Naruto, Tokushima, Japan

AsiaTravel

Nov 25

Written By Anne

Naruto (鳴門) is a city at the northern tip of Shikoku Island, famous for its whirlpools in the Naruto Strait beneath the Onaruto Bridge.

I took a train from Tokushima Station to Naruto Station, then a bus to Naruto Park. From there, it’s a short walk to the Uzu-no-Michi Walkway (渦の道) under the bridge, which gives great views of the whirlpools below. Since whirlpools aren’t always visible, I checked the timing the night before to plan my visit. The walkway even has glass panels on the floor allowing for clear views.

After seeing the whirlpools, I explored the park and its viewpoints. Naruto Park is also the starting point for the Shikoku no Michi hiking trails ((四国のみち)). I wanted to see the lighthouse too, but the trail was closed for maintenance.

Later, I took a bus to the port and boarded a sightseeing boat to see the whirlpools up close. There are upper and lower deck options; the upper deck costs more but has better seating and vantage point. Being right next to the whirlpools was mesmerizing.

Other attractions include the Otsuka Museum of Art, which was closed during my visit but comes highly recommended. I ended my trip with a bowl of udon near the bridge.