Naruto Whirlpools Tokushima 2026: Best Viewing Times
Experience the natural wonder of Japan's Naruto Whirlpools. Learn the best tide times, transit routes, and how to save on Uzunomichi Walkway tickets.
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Experience the natural wonder of Japan's Naruto Whirlpools. Learn the best tide times, transit routes, and how to save on Uzunomichi Walkway tickets.
Where? 🇯🇵 Tokushima, Japan | Vibe: Scenic Coastal Town |
Highlight: Naruto Whirlpools & Uzunomichi Walkway |
(c o n t e n t s) | |
01 | What are the Naruto Whirlpools? |
02 | How to Get to Uzunomichi Walkway |
03 | Admission & Observatory Vibe |
04 | Pro Tips for Catching the Best Whirlpools |
05 | Honest Review & Day-Trip Ideas |
🌊
If you are planning a trip to Shikoku, the Naruto Whirlpools are an absolute must-see.
To help you plan, we have put together a complete guide on how to get there,
when to visit for the best views, and whether it is worth adding to your itinerary!
💡 Quick Visitor Guide
Category | Details |
Attraction Name | Uzunomichi Walkway (渦の道, Uzunomichi) |
Location | Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan |
Opening Hours | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM (Last Entry: 05:30 PM) *Extended during Golden Week & Summer holidays |
Closed Days | Second Monday of March, June, September, and December |
Official Admission | ✔︎ Adults: 510 JPY (~$3) ✔︎ JHS/HS Students: 410 JPY (~$3) ✔︎ Elementary Students: 260 JPY (~$2) 💴 Cash only on-site |
Online Booking | Save about 100 JPY (~$1) by booking ahead on platforms like Klook |
Duration | Approx. 30 to 60 minutes |
Parking | Paid parking available at the Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall |
Best Time to Visit | Around peak daily tide times (check the tide calendar) |
TOKUSHIMA | 📍 Naruto City 鳴門市 |
徳島 | 📸 🍴🛍️ |
These massive marine vortexes form in the Naruto Strait due to the dramatic tide differences between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
The water rushes through the narrow strait at speeds of up to 12 mph (20 km/h), creating spectacular whirlpools that can reach up to 65 feet (20 meters) in diameter!
It is a rare and mesmerizing natural phenomenon, making it one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Tokushima.
*Naruto Strait: The channel separating Tokushima (Shikoku) and Awaji Island (Hyogo/Kobe)*
📌 Book Your Uzunomichi Observatory Tickets Here
Tokushima Uzunomichi & Onaruto Bridge Eddy Hall Ticket | Naruto
*Pre-booking online is cheaper than buying on-site!*
📍 Uzunomichi Walkway
Fukuike Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053, Japan
📍 Tokushima Station
1 Chome-61 Terashimahonchonishi, Tokushima, 770-0831, Japan
The Uzunomichi Walkway is located on the edge of the strait, a bit of a distance from central Tokushima Station.
JR Tokushima Station
(徳島駅)
⬇️
JR Naruto Station
(鳴門駅)
+
🚕 Taxi: 15–20 minutes
or
🚌 Local Bus: 20–25 minutes
There is no direct train all the way to the strait.
You will need to take the train to Naruto Station
and transfer to a local bus or grab a taxi.
Take the bus bound for Naruto Park <鳴門公園>
① Tokushima Station → Naruto Park
✔️ Board at the Tokushima Station bus terminal
⏰ Travel Time
Approx. 70 to 80 minutes
📍 Tokushima Station
3 Chome Terashimahonchohigashi, Tokushima, Tokushima Prefecture 770-0832, Japan
📍 Tokushima Awaodori Airport
Asahino-16-2 Toyohisa, Matsushige, Itano District, Tokushima 771-0213, Japan
📍 Naruto Station
Muya-cho Kokuwajima Maehama, Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture 772-0012, Japan
📍 Uzunomichi Walkway
Fukuike Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053, Japan
② Tokushima Airport → Naruto Park
⏰ Travel Time
Approx. 40 minutes
The airport sits right between Tokushima Station
and the Uzunomichi Walkway.
Heading straight to the whirlpools from the airport
is actually faster and more convenient!
*Since the famous Otsuka Museum of Art is nearby,
it is highly recommended to pair these two attractions together.
🚶♀️ From the Naruto Park Bus Stop:
Approx. 10 to 15-minute walk to the entrance
✔️ From Tokushima City: Approx. 40–50 minutes
✔️ From Osaka: Approx. 2 hours
🅿️ Parking Fee: 500 JPY (~$3)
🏷️ 10% Rental Car Discount Code
Must book through the link above to apply the discount
Tokushima is not the easiest city to navigate via public transit.
