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JapanTokushimaTravel

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

by kumamonjeng November 28, 2018
written by kumamonjeng November 28, 2018
Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Naruto 鳴門, Tokushima Prefecture 徳島県

When people mentioned about Naruto, people usually related it to the Japanese manga series, the guy with the yellow hair and a bandana on the head. The Naruto that I like to talk about is a coastal city on Shikoku Island in Tokushima Prefecture Japan. Just to give you an idea of the Naruto location, it is 1 hour and 20 mis from Kobe and 2 hours from Osaka.

Naruto is a tiny town but get it popularity from a special phenomenon – The Naruto Whirlpool. We were heading to Osaka from Takamastu, Shikoku.

Below are signboard also available in English, showing the way to board on the Whirlpool sightseeing boat.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Two Different Cruise Ship – Wonder Naruto or Aqua Eddy

There are two different cruise, the Wonder Naruto and Aqua Eddy, the difference is Aqua Eddy has an underwater observatory room. We choose the Wonder Naruto which you can only view from the top.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Choose the best time to visit 

Every season has different timing and if you choose the right time, you are able to see the bigger whirlpools. Click here to check the best time.  Anyway, the prime viewing season for the Naruto Whirlpools would be during spring and autumn.

I didn’t choose the best time to visit due to timing issue.  I gotten my ticket and boarded the big cruise immediately as I have other places to go to.  The Wonder Naruto was not crowded at all, probably because it is not the best timing to catch the whirlpools.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

The cruise move away from the land and moving towards the Seto Inland Sea.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

The indoor seats are colorful and pretty.  Most passengers would rather be outside and this make a nice spot for me to shoot a picture with these colorful chairs.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Try to Spot Little Wind Farm 

You also spot some wind turbines from afar.  Very small wind farm as compared to the one I saw in Palm Springs California and Dabencheng Xinjiang China.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

After 10 mins in the cruise ride, the staff who work in the cruise will called all passengers out to see the whirlpools.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Naruto Whirlpools

The tidal current of the Naruto Strait is fast, ranked one of the 3 biggest tidal currents in the world, and the flow of this current into the narrow strait between the Pacific Ocean and the Inland Sea of Japan is the main cause of the whirlpools.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Baby Whirlpools

Below picture were several tiny whirlpools because I did not come at the best timing.  I came here at the end of October and based on the schedule on that day, the best time to watch the bigger and more intense whirlpools is the earliest boat at around 9 am.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

There are more  whirlpools when the cruise sail near or under Onaruto Bridge.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Seto Inland Sea

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Onaruto Bridge 大鳴門橋

When the cruise move to the Inland Seto Sea, you can see whole Onaruto Bridge from the water. Onaruto Bridge also known as Great Naruto Bridge can be seen beautifully connecting Awaji Island with Naruto, Tokushima on Oge Island.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

The whole duration only took us less than an hour.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Wonder Naruto Cruise Review

The cruise (below picture) that I boarded on was called “Wonder” Naruto Cruise and it did not has a underwater observatory room. It still works perfect for me as I prefer to watch it from the top and have closer touch with mother nature, the air, wind, sun, splashing of water from the Naruto whirlpools waves.

  • Wonder Naruto
    Fare : Adult 1,800 yen /USD 15.90 Child (Elemetary School) 900 yen/USD 7.90
  • Aqua Eddy
    Fare : Adult 2,400 yen/USD21.10 Child (Elementary School) 1,200 yen/USD 10.60
  • Plenty of free parking space outside the terminal.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Souvenirs Stop near ticketing area

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Nearby Attraction – Otsuka Museum of Art/大塚国際美術館

Other nearby site is the Otsuka Museum of Art/大塚国際美術館. The art museum is very large and look super grand even from the outside. it is said one of the largest exhibition spaces in Japan and houses over a thousand full-size ceramic reproductions of major works of arts, including the Sistine Chapel.

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Japan : Whirlpools of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku

Final thoughts :

If you happen to be in Shikoku Island or near Kansai area, Naruto is highly recommended. Go board on the Wonder Naruto Cruise ship and enjoy the sunshine and the unusual phenomenon.

The tide formation are really fascinating to see, the swirls and ripples can be quite hypnotic too. Besides that, you also get to enjoy the beautiful view of Seto Inland Sea and magnificent Onaruto Bridge.

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Awaji IslandBaby Whirlpools of NarutoOge IslandOnaruto BridgeOnaruto Bridge 大鳴門橋Otsuka Museum of Art/大塚国際美術館Seto Inland SeaShikokuTokushima PrefectureWhirlpools of NarutoWonder Naruto or Aqua Eddy徳島県鳴門
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24 comments

GiGi Eats Celebrities November 28, 2018 - 2:32 pm

The travel bucket list of mine has JAPAN right there up at the top!! I can’t wait to one day go soon, it’s necessary for so many reasons and you added more to the list!

