The Naruto whirlpools are a beautiful natural phenomenon that occurs within the Naruto Strait, off Shikoku island. These occur when a large volume of water from the Seto Inland Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. The whirlpools usually occur every six hours, but seeing them during the early morning or the afternoon is best.
Getting to the whirlpools is easy. From Tokushima Station, take the train until Naruto Station. After reaching Naruto Station, take a 30-minute bus ride for Naruto Koen.
Along the way, I saw the beautiful Shikoku white sand beaches along with many people fishing at the harbor. Don’t forget to check the bus schedule. The bus for the Naruto whirlpools runs just one or two times per hour, so be sure to watch the time.
You can see the Naruto Whirlpools in two ways. You can see them from a short distance by boat or cruise, or you can also enjoy them from Uzu no Michi, a walkway that passes over the whirlpool. I visited during late winter, so I preferred enjoying the whirlpool through Uzu no Michi. If you visit during the summer, take a 1,800 yen boat ride for a close look at the whirlpool. It might get your clothes wet, but it will make a memorable Shikoku experience.
Uzu no Michi is an observatory bridge built over the Shikoku coast’s Naruto strait during 2000. Here, admission costs only 510 yen. At the entrance gate, there is a schedule for the best time to see the whirlpools. Tickets can be bought at a vending machine or the ticket counter. The walkway is filled with glass panels, which is a little bit scary, because the bridge is 45 meters above the swirling Shikoku whirlpools. The best moment was when the walkway was empty, I stopped on the glass and looked at the sea directly below me. Why not experience the natural phenomenon of the Naruto whirlpools for your summer holiday?
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Naruto Whirlpools
establishment, point_of_interest, tourist_attraction- Naruto, Tokushima 772-0000, Japan
- ★★★★☆
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