Buses are infrequent and taxis can be hard to flag down.
If you want a stress-free trip, renting a car is highly recommended!
While the on-site ticket is 510 JPY (~$3) for adults, you can save roughly ~$1 per ticket by purchasing online through Klook or KKday ahead of time.
Every little bit adds up! If you want to keep your travel budget tight, we definitely recommend securing your tickets in advance.
Category | Official JPY Price | Klook/KKday Price (Est. USD) | Your Savings |
Adult | 510 JPY | ~$3 | ~$3 |
JHS/HS Student | 410 JPY | ~$3 | ~$2 |
Elementary Student | 260 JPY | ~$2 | ~$1 |
📌
Book Tickets Online:
The Uzunomichi Walkway is built right under the Onaruto Bridge! It is surprisingly long, and because it is completely open to the sea breeze, it might feel a bit thrilling if you are afraid of heights.
The absolute highlight of the walk is the glass floor panels scattered along the path.
Standing directly above the rushing ocean currents and watching the whirlpools swirl beneath your feet is an incredible rush.
Keep your phone ready to capture the swirling water right under your shoes!
📸 The classic glass-floor shoe shot:
The Naruto Whirlpools are
not visible at all times of the day.
To see the massive, dramatic vortexes, you must time your visit with the tides. Checking the official tide calendar is essential before heading out!
🌀 Check the Official Naruto Tide Calendar Here
✔️ Within 1 hour before or after high/low tide is the prime viewing window!
✔️ Strong whirlpools occur roughly twice a day
✔️ The largest whirlpools occur during Spring and Autumn
* 満潮: High Tide
* 干潮: Low Tide
Understanding Tide Strengths on the Calendar:
⏰ Red Times → Spring Tide (大潮) - **Best time!** Maximum size and speed.
⏰ Blue Times → Medium Tide (中潮) - Good, moderately sized whirlpools.
⏰ Black Times → Neap Tide (小潮) - Smaller, less defined whirlpools.
How much time should you budget?
Spring Tide (Red) → Arrive within 2 hours of peak time Medium Tide (Blue) → Arrive within 1.5 hours of peak time Neap Tide (Black) → Arrive within 1 hour of peak time |
Is Uzunomichi Walkway worth it?
During the peak spring tide, I opted for a whirlpool sightseeing cruise first, then headed up to the Uzunomichi Walkway. I got a little lost taking photos along the way, so I arrived slightly after the peak tide.
Even though I missed the absolute peak, I could still see several beautifully defined whirlpools swirling below. It was absolutely worth it!
Tokushima is a quiet prefecture, and while the city center is charming, the Naruto Strait is easily its most dramatic and memorable attraction. It is a mandatory stop on any Shikoku road trip.
📌 Quick Checklist Before You Go |
1. Always check the tide calendar in advance ⭐️ |
2. Budget about 30–40 minutes just for the walkway |
3. Budget 1.5 to 2 hours if you want to pair it with a whirlpool cruise |
4. Pair this with the nearby Otsuka Museum of Art for a perfect day itinerary |
5. While buses exist, renting a car is by far the easiest way to visit |
If I had to recommend just one attraction in Tokushima, it would definitely be the Uzunomichi Walkway.
While the local Awa Odori dance performances are incredibly fun, the raw, natural power of the Naruto Strait is a unique spectacle you won't find anywhere else in Japan.
Double-check those tide times, book your discount tickets online, and enjoy one of Japan's most unique coastal wonders! :)
ⓒ TABIYA
The official admission fee is 510 yen for adults, 410 yen for junior high and high school students, and 260 yen for elementary school students. Only cash is accepted on-site. If you book in advance online through platforms like Klook, you can purchase tickets for about 100 yen cheaper than the official price.
If you take a bus bound for Naruto Park from the front of Tokushima Station, it takes about 70 to 80 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train to Naruto Station and then transfer to a taxi or bus.
It is best to check the tide tables and visit about an hour before or after high tide or low tide, especially during spring tides. Seasonally, the whirlpools are at their largest in spring and autumn.
If you are only visiting the observatory, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The Otsuka Museum of Art is located near the Naruto whirlpools, so it is highly recommended to plan your itinerary to visit both as a one-day course.
The operating hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last admission at 5:30 PM. The regular closing days are the second Monday of March, June, September, and December every year.
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