Komatsushima: Tanuki, Railway Heritage and Riverside Relaxation

Komatsushima offers a range of points of interest for planning a trip: a distinctive Tanuki statue, railway heritage sites, places to play together, and waterside recreation. The places below differ in whether they focus on a single attraction, a park setting, or the waterfront area.

Tanuki Statue with Waterfall

At Nihon Flash Tanuki Plaza stands a bronze Tanuki statue that is five meters tall, five meters in circumference, and weighs five tons. It is considered the world’s largest bronze Tanuki statue. Its impressive dimensions contribute to its impact, as does its interactive feature: when visitors clap their hands, a waterfall behind the statue starts flowing. If you want to experience this mechanism, check before your visit whether it is working. The statue’s striking dimensions and its interaction with the waterfall are equally central to this plaza.

Railway Heritage at Komatsushima Station Park

The Work Staff SL Memorial Plaza in Komatsushima Station Park commemorates railway history. The station building from the time the Japan National Railways Komatsushima Line opened has been reconstructed there, and an actual steam locomotive is also on display. These two features offer different ways to experience railway heritage: a reconstructed station building and a locomotive on display. For visitors interested in railway history, the distinction is that one recalls a building from the line’s opening period, while the steam locomotive is an actual rail vehicle on display.

Park Areas and Connections

Komatsushima Station Park comprises the Work Staff SL Memorial Plaza, Nihon Flash Tanuki Plaza, and Waren Plaza, as well as the education center with the city library. These areas are connected by a green walking path or promenade. For orientation, it is useful to consider both the individual plazas and facilities and how they connect through the park. If you are planning to visit specific areas, check the current park layout in advance, as the configuration may change.

Playing Together at Work Staff SL Memorial Plaza

An inclusive, large-scale play structure was completed at Work Staff SL Memorial Plaza in 2023. It allows children of different heights, with or without disabilities, to play together. The play area is popular with children on days off. If you plan to visit this area, also take its heavy use on days off into account. Alongside its railway heritage, the plaza has a distinct focus on playing together.

Relaxing at the Former Ferry Landing

Another place to relax is the former ferry landing in Komatsushima-chō. It has a wooden deck, a boardwalk, and adjoining parkland, where you can feel the sea breeze. Unlike the attractions at Station Park, the focus here is on waterside relaxation. The waterfront therefore offers a different perspective from the connected plazas and facilities in the park.

Planning Your Trip

For planning your trip, the places can be distinguished by their focus: at Station Park, the promenade connects several plazas and facilities, while the former ferry landing is a place to relax by the water. If you are looking for a hotel in Komatsushima, this comparison can help you first organize your interests at your destination and choose a suitable theme as a starting point for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Matsushige, Miyoshi, Anan, Obatake, Toyooka, Kaiyo, Mima, Naruto

For the broader travel overview: Tokushima Prefecture.