One of Japan's three most secret places to enjoy cherry blossoms is Oboke, a hidden mountain station in Shikoku

#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025 On a drizzling April day when cherry blossoms were in full bloom, I visited Oboke in the Shikoku Mountains, a very quiet train station with few people. I crossed the railway and strolled along the Oboke Valley stream. Although it was drizzling, walking on the trail with an umbrella among the blooming cherry blossoms was also a romantic experience. Oboke Gorge, known as one of Japan's three most secret places, is a cliff valley carved by a turbulent river. It retains the beautiful and rugged undeveloped scenery of the cliff canyon and is known as one of the most scenic spots in western Japan. In spring and autumn, the canyon is covered with a sea of ​​pink cherry blossoms and fiery red maple leaves, as beautiful as a painting. The most convenient way to get to Oboke, besides driving or chartering a car, is to take the JR train, where you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. You can also take the Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat down the river and admire the beauty of the turbulent river in the valley. #ShikokuTravel #Tokushima #Oboke