A practical English guide to Naruto in Tokushima: the whirlpools, the bridge and access from Tokushima and Kobe.
Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 08 November 2026).
Why visit
- Naruto is a city at the northeastern tip of Tokushima, where the Seto Inland Sea squeezes through the Naruto Strait into the Pacific. The tide creates whirlpools that can be watched from boats and from the Onaruto bridge, and they are the reason most visitors come.
- Beyond the whirlpools the city has a coast of parks, a shrine and a practical centre of shops and stations. It is also the gateway to Shikoku from Awaji and Kobe, with the bridge carrying the expressway onto the island.
- Naruto is close to Tokushima city and the airport, which makes it an easy half-day trip, and a natural first stop when arriving in Shikoku by road.
Top places and highlights
Naruto whirlpools
Tidal whirlpools in the strait, best at peak tide.
Onaruto bridge
The bridge to Awaji, with a walkway over the water.
Coastal parks
Parks and viewpoints along the strait.
Gateway to Shikoku
The expressway arrival point from Awaji and Kobe.
Food and drink
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Getting there and around
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Where to stay
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Best time to visit
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Practical tips
- Whirlpool strength depends on the tide; check the timetable.
- Boat trips can be cancelled in rough weather.
- The bridge walkway has an entry fee.
Suggested day-trip outline
- Morning: train or bus from Tokushima.
- Late morning: the whirlpools by boat or from the bridge.
- Lunch: naruto fish cake and a local set meal.
- Afternoon: the coastal parks and viewpoints.
- Late afternoon: the town centre.
- Evening: back to Tokushima, or on to Awaji.
Before you go
Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.
Explore More of Japan
Published guides that pair with this one:
- Anan Travel Guide: Tokushima’s Southern Coast
- Hiwasa Travel Guide: Sea Turtles, Yakuoji and the Pilgrimage Road
- Komatsushima Travel Guide: A Port Town on the Tokushima Coast
- Naruto Travel Guide: Whirlpools under the Onaruto Bridge
- Otoyo Travel Guide: Mountain Villages in Central Kochi
Browse every Shikoku guide on this site for the rest of the region.
Sources
- city.naruto.tokushima.jp (checked 2026-11-08)
- shikoku-tourism.com (checked 2026-11-08)
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