Mysterious Flower! Ancient lotus of Shimada Island

Shimada Island floats on the southern tip of Naruto City. It is the second largest island in Tokushima Prefecture, and since the Naruto Skyline opened in 1971, it has become a place where you can enjoy the simple scenery of untouched nature while having convenient transportation.

Here, in order to make the ancient lotus (Oga lotus) a tourist resource, the people of the "Shimada Island Revitalization Project" cultivate it with love every year.

The lotus begins to bloom at dawn, it is a very early flower, fully blooming around 8 a.m., and its petals closing before noon. Sometimes it's a good idea to wake up early and enjoy the crisp morning air and the mysterious appearance of flowers.

Appreciate the lotus root field up close!

Lotus root fields are so actively cultivated that it would be no exaggeration to say that the area around Tatsumichi Station on the Naruto Line stretches as far as the eye can see. Farmers want people to see their lotus root fields up close, so there are some fields with piers built around them.

The saying "a lotus emerges from the mud but is unstained" describes a lotus' ability to live a pure life in any environment, and it turns out that the structure of lotus leaves does not allow water to penetrate them. This is also why smooth water droplets collect on large lotus leaves.

From the pier, you can admire the lotuses from such a distance that you can almost touch them. If you search for "Naruto Lotus Root Pier" on Google Maps you will find the exact location, so why not enjoy a stroll along the surrounding countryside.

Enjoy creative dishes using local lotus roots!

After seeing how it is cultivated, won't you want to eat lotus root next? Renmaru Cafe, also located in Naruto City, offers a menu using lotus root.

Udon noodles mixed with lotus root powder are smooth and go down smoothly, and the flavor goes well with any Japanese, Western, or Chinese style. Another popular item is the hamburger steak made with lotus root. This accentuates the characteristics of Naruto lotus root, which is crisp, crunchy, and soft to the touch.

There is a lotus root field in the center, and thanks to the unusual structure of the seats surrounding the field, so you can relax and enjoy your meal while feeling the nature from any seats.

Appreciate the lotus along with the paintings!

The Otsuka Museum of Art is a museum that brings together all the masterpieces that everyone has seen at least once.
Approximately 1,000 works from the collections of art museums around the world are reproduced in full size, allowing you to get up close and personal with works of art, from ancient murals to contemporary paintings.

At the Otsuka Museum of Art, "Water Lilies" by the impressionist painter Monet is on outdoor display, with real water lilies growing in the pond surrounding the work.

There are blue water lilies, which Monet is said to have admired and painted from his imagination, giving the visitor a sense of realism that makes them feel as if they have entered the world of "Water Lilies."

The best time to see the lotus flowers is from mid-July to mid-August.
Please come and see the mysterious flowers that add color to the waterside in summer.