Naruto Whirlpools on Awaji Island: One of the World’s Largest Whirlpools, Best Cruises, Prices & Viewing Times

At the southern tip of Awaji Island, the Naruto Strait creates one of Japan’s most spectacular natural phenomena. The strait lies between Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island, connecting the Seto Inland Sea with the Kii Channel (The Pacific). As the tides move in and out, powerful currents rush through the narrow strait, creating swirling whirlpools that can reach around 20 meters in diameter. 

The Naruto Whirlpools are constantly changing, making timing and viewpoint essential to the experience. You can get close to the water on a sightseeing boat from Awaji Island or Tokushima or watch the currents from above through the glass-floor sections of Uzu no Michi, the pedestrian walkway beneath the Onaruto Bridge. Whether you choose a boat or the bridge, checking the daily tide forecast before you go is the key to seeing the whirlpools at their most impressive. 

How Do the Naruto Whirlpools Form? 

The Naruto Whirlpools are among the largest and fastest tidal whirlpools in the world. They are created by the difference in tidal levels between the Seto Inland Sea and the Kii Channel. As the tide changes, huge volumes of seawater are forced through the narrow Naruto Strait, producing powerful currents and swirling eddies. 

The strait is approximately 1.3 kilometers wide, while the water beneath the Onaruto Bridge reaches depths of around 90 meters. The differences in water depth and current speed help create distinctive circular patterns known as uzushio. During particularly strong tides, the currents can exceed 20 km/h, while individual whirlpools can grow around 20 meters across. 

The phenomenon is not equally dramatic throughout the day. Spring tides, when the difference between high and low tides is greatest, tend to produce the strongest currents and largest whirlpools. The exact time changes every day, however, so check the operator’s tide forecast when planning your visit. 

The Best Ways to See the Naruto Whirlpools  

There are three main ways to experience the Naruto Whirlpools, and each offers a completely different perspective. 

From Awaji Island, the Uzushio Cruise departs from Fukura Port and takes approximately 60 minutes. This is the most convenient choice if your trip is focused on Awaji Island, and the large vessel gives you plenty of space to watch the whirlpools from the deck.

From the Tokushima side, you can choose between several sightseeing boats departing near Naruto Park. These cruises are shorter and can be convenient if you are also visiting Uzu no Michi or the Otsuka Museum of Art. 

From above, Uzu no Michi spans 450 meters beneath the Onaruto Bridge, providing a viewpoint from approximately 45 meters above the Naruto Strait. Glass windows in the floor let you look directly down at the water and whirlpools below.

Uzushio Cruise: The Best Choice from Awaji Island 

If you are exploring Awaji Island, the Uzushio Cruise is the most straightforward way to experience the Naruto Whirlpools without crossing over to Tokushima. The boats depart from Fukura Port in Minami-Awaji, at the southern end of the island. 

The round trip takes approximately 60 minutes, including the journey to the Naruto Strait, around 20 minutes viewing the whirlpools, and the return to Fukura Port. The route passes beneath the Onaruto Bridge, giving passengers views of both the strait and the surrounding coastline. The large boats also have spacious decks and indoor seating, making the experience comfortable in different weather conditions.

Uzushio Cruise at a glance 

	Details
Departure	Fukura Port, Minami-Awaji, Awaji Island
Cruise time	Approx. 60 minutes
Adult	¥3,000
Child	¥1,500
Preschool child	1 child free per paying adult
Parking	Free parking available
From Kobe	Approx. 80 min by car
From Osaka	Approx. 120 min by car

The current regular fare is ¥3,000 for adults and ¥1,500 for elementary school children. One child below elementary school age can ride free for each paying adult. Online reservations can also be made up to 40 minutes before departure, subject to availability. 

One advantage of choosing this cruise is that you can build the experience into a wider southern Awaji Island itinerary. Fukura Port is also a convenient base for exploring local restaurants, seafood, Awaji Island specialties and nearby attractions.

Check Uzushio Cruise fares, schedules and whirlpool viewing times → 

Tokushima-side Boats: Shorter Cruises and Different Viewpoints 

If you are approaching the Naruto Strait from Tokushima, there are also sightseeing boats which allow you to get close to the whirlpools. The main advantage is choice: the cruises are shorter than the Awaji-side Uzushio Cruise, and one boat even offers an underwater viewing area. 

Naruto Kanko Kisen operates two vessels from Naruto Park’s Kameura Sightseeing Port. The large WONDER NARUTO takes approximately 30 minutes and costs ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for elementary school children. Its large deck provides a spacious view as the boat approaches the whirlpools. 

For a more unusual experience, AQUA EDDY is a smaller, high-speed boat with an underwater observation area. The cruise takes approximately 25 minutes and costs ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,200 for children. Because the vessel has a capacity of only 46 passengers, advance reservations are required. 

