Experince the Hisotry of the Yoshinogawa River (2-nighs 3-days)

More than 3 million years ago, the Sanuki Mountain Range did not existence and the Yoshinogawa River flowed to the Sanuki Plain. However, at some point the Philippine Sea Plate collided with the Pacific Ocean Plat which shifted its position by 45°. From this collision, the Sanuki Mountain Range was created and the flow of the Yoshinogawa River changed direction to what we know today.
This change in geography would mean that it was difficult to produce rice due to the steep mountain so for some time people in Tokushima would raise cattle and lend them to farmers in Kagawa, transporting them over the new mountain range. These rented cattle would return at the end of the farming year laden with rice as payment.
The creation of these mountains would also affect Kagawa and would cause a decrease in rainfall. This would eventually lead to the widespread cultivation of wheat in the area as a substitute for rice cultivation due to the lack of water. Today, water is actually transported to Kagawa from Tokushima using tunnels and channels which run through the mountains.
Despite the widespread lack of rice cultivation along the Yoshinogawa River indigo cultivation flourished during the Edo Era (1603-1867) since indigo plants are far more resistant to the regular flooding of the river and thrive on the nutrient-rich soil left by river flooding. Indigo production and trade would be largely responsible for Tokushima’s wealth throughout the Edo Era.
The first dozen or so temples of the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage are located in the towns along the Yoshinogawa River. During the Heian Era (794-1185), visitors to Shikoku from the Ōsaka region would come to Naruto in northern Tokushima by boat and then proceed to the first temple by foot, following along the river and its tributaries for stretches of the way.
The Yoshinogawa River has influenced many aspects of life in both Tokushima as well as Kagawa and has remained an important natural feature since ancient times. This course is designed to allow visitors to experience just some of this long history.

●Highlights
・ Walking pilgrimage from temple #1 to #6
・ Rafting along the Yoshinogawa River, one of the three great rivers of Japan
・ A visit to Udatsu Town, a medieval merchant town which grew rich through the indigo trade
・ Making “Sanuki” Udon noodles

●Main Activity
Walking Ohenro, Rafting, Aizome Indigo Dyeing, Making Udon Noodles

●Months of Operation
Year Round

●Difficulty
★★★☆☆