Use the
Planning a Trip to Japan?
Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp
©Naruto 100 Views Photo Contest
HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Naruto Strait Whirlpools
Observe some of the biggest and fastest whirlpools in the world
Awaji-island Tourist Association
Naruto Strait’s giant whirlpools are among the most dramatic natural phenomena of Japan. During spring, they can stretch to 30 meters in diameter with speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour, making them some of the largest and fastest whirlpools in the world.
Located between Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture and Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture, the Naruto Strait connects the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea. During the rise and fall of tides, a 1.5-meter difference in water level occurs, causing a central current to flow through the narrow channel at incredible speeds. The combination of the swift current colliding with other gentler ones creates the strait’s famed whirlpools, which appear directly under the Onaruto Bridge.
To see the whirlpools up close, take the Kanrinmaru, a sightseeing boat modeled and named after the first Japanese ship to cross the Pacific Ocean. Departing from Fukura Port on Awaji Island, the boat’s one-hour cruise takes visitors right to the edge of the phenomena. During the journey, passengers can also enjoy the 360-degree drone footage of whirlpools and Awaji Island's sights projected on the floor wall continuous screen on board.
How to get there
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train to Sannomiya Station (about 30 minutes). From the Sannomiya express bus terminal, take the Awaji Kotsu/Shinki express bus to Fukura (about 90 minutes). The port is a short walk from the bus stop.
Note: Sannomiya Station can also be reached from Kansai International Airport via limousine bus (about 1 hour and 20 minutes).
Fukurako, Minamiawaji-shi, Hyogo-ken
