In Tokushima Prefecture the Yoshino River flows through the beautiful, rocky Ōboke Gorge near the entrance to the Iya Valley. The dramatic rapids on the river are popular with photographers and people who enjoy rafting. Gentle boat rides are also available, from which you can often see cormorants resting on the rocks.

The gorge is also home to many kinds of traditional Japanese monsters — you can find statues of them dotted about, there’s a museum for them at the Michi no Eki, and there’s a monster festival in November.