WONDER NARUTO vs. AQUA EDDY 

	WONDER NARUTO	AQUA EDDY
Type	Large sightseeing boat	Small high-speed boat
Duration	~30 min	~25 min
Adult	¥2,000	¥2,500
Child	¥1,000	¥1,200
Capacity	Large vessel	46 passengers
Special feature	Spacious deck	Underwater observation
Reservation	Not required	Required

Both boats operate according to the tide, and the operator notes that some departures may not coincide with visible whirlpools. Check the daily schedule carefully rather than choosing a departure time at random. 

 Compare current boat schedules and fares → 

Uzushio Kisen: A Quick Option from the Tokushima Side 

For travelers short on time, Uzushio Kisen offers another sightseeing boat experience from the Tokushima side of the Naruto Strait. Its shorter cruise makes it easy to add the whirlpools to an itinerary that already includes other attractions around Naruto. 

This option works particularly well for travelers who want to spend less time on the boat and more time exploring the surrounding area. If you are visiting Uzu no Michi, Naruto Park or the Otsuka Museum of Art, a short boat ride can fit naturally into the same half-day itinerary. 

This option works particularly well for travelers who want to spend less time on the boat and more time exploring the surrounding area. If you are visiting Uzu no Michi, Naruto Park or the Otsuka Museum of Art, a short boat ride can fit naturally into the same half-day itinerary. 
 
Uzushio Kisen at a glance 

Details
Departure	Kameura Fishing Port, Naruto Park, Tokushima
Location	Behind the Otsuka Museum of Art
Cruise time	Every 30 minutes
Adult	¥2,000
Child	¥1,000
Preschool child	Free — 1 child per paying adult
Reservations	Not required
Departures	Approximately every 30 minutes
Capacity	86 passengers
Parking	Free parking — 50 spaces
Payment	Cash only

Check Uzushio Kisen’s current operation information →

Comparing Naruto Whirlpool Cruises 

Boat experience	Departure	Adult fare	Child fare	Duration	Best for
Uzushio Cruise	Fukura Port, Awaji Island	¥3,000	¥1,500	~60 min	Exploring Awaji Island
WONDER NARUTO	Naruto Park, Tokushima	¥2,000	¥1,000	~30 min	A spacious, traditional sightseeing boat
AQUA EDDY	Naruto Park, Tokushima	¥2,500	¥1,200	~25 min	Underwater viewing & a smaller boat
Uzushio Kisen	Kameura area, Tokushima	¥2,000	¥1,000	~20 min	A quick, budget-friendly boat experience

Regular fares shown above are based on the operators’ current listed prices and may change. Check the official operator website before your visit. 

Uzu no Michi: See the Whirlpools from 45 Meters Above the Sea 

You don’t have to board a boat to experience the Naruto Whirlpools. Beneath the Onaruto Bridge, Uzu no Michi stretches approximately 450 meters above the Naruto Strait, ending at a viewing area where glass sections in the floor reveal the water below. 

At approximately 45 meters above the sea, the walkway offers a completely different perspective from a boat. Rather than watching a single whirlpool from water level, you can see the broader movement of the strait and watch the currents swirl beneath the bridge. 

Admission is currently ¥510 for adults, ¥410 for junior/high school students and ¥260 for elementary school students. Uzu no Michi is open year-round, with opening hours changing by season.  
From March through September, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with last admission at 5:30 p.m. From October through February, opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. 

During Golden Week and the summer holiday period, Uzu no Michi extends its hours, opening from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with last admission at 6:30 p.m. As opening hours can vary on specific dates, check the official website before your visit. 

Check Uzu no Michi admission and opening hours →

Closing

The best choice depends on how you want to experience the phenomenon. 

Take a boat if you want to get close to the water and experience the movement of the Naruto Strait at sea level. For visitors exploring Awaji Island, Uzushio Cruise from Fukura Port is the most natural choice. If you are already visiting the Tokushima side, WONDER NARUTO, AQUA EDDY or Uzushio Kisen can offer shorter alternatives. 

Choose Uzu no Michi if you prefer a panoramic view, want to avoid a boat, or are interested in photography from above. The 450-meter walkway and glass-floor viewing points provide a perspective that no boat can replicate. 

If your schedule allows, combine a boat with Uzu no Michi. Seeing the whirlpools from the water and then looking down at the same currents from 45 meters above gives you two very different impressions of one extraordinary natural phenomenon. 

To discover more natural wonders, scenic viewpoints, and outdoor adventures on Awaji Island, view our master guide below:

Nature, Beaches & Outdoor Adventures on Awaji Island