Naruto Whirlpools
Open by month
Open in January. No seasonal closure recorded. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Open in February. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in March — at its best. Biggest at spring tides, especially spring and early autumn.
Open in April — at its best. Biggest at spring tides, especially spring and early autumn.
Open in May. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in June. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in July. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in August. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in September. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in October — at its best. Biggest at spring tides, especially spring and early autumn.
Open in November. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in December. No seasonal closure recorded. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-11.
Fast tidal currents form whirlpools up to 20 m wide under a big bridge. See them from a boat or a glass-floor walkway.
Nearby
- Otsuka Museum of Art ≈ 10 min by car
- Ryozenji Temple (Temple 1) ≈ 40 min by car
- Naruto German House ≈ 40 min by car
- Tokushima Castle Ruins & Omote-goten Garden ≈ 50 min by car
- Hyotan-jima Cruise ≈ 50 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Best time
- March, April, October — Biggest at spring tides, especially spring and early autumn
- Getting there
- About 20 min by bus from Naruto Station (Naruto Kanko-ko stop)
- Fee
- Sightseeing boat from ¥2,000
- Good to know
- Check the tide table — whirlpools are biggest around high and low tide
- Time needed
- 1 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-11. Report outdated info