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Tokushima 📍 Landmark 📷 10

Naruto Whirlpools

鳴門の渦潮

One of the places locals name first when asked what to see here.

See the photos How to get there Open in Maps
Best season Year-round; spring and autumn are most comfortable
Time needed 1–2 hours
Admission Free or modest admission
Opening hours Typically 9:00–17:00

What this place is

The Naruto whirlpools (鳴門の渦潮, Naruto no Uzushio) are tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, a channel between Naruto in Tokushima and Awaji Island in Hyōgo, Japan.The strait between Naruto and Awaji island has a width of about 1.3 km (0.81 miles).The strait is one of the connections between the Pacific Ocean and the Inland Sea, a body of water separating Honshū and Shikoku, two of the main islands of Japan.The tide moves large amounts of water into and out of the Inland Sea twice a day.With a range of up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft), the tide creates a difference in the water level of up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) between the Inland Sea and the Pacific.Due to the narrowness of the strait, the water rushes through the Naruto channel at a speed of about 13–15 km/h (8–9 mph) four times a day, twice flowing in and twice flowing out.

Naruto Whirlpools (鳴門の渦潮) is one of the standout places to visit in Tokushima. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.

Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Why it is worth the trip

  • A setting that gives you the character of the area in a single visit.
  • Scenery and detail that shift with the season, the weather and the time of day.
  • Easy to combine with other stops nearby, so it works as the anchor of a half-day plan.

What you can do here

  • Take the main viewpoint first, then explore the quieter edges most visitors skip.
  • Read the on-site information boards — they usually explain far more than online listings.
  • Photograph in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewest people.
  • Pair the visit with a nearby café, market or hot spring to round out the trip.

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.

Getting there by public transport

  1. Bus from JR Naruto / Tokushima toward Uzu no Michi walkway.
  2. Nearest station/stop: Naruto.

Route on Google Maps

Good to know before you go

  • Check the last admission and last bus/train before you go; rural services stop early.
  • Carry cash — smaller sites and rural transport may not accept cards or IC.
  • Weekday mornings are consistently the calmest time to visit.

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