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2024 Naruto Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)
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Popular Attractions
Naruto Whirlpools
Amazing whirlpool in the sea
If you are driving thru the Kobe/ Awaji/ Shikoku area, I would highly recommend making a visit to the Uzunomichi Observatory and Walkway.
The observatory is part of the Naruto Bridge connecting the Awaji Island and Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku. The whirlpool current changes by the hour each day and is the strongest during full moon and new moon. You can go on to the website for the Uzunomichi and it will show the best day and hour for viewing.
If you drive, it is best to park at the observatory parking lot which costs ¥500 per day. You can then follow the sign and walk 10 minutes to the bridge observatory entrance to buy tickets . The fee for adult is ¥510, while primary / high school students costs 260/410 yen respectively.
We visited on a day of “medium “ tide , but at the best hour, and we thought it was quite amazing already. I was told that the strongest whirlpool is during spring and fall, so best to plan your trip accordingly. This is a must see while traveling in the Kansai region of Japan!
Open daily 9-5pm
#japan #Uzunomichiobservatory #Bestinjapan #Tokushima ##Awajiisland
The Naruto German House
Address: Higashiyamada-55-2 Oasachohinoki, Naruto, Tokushima 779-0225, Japan.
Getting there: The German House is a ten minute walk from Naruto Nishi bus stop along the Takamatsu Expressway.
Highlights: The German House was built as a gesture of goodwill and houses an excellent museum on the lives of the Bando Camp prisoners. It is built on the site of a relocation camp where German prisoners of WWI lived for three years. A variety of models and photographs are on display with descriptions in Japanese, German and English. It was really an interesting experience to learn about the history.
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm daily
Admission fee: 400yen
#bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk
California Table
Adjacent to Naruto Park in Tokushima, the luxury hotel 'Hotel RIDGE' features the French restaurant 'California Table.' Not only can you enjoy views of the Seto Inland Sea from the outdoor seating, but the large floor-to-ceiling windows inside also offer stunning scenery, giving a vacation-like feel. The menu changes with the seasons, and from appetizers to desserts, each dish is presented like a work of art, satisfying both the taste buds and the eyes.
Naruto Inland Sea General Park.
At the Naruto Inland Sea General Park in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, you can enjoy the unique leisurely scenery of the inland sea, grasslands, and seasonal flowers. The park's flower fields showcase a rotation of rapeseed flowers in spring, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in autumn. Here, 30,000 red, pink, and white cosmos flowers bloom.
【Shikoku】5-Day 4-Night Kagawa and Tokushima Itinerary Without Driving
Shikoku is known for its beautiful scenery, and many people think it's difficult to explore without driving. However, with proper planning and the use of JR trains and buses, you can easily tour Shikoku. For first-time visitors, this 5-day 4-night itinerary covering Kagawa and Tokushima is a great reference.
Day 1: Takamatsu Airport ✈️ → Takamatsu Shopping Street → Takamatsu JR Station → Tokushima JR Station → Nearby Hotel
Day 2: Take a bus from outside Tokushima JR Station to Naruto Whirlpools → Uzu no Michi → Naruto Park → Take JR to Oboke Station, then hotel shuttle to Onsen Hotel ♨️
Day 3: Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat 🚤 → Iya Vine Bridge → Return to hotel to pick up luggage, then take JR to Kotohira Station → Kotohira-gu Shrine → Hotel near Takamatsu Station
Day 4: Takamatsu Port → Day trip to Shodoshima → Takamatsu Hotel 🏨
Day 5: Take the Kotoden Kotohira Line to Ritsurin Koen Station → Ritsurin Garden → Return to hotel to pick up luggage → Takamatsu Airport ✈️
【Must-Visit Attractions】
1. Naruto Whirlpools: Taking a sightseeing boat is one of the best ways to view the whirlpools 🤩. You can not only see the whirlpools up close but also feel the turbulent and rotating water when the boat gets close to the whirlpool area, which is both thrilling and breathtaking 🤪.
2. Iya Vine Bridge: The vine bridge spans a steep gorge with rushing river water below. Although it has been reinforced and is very safe, it still wobbles when you walk on it 🫨.
3. Ritsurin Garden: The entire park is composed of a series of lakes, small bridges, and pavilions, perfectly blending the essence of Edo-period garden design. Walking through it feels like being in a graceful and charming landscape painting 😍.
【Must-Try Foods】
1. Sanuki Udon in Kagawa is one of Japan's top three udon varieties, and there are many famous small shops around 🍜.
2. Kagawa's Bone-in Chicken is also a must-try 😋. It's grilled chicken leg seasoned with salt and pepper, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
3. Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes are a specialty of Tokushima, with golden-yellow flesh that is very delicious 🍠.
【Accommodation Recommendations】
⭐️ Recommended Area: If staying in Takamatsu, it's recommended to stay near Takamatsu JR Station for convenient transportation and proximity to Takamatsu Port.
🏨 Hotel Name: JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu
📍 Hotel Address: 1-1 Hamano Cho, Takamatsu, Takamatsu, Japan, 760-0011
【Photo Spots】
1. The viewpoint under the Naruto Bridge offers a closer view and great photo opportunities of the spectacular Naruto Bridge 🌁.
