contributing to concerns such as slope instability and landslides.
The project has therefore included thinning cedar trees, exploring alternative uses for forest land, and planting new trees and shrubs. Local farmers, trainees, and schoolchildren have participated in these activities, helping create a healthier forest environment while developing new opportunities for local agriculture.
By combining environmental conservation with the cultivation of plants for the leaf business, Irodoriyama supports both the sustainable use of local forests and the livelihoods of farmers. The plants grown here contribute to a distinctive regional industry that connects nature, agriculture, and Japanese food culture.
The training farm features a variety of plants selected for their distinctive leaf shapes, colors, and seasonal characteristics. Depending on the time of year, visitors may encounter:
Holly, magnolia, camellia, persimmon leaves, manryo and senryo ornamental plants, red nandina, nandina, Japanese maple, wasabi leaves, iris leaves, lotus leaves, cherry blossoms, flowering peach, and azaleas.
These plants illustrate how leaves and flowers that might otherwise be overlooked can become valuable materials for decorating traditional Japanese dishes. Their changing colors and textures also make the farm an appealing place to observe seasonal changes in the natural world.
Kamikatsu’s leaf business involves growing and selling leaves, wild plants, and flowers that restaurants use to decorate Japanese cuisine. These natural materials add color, texture, and a seasonal touch to dishes, reflecting the Japanese culinary appreciation of presentation and the changing seasons.
Irodoriyama provides a place to learn about this distinctive industry and the agricultural knowledge behind it. Through cultivation and harvesting experiences, visitors can gain a better understanding of how local farmers turn the resources of the surrounding mountains into specialized products.
Located close to Irodoriyama, Tsukigatani Onsen offers visitors an opportunity to relax after exploring the park. Set in a quiet mountain valley along the upper reaches of the Katsura River, this hot spring destination is known for its natural surroundings and peaceful atmosphere. It has also been selected as one of Tokushima Prefecture’s scenic destinations under the “Tokushima 88 Views” initiative.
According to local legend, the Buddhist monk Kūkai, also known as Kōbō Daishi, was practicing ascetic training among the rocky slopes of Mount Tsukigatani when Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing, appeared and revealed the location of a medicinal spring. The spring has since been associated with healing and well-being.
Tsukigatani Onsen uses a simple sulfur cold mineral spring with a source temperature of approximately 14.5°C. The water is heated to a comfortable bathing temperature at the facility. Traditionally, the spring has been associated with relief for conditions such as rheumatism, neuralgia, and certain skin ailments, although these benefits should not be regarded as a substitute for medical treatment.
A campground near the hot spring provides an opportunity to combine outdoor activities with a relaxing soak. Visitors can enjoy camping, barbecues, and riverside recreation in a natural setting, making the area suitable for families and groups of friends.
Irodoriyama and Tsukigatani Onsen are close to each other and can be visited together in a single day. Begin by exploring the training farm and learning about Kamikatsu’s leaf business, then cross Irodori Bridge to enjoy the scenery along the Katsura River. Afterward, unwind at the hot spring or spend more time outdoors at the nearby campground.
This combination offers a varied experience of rural Tokushima, bringing together agriculture, forest conservation, local culture, mountain scenery, and traditional hot spring bathing.
Spring: Cherry blossoms and fresh green foliage bring color to the park and surrounding mountains. It is an inviting season for walking, photography, and discovering new growth at the training farm.
Autumn: The surrounding mountains take on warm shades of red, orange, and yellow. Views from Irodori Bridge are particularly attractive, making autumn a rewarding time for scenic walks and photography.
Plants at the training farm change throughout the year, so every season offers a different perspective on the leaves and flowers used in the local industry.
Irodoriyama is approximately a 60-minute drive from JR Tokushima Station. Traveling by car is a convenient way to reach the park and explore the surrounding mountain area.
Tsukigatani Onsen and its campground are nearby, making it easy to combine a visit to the park with hot spring bathing and outdoor activities. Because public transportation in this mountainous area may be limited, check local bus schedules and onward transportation options before setting out.
Irodoriyama offers more than a scenic park. It introduces visitors to Kamikatsu’s innovative leaf business, in which local knowledge of plants and seasons has developed into a distinctive agricultural industry. Its training farm demonstrates how leaves and flowers can become valuable culinary materials, while forest regeneration activities show how the surrounding landscape can be managed more sustainably.
With the scenic Irodori Bridge, the nearby Katsura River, and Tsukigatani Onsen just across the water, Irodoriyama makes an appealing stop for travelers exploring the mountains of Tokushima. Visit in spring for fresh greenery or in autumn for colorful foliage, and discover how nature, local livelihoods, and community revitalization come together in Kamikatsu.