Closed on the 2nd Mondays of March, June, September, and December
Naruto’s whirlpools are a natural phenomenon formed within the ebb and flow of tidal currents in the Seto Inland Sea and Kii Channel. The whirlpools can be seen at their largest in the spring and fall, reaching a diameter of 20 meters, thought to be the largest in the world. The whirlpools can be viewed 4 times daily (twice during the walkway’s operating hours) only during the limited window of the tidal currents’ peak strength.
The top three fastest tidal currents are those in the Naruto Channel, Italy’s Strait of Messina, and Canada’s Seymour Narrows. During the peak of spring tides, also called “King Tides”, Naruto’s currents can reach speeds of over 20kph, the fastest in Japan. (Although called spring tides, they are unrelated to the spring season, occurring year-round during a new or full moon.)
Below is the schedule for peak viewing of the daytime high (northbound) and low (southbound) tidal currents. Whirlpools can be viewed within a window of time before and after the peak:
[red] 2 hours before and after the peak (total 4 hours)
[blue] 90 minutes before and after the peak (total 3 hours)
[black] 1 hour before and after the peak (total 2 hours)
The size of the whirlpools also depends on the current’s speed: Large Whirlpools, Medium Whirlpools, Small Whirlpools
[Red Times] Large Whirlpools
[Blue Times] Medium Whirlpools
[Black Times] Small Whirlpools
(The whirlpools may be affected by adverse weather conditions)
Naruto Koen, Naruto-cho, Naruto-shi, Tokushima, 772-0053, Japan
※3-minute walk from Eddy Memorial Hall
Naruto Koen, Naruto-cho, Naruto-shi, Tokushima, 772-0053, Japan
※3-minute walk from Eddy Memorial Hall