Naruto Strait Whirlpools: Tokushima Bus Guide 2026
Planning a trip to Tokushima's incredible Naruto Strait whirlpools? Find out the easiest way to get there by bus, including timetables and essential tips for your 2026 visit!
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Planning a trip to Tokushima's incredible Naruto Strait whirlpools? Find out the easiest way to get there by bus, including timetables and essential tips for your 2026 visit!
TOKUSHIMA
Naruto Strait
Your Guide to Japan's Tokushima: How to Reach the Naruto Whirlpool Observatory & Bus Timetables
© Yeoreum | Text & Photos
The Naruto Strait is a sea nestled between the Shikoku region and Awaji Island,
renowned globally as a rare
whirlpool strait.
When the strong currents of high and low tides collide, they create swirling whirlpools,
and when they're at their strongest, they can reportedly grow up to about 20m in diameter!
Ready to witness this incredible natural wonder firsthand?
I'll share my guide on how to get to Naruto Strait and my experience visiting! '-'
1. How to Get to Naruto Strait
From Tokushima, you can easily reach Naruto Strait by taking
Bus No. 17 or 18 directly from Bus Stop 16
in front of Tokushima Station.
Here's the bus timetable for Naruto Strait (Bus No. 17 and 18).
Boarding Station: Tokushima Station (Terminal)
Arrival Station: Naruto Park (Terminal)
The timetable might look a bit daunting,
but since both your boarding and arrival stops are terminals,
you only need to check the very top row (departure times)
and the very bottom row (arrival times).
Good to know: you can ride Bus No. 17 and 18 to Naruto Strait
for free if you use the 2-day bus pass
available when you arrive at Tokushima Airport!
2. Naruto Park Station
Once you alight at Naruto Park,
you'll need to head up the stairs visible right in front of you.
Once you're up, you'll spot about three charming small shops.
After you've had your fill of the incredible whirlpools,
it would be absolutely perfect to grab lunch here and enjoy the stunning sea view.
3. The Whirlpools
Naruto Strait entrance tickets can be purchased on-site,
but if you book through a reservation platform,
you can save about ~$1!
✔ If you only want to see the Naruto Strait (whirlpools) → Select 渦の道 (Uzu-no-Michi)
✔ If you want to visit the memorial hall as well
→ Select 渦の道 (Uzu-no-Michi) + Eddy Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall
Just a heads-up, same-day bookings aren't possible, so make sure to reserve in advance!
When you enter, just show your QR code,
and make sure to grab a Korean pamphlet for the Naruto Strait,
plus a paper crane and postcard as gifts!
In Japan, paper cranes symbolize longevity, good fortune, and peace,
so they're a lovely way to wish you a wonderful journey –
a true expression of Japanese hospitality, they say! Haha.
Once inside, you'll walk along a path
with railings on both sides.
With the wind rushing through the gaps
and the fierce waves clearly visible below,
it feels subtly thrilling, if not a little dizzying!
Along the path, there are sections with glass floors,
and they were so magnificent, photos couldn't even capture it.
You can hear the crashing waves below,
and walking on the glass made my heart really pound!
At each glass section, I couldn't help but stop to admire the incredible view of the sea.
What's more, the currents get stronger as you go further in,
and if you time your visit with high tide, you'll witness an even more overwhelming spectacle.
Check the Naruto Strait high tide times on the page below!
↓
Go a little further inside, and you'll reach the spot
where you can witness the whirlpools.
They form when strong incoming and outgoing tides collide,
creating differences in water current.
It's truly mesmerizing to see the water swirling in real-time... ✨
They don't just appear in one spot;
instead, large and small whirlpools constantly appear and disappear
all over certain sections of the sea.
You can also take a boat to experience the currents firsthand,
but I'm a bit scared of the water, so I didn't go.
If you're interested, you can pre-book your cruise tickets
on the page below.
This is a unique experience you can only find on a trip to Tokushima, Japan,
so if you're not afraid of the water, I highly recommend giving it a try!
[ Naruto Strait Cruise Booking Page ]
There's a photo zone where you can snap some pictures,
and sections where you can really get up close and personal with the powerful currents.
The whirlpools and currents are so mesmerizing and mysterious,
you'll find yourself staring blankly in awe,
so I'd recommend allowing a generous amount of time for your visit,
around 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Observation Deck
Remember those shops we saw before getting to the Naruto Strait?
If you face the shops and head right, you'll find the observation deck.
You get a panoramic view of the Naruto Strait and the grand bridge,
making it a fantastic spot for photos with the strait in the background.
When I visited, the weather was a bit cloudy,
so it wasn't at its prettiest,
but I bet the scenery on a clear day would be absolutely stunning! 🥹
If I had to pick the most memorable moment
from my trip to Tokushima, Japan,
I would definitely choose the moment I visited the Naruto Strait.
The swirling whirlpools were mystical,
and the currents felt different from any other sea
I'd ever experienced.
If you're heading to Tokushima, you absolutely must check it out! 🌀
<< Book Your Tokushima Naruto Strait Ticket Here >>
From bus stop 16 in front of Tokushima Station, you can take bus number 17 or 18 directly to Naruto Park. Tokushima Station is the departure terminal, and Naruto Park is the arrival terminal.
While tickets can be purchased on-site, booking through a reservation platform allows you to buy them for about ~$1 less. Same-day reservations are not possible, so please book in advance.
If you only wish to see the whirlpools, you can choose 'Uzunomichi'. If you want to visit the memorial hall as well, you can choose 'Uzunomichi + Eddy Naruto Bridge Memorial Hall'.
To fully enjoy the whirlpools and currents, it is recommended to allocate about 30 minutes to 1 hour for your visit. Please note that you might spend more time stopping to observe in the glass floor section and the whirlpool section.
If you have the 2-day bus pass that can be obtained upon arrival at Tokushima Airport, you can ride bus numbers 17 and 18 to Naruto Strait for free.
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