The Naruto whirlpools are one of Japan’s great natural spectacles, formed where the tides surge through the narrow Naruto Strait between Tokushima and Awaji Island. As enormous volumes of water rush between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific with each tide, the clash of currents creates powerful, roaring whirlpools — among the largest in the world, reaching up to 20 metres across at peak spring tides. You can experience them up close from sightseeing boats that nose right to the edge of the swirling water, from above through the glass floor of the Uzu no Michi walkway suspended beneath the Onaruto Bridge, or from viewpoints on shore. The whirlpools are strongest around the spring and autumn spring tides, and timing your visit to the tides is key.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Naruto, Tokushima |
| Hours | Boats & walkway daytime; tide-dependent |
| Admission | Boat & Uzu no Michi fees |
| Time needed | 1–1.5 hours |
| Best time | Spring tides; check the tide timetable |
What to See
- Huge roaring tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait.
- Sightseeing boats nosing to the edge of the vortexes.
- The Uzu no Michi glass walkway beneath the bridge.
- Whirlpools strongest at spring and autumn spring tides.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Otsuka Museum of Art nearby.
- Pair with Naruto sea bream from these waters.
- Read our Tokushima overview .
Getting There
- By car/bus: to Naruto Park for boats and the walkway.
- By boat: sightseeing cruises from Naruto port.
Tips
Check the tide timetable before you go and time your visit to the peak tides, when the whirlpools are largest — they are much weaker at slack tide. Take a sightseeing boat to get closest to the swirling water, or the Uzu no Michi walkway to look straight down through the glass floor, and aim for the spring or autumn spring tides for the most dramatic vortexes.