Reply
kumamonjeng November 29, 2018 - 12:21 am

Dear Gigi,

One of my favorite thing to do in Japan is to try their local cusine and snacks which are so delicious and pretty and intricate to look at.

Reply
Candice Laboy November 28, 2018 - 3:07 pm

I chuckled when you mentioned Naruto Manga. My hubby, sis & brother in law are obsessed with it. Your photos are beautiful and capture the beauty of these natural whirlpools. Thanks for sharing

Reply
kumamonjeng November 29, 2018 - 12:15 am

Dear Candice,

Glad you have also heard of the name Naruto. It is one of the most famous animation in Japan in the 90s. The manga artist is from this Okayama city near Naruto town in Chugoku region. I guess he may get his inspiration from Naruto whirlpool. LOL… Just guessing. Even one of Naruto’s bandana/headband logo look like a whirlool.

Reply
Anna Nwa November 28, 2018 - 6:13 pm

I’ve only been in an airport in Japan, but hope to go back one day and actually get to see the sites! I’m definitely adding this to my list of unique things to do in Japan!!

Reply
kumamonjeng November 29, 2018 - 12:16 am

Der Anna,

Naruto town is just 2 hours from Osaka. So if you happen to be around Osaka area, it is worth to make a tour to Naruto to check out the special phenomenon.

Reply
Amanda Yorton November 28, 2018 - 7:26 pm

I’ve always wanted to go to Japan! This would be a great addition to the itinerary!

Reply
kumamonjeng November 28, 2018 - 11:06 pm

Dear Amanda,

The Naruto whirlpools are interesting phenomenon to view. Pretty amazing.

Reply
Dani November 29, 2018 - 1:49 am

When I think of travel in Japan, I wouldn’t have thought of a cruise. Thanks for the detail insight to another way to experience this beautiful part of the world

Reply
kumamonjeng November 29, 2018 - 6:56 am

Dear Dani,

Japan is surrounded by sea so been able to tour a little with a cruise is really a good idea to enjoy the architecture of their bridges. Can you believe that there are around 600k bridges in Japan. Japan is made up of 4 main big islands and thousands of little islands around and most are connected with bridges.

Reply
Annie Cho November 29, 2018 - 2:42 am

I should watch Naruto again, it’s been a while, lol. I’d love to take this trip and visit Naruto, the place!
xoxo
Annie

Reply
kumamonjeng November 29, 2018 - 6:53 am

Dear Annie,

Haha, Naruto Amimation is certainly a hit back in the 90s. LOL

Reply
Echo aka The Mad Mommy November 29, 2018 - 3:19 am

What a beautiful and serene way to spend a day! I could probably stare into those whirlpools for hours on end.

Reply
Kim November 29, 2018 - 7:08 am

I never would have thought of taking a cruise in Japan! My hubby will find this interesting, he’s been to Japan, and especially now, I want to go too!

Reply
kumamonjeng November 29, 2018 - 9:46 am

Dear Kim,

The cruise to check out the weird phenomenon – Naruto Whirlpool is pretty fun thing to do if you happen to be around Kansai and Shikoku area. The cruise only take an hour so it’s not that long.

Reply
Alan @ MorePassportStamps.com November 29, 2018 - 3:05 pm

Otsuka Museum of Art looks incredible!

Reply
Brittany Vantrease November 29, 2018 - 5:03 pm

How interesting! Nature is a wondrous thing. It would be really cool to see those whirl pools as long as they were safe.

Reply
Charli Bruce November 29, 2018 - 5:24 pm

I have never been to Japan, I would love to go one day. I absolutely love your photos x

Reply
bmcharnley November 29, 2018 - 6:03 pm

Those colorful chairs are so cool!!!! I’d love to go on a cruise here one day!! I love cruises

Reply
A Nation of Moms November 29, 2018 - 8:13 pm

That’s a very interesting phenomenon. I didn’t know about these and it would be interesting to see them in person. It also looks like a lot of work to get there to see them!

Reply
growingupglad November 30, 2018 - 12:30 am

You look so fab inside the boat with those colorful chairs! This blog post was so informative and interesting!

Reply
Samantha November 30, 2018 - 2:59 pm

Very pretty. I didn’t know about these whirlpools.

Reply
The Frugal Samurai December 2, 2018 - 2:14 am

Whoa, those whirlpools are so trippy looking! Very intense and surreal experience I’m sure – we’ll have to check it out if we are there next.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 3, 2018 - 5:51 am

Dear Frugal Samurai,

Pretty amazing phenomenon and the no 1 tips check the best time to watch the biggest and most intense whirlpool. There are several schedule during the day.

Reply

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I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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