Japan Travel: Observation spots Naruto whirlpools, Boats, Park, Naruto city, Shikoku

• published: 12 Dec 2014
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Japan Travel: Observation spots Naruto whirlpools, Boats, Park, Naruto city, Shikoku 【★013★Tokushima Naruto Travel Guide Whirlpools】 Subscribe link : http://bit.ly/1p9Y9J1 Naruto, part of Tokushima Prefecture, is the northeastern most city on Shikoku Island. The city is known for its swirling whirlpools. You can see them in the Strait of Naruto underneath the Onaruto Bridge which connects Tokushima to Awaji Island. Naruto is also the starting point of the Shikoku Pilgrimage or Henro, which is a religious pilgrimage where one goes around visiting the 88 holy temples on Shikoku. About Naruto whirlpools The Naruto whirlpools are tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, a channel between Naruto in Tokushima and Awaji Island in Hyōgo, Japan. They are created by the large volumes of water moving between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean between high and low tide, combined with the unique underwater geography of the narrow strait. Because of the change of tides, the whirlpools occur roughly every six hours and can typically be seen once in the morning and once in the afternoon for an hour or two. The whirlpools vary in size, depending on the strength of the tides. They tend to be larger in summer than in winter, and are largest during spring tides, which appear every two weeks. Under ideal conditions, whirlpools of up to 20 meters in diameters can be seen. On the other hand, there is not much to see outside of the peak times or on calm days. So it always helps to check the tide schedule before heading out. (English and Chinese time table available on the internet.) The whirlpools are not dangerous to boats. They are great ways to view from sightseeing cruises which get right up next to and among the whirlpools. Some companies run tours from nearby piers on Shikoku. The next best views are from “Uzu no Michi”, an enclosed walkway that stretches under the Onaruto Bridge and overlooks the whirlpools. The walkway's observation room is placed 45 meters above the whirlpools below which can be observed through glass windows set in the floor. Naruto Park, the park surrounding the attractions around the whirlpools, also has a number of walking trails and viewpoints found around it with views of the whirlpools and Onaruto Bridge. There are two good viewpoints. One is the Senjojiki Observatory. Another is Eska Hill, which accessible via a 68 meter long, a toll escalator with a cost of 400yen. It also has restaurants and shops. Also found in the park is the Onaruto Bridge Museum Eddy, which is devoted to the construction of the Onaruto Bridge, its whirlpools and the strait. The Otsuka Museum of Art, Japan's largest museum stands out toward the park's southern edge. Access Information Naruto Park is placed about seven kilometers north of central Naruto City. One or two buses per hour run between Naruto Station and Naruto Park. The one way ride takes 25 minutes with a cost of 310 yen. Buses stop near the "Naruto Kosoku" bus stop along the way, where it is possible to transfer to highway buses. Highway buses traveling in the direction of Tokushima (but not in the opposite direction) also stop at ""Naruto Koen-guchi"" bus stop in Naruto Park along the expressway. Most attractions in Naruto Park are within walking distance of each other. Only the Uzushio Most buses between Naruto Station and Naruto Park stop at the sightseeing boat pier along the way, Kakosen sightseeing boat pier is not centrally located, and lies two kilometers away thought. Uzushio Kankosen Boat Tours Hours: 9:00 to 16:20 (boat tours depart every 30 to 40 minutes) Closed: No closing days Admission: Aqua Eddy: 2260 yen Wonder Naruto: 1580 yen (2580 yen for the upper deck) Variety of discounted combination tickets are available Uzushio Kisen Boat Tours Hours: 8:00 to 16:30 (boat tours depart every 30 minutes) Closed: No closing days Admission: 1550 yen Variety of discounted combination tickets are available Uzu no Michi - Bridge Observation Deck Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Longer hours during Golden Week and the summer holidays Closed: The 2nd Monday of March, June, September and December Admission: 510 yen Variety of discounted combination tickets are available