JP · Tokushima Prefecture · 34.17°N 134.62°E

naruto

Tidal whirlpools beneath a huge bridge, sweet potatoes and Shikoku pilgrimage temples.

Best time
March–May and October–November are best. The whirlpools are biggest at spring tides, around new and full moon, especially in spring. August–September brings heat and typhoons.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Osaka Kansai (about 6.5 hours). Highway buses from Osaka cross Awaji Island and reach Naruto in about 2 hours. Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Tokushima Prefecturenaruto34.17°N 134.62°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Tidal whirlpools beneath a huge bridge, sweet potatoes and Shikoku pilgrimage temples.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingNarutoJP, Tokushima Prefecture
KLnaruto
≈ 4,848 km from KL, as the crow flies
Ōnaruto Bridge at Naruto, Tokushima prefecture, Japan

Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Naruto sits on the strait between Shikoku and Awaji Island, where the tide forces the sea through a narrow gap and churns it into whirlpools. It's also home to the first temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage and a museum of full-size ceramic copies of Western masterpieces.

Makan

  1. Naruto kintokiSweet potatoes grown in the sandy coastal soil, roasted or made into cakes.Map ↗
  2. Naruto wakameFirm, springy seaweed from the strong currents, in soups and salads.Map ↗
  3. Naruto sea breamFish from the strait, as sashimi, grilled or cooked with rice.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Whirlpool boatsSmall boats go right up to the whirlpools under the Onaruto Bridge.Map ↗
  2. Uzu no MichiA walkway under the bridge with glass floor panels, 45 metres above the swirling water.Map ↗
  3. Otsuka Museum of ArtOver 1,000 full-size ceramic copies of Western paintings, including a whole Sistine Chapel.Map ↗
  4. Ryozen-jiTemple No. 1 of the 88-temple Shikoku pilgrimage, where pilgrims buy their white robes.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The boats and the walkway publish daily tide tables. Go near peak flow; at slack tide there's little to see.
  • The whirlpool sights are around Naruto Park, a long way from Naruto Station, so take a bus that stops at the park.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.