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A trip to Shikoku from Kansai! A classic itinerary to see the whirlpools in Naruto, experience the Awa Dance, and experience the pilgrimage

A trip to Shikoku from Kansai! A classic itinerary to see the whirlpools in Naruto, experience the Awa Dance, and experience the pilgrimageの画像

Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, is the eastern gateway to Shikoku, and is connected to the Kansai region by the Onaruto Bridge and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Naruto City has both sea and mountains, allowing you to enjoy a diverse range of nature. There are also plenty of tourist attractions, including the Naruto whirlpools, one of the world's three largest tidal currents, the Awa Odori dance, and the pilgrimage route! This article introduces a must-have Naruto itinerary for those coming to Shikoku from the Kansai area. Enjoy the unique charms of Naruto, including a tour of the whirlpools, the Awa Odori dance, and a short pilgrimage experience! The Naruto Awa Odori dance is held for three days every year, from August 9th to 11th, so some of the courses are only available for a limited time.

2024.11.20
Required time

Day 1: 10 hours Day 2: 2 hours

Transportation
directions_car_filled Car
directions_walk On foot
Day 1

1
Kansai International Airport
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Kansai International Airport is an international hub airport with a rich network of international and domestic flights.
It is used by many people as a 24-hour maritime airport with multiple 4,000m-class runways, and as an airport that coexists with the local community and environment.​
A new international flight area will open on December 5, 2023, including a walk-through duty-free shop!

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About 3 hours by car

2
Naruto Whirlpools
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The Naruto whirlpools are whirlpools that occur in the Naruto Strait between Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture and Minami-Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. During spring tides, the whirlpools can reach a maximum diameter of 30 meters, making them some of the largest in the world.

3
Naruto Park / Onaruto Bridge Promenade Uzu no Michi
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This park is adjacent to the Naruto Strait, which is one of the three largest tidal currents in the world and is famous for its whirlpools, and the Onaruto Bridge. It is designated as part of the Setonaikai National Park and offers a spectacular view. On the Onaruto Bridge Promenade, "Uzu no Michi," you can peer into the whirlpools through a glass floor 45 meters above the sea.

4
Whirlpool Sightseeing Boat
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This is an observation boat that lets you experience the Naruto whirlpools up close.
The times when the whirlpools can be seen change every day, so please check the website (https://www.uzusio.com/) or call (088-687-0101) for details.

5
Naruto Sightseeing Boat (Whirlpool Sightseeing Boat)
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Get so close you can feel the spray from the whirlpools. Enjoy the spectacular "Naruto Whirlpools" to your heart's content.
Whirlpools are a natural phenomenon caused by the difference between the high and low tides, and there are times when the whirlpools do not flow, and these times change daily.

We recommend checking the tide table "Whirlpool Excitement Level" on the website and boarding the boat during a time when you can see the tides.

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30 minutes by car

6
Roadside Station Kurukuru Naruto
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In order to spread the appeal of Tokushima and Naruto throughout the country, the facility will feature local specialties such as Naruto Kintoki sweet potato, Naruto root, and Naruto sea bream, and will also feature an agricultural produce market, local gourmet food, shops and restaurants where you can enjoy sweets. The facility also features a rooftop zip line and rooftop deck with views of Naruto City, and bicycle rentals for sightseeing in the area. It is an experiential food theme park where families can spend an entire day enjoying the Naruto of Naruto.

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20 minutes by car

7
Footbath in front of the station "Furoide"
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A foot bath in front of JR Naruto Station. The water comes from the source of "Natural Hot Spring Arataenoyu." Please feel free to use it to improve your daily health or while waiting for the JR or bus. Why not take a moment to relieve your daily fatigue?

Every year from August 9th to 11th, the Naruto City Awa Odori Festival takes place! The town of Naruto is engulfed in a frenzy of excitement, with the area around JR Naruto Station as the stage. Before the dance, relax in a foot bath. For more details about the event, please see the official Naruto Awa Odori website.

Naruto City Awa Dance Official Website

directions_car_filled
30 minutes by car

8
Cuisine and Inn Otoriien
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Otoriien is a relaxing Japanese-style inn where you can enjoy the seasonal nature and delicious food. This historic facility was once visited by local dignitaries, and offers a relaxing Japanese atmosphere. Its attractions include kaiseki cuisine made with seasonal local ingredients, and an open-air bath with free-flowing spring water. The open-air bath, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves while bathing, is particularly popular, and the course menu that allows you to taste seasonal delicacies from the mountains and the sea is very popular.

Day 2
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3 mins

9
The first temple of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku, Ryozenji Temple
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It is the starting point of the pilgrimage to the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku, which follows the path that Kobo Daishi traveled as part of his training, and is affectionately known as "Ichiban-san." All year round, it is bustling with pilgrims dressed in white robes.

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30-minute walk

10
Gokurakuji Temple, the second temple of the 88 Sacred Places of Shikoku
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Many people come to our mountain to pray to the Great Master of Child-Giving and the Great Master of Safe Birth for children, to the Chomei Cedar for longevity, and to Amida Buddha for the future, and to gain the energy to live life to the fullest in the present.
Also, as this is the second temple of the 88 Shikoku temples, many pilgrims come here. Please come and visit our mountain, which is a microcosm of life.

Learn more about Naruto

Spots introduced in this itinerary

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