【Tips】
⭐️ If you want to see the full-sized Naruto Whirlpools, be sure to check the official website for information. The whirlpools are affected by tides and seasons, and the website has detailed viewing guides and schedules. Checking this before booking your sightseeing boat tickets will increase your chances of seeing the full whirlpools.
ESKAHILL・Naruto
Located in Naruto City, ESKAHILL・Naruto is the first of its kind in the East, featuring a sightseeing elevator with a height difference of 34 meters and a total length of 68 meters. The elevator, made entirely of glass, offers a gradually rising view through the forest. Upon reaching the observation deck, you can enjoy the sea breeze while overlooking the Naruto Strait and its whirlpools. On the first floor, the cafe 'Park Inn' serves original desserts, with a special recommendation for the 'Whirlpool Dorayaki Ice Cream,' a dorayaki with a whirlpool design paired with soft serve ice cream.
TODA Berry Farm
TODA Berry Farm is located in Naruto City. This unique farm is converted from an abandoned elementary school building. Visitors can enjoy 60 minutes of strawberry picking. Afterward, they can take their harvest to the CAFE inside the school building to make parfaits, crepes, and other desserts or drinks to savor.
Naruto City Summer Fireworks Festival
Celebrating the 70th anniversary of BOAT RACE Naruto, the festival will feature 7,000 fireworks. This is the largest fireworks festival in Tokushima Prefecture, attracting a large number of spectators from both within and outside the prefecture every year. The fireworks light up the night sky of Naruto City in a dazzling array of colors, creating a spectacular scene. Additionally, there are no tall buildings around the venue, providing a clear view of the display.
Hotel Ridge
Hotel Ridge is surrounded by lush nature and spans a vast area of 70,000 tsubo, providing guests with ample space to relax. The hotel offers rooms in three different styles, along with a restaurant named 'Banrizou' built in the traditional 'Sukiya' tea house style, a spa, and other facilities, ensuring the highest level of enjoyment for guests. The rooms are luxuriously decorated, allowing you to take your time and enjoy your personal space.
A hotel with a view of the Naruto Bridge in Tokushima.
Awao Naruto Resort with ocean views from every room🏝️
You can enjoy various activities on the beach⛱️
There is also a small pool inside the hotel!
We had Japanese cuisine for dinner and Western cuisine for breakfast, both of which were very delicious🍽️
It's close to the whirlpool sightseeing spots and the Otsuka Museum of Art,
so it's conveniently located for sightseeing.
📍Location: 〒772-0053 Tokushima Prefecture, Naruto City, Narutocho Tosadomariura Oge 16-45
💰Price per person: ¥15,000
A Hidden Gem Resort for Adults in Tokushima
A resort hotel quietly nestled between the sea and mountains.
I stayed in a maisonette-type room
The room was spacious, and there was a jacuzzi on the upper floor where I could relax.
The dinner and breakfast made with ingredients from Naruto were also delicious. 😋
It seems to have been renovated in February 2024, so I would like to visit again!
Resort Hotel Moana Coast
📍Location: 186-16 Takasago, Tosadomariura, Naruto-cho, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture
💰Price per person: ¥39,600~
The Second Longest Escalator in Japan: Escar Hill Naruto
Escar Hill Naruto is an observation facility for the whirlpools and the Great Naruto Bridge, located in front of the first parking lot of the Naruto National Park. It boasts the largest height difference in the Orient of 34m and a total length of 68m, and it is a tourist escalator that takes you to an observatory where you can overlook Naruto Park. The escalator is fully glazed, allowing you to enjoy the view while riding, offering a thrilling experience.
The entrance fee was 400 yen for adults.
On a clear day, you can enjoy the best scenic view of Naruto Park, and from the mountaintop observatory, you can see not only the Naruto Strait but also Wakayama and Shodoshima if the weather is good.
It is also famous as a location for dramas and variety shows.
There was also a shop and a souvenir store on the first floor.
The Place Where Kenshi Yonezu Sang at the Red and White Song Battle
I visited the Otsuka Museum of Art in Tokushima Prefecture.
I decided to go there because of its topicality as the place where Kenshi Yonezu performed at the Red and White Song Battle, and I'm really glad I did.
As soon as you step in, you feel as if you've entered an art museum overseas.
The museum reproduces various paintings from around the world on ceramic boards, and I was deeply moved by the replicas, including the famous Sunflowers by Van Gogh.
Even for those who are not familiar with art, there are well-known paintings like the Mona Lisa, which are so well done that they make you want to see the real thing.
The museum is quite spacious, and it can take quite some time to look around carefully, so if you're coming on a tour, it might be a good idea to decide in advance which paintings you want to see.
Ryozenji Temple
Address: Fukuike-65-1 Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053, Japan
Getting there: The museum is also about a ten minute walk from the Naruto Koen bus stop.
Highlights: The Otsuka Museum of Art was built in Naruto Park on the occasion of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group's 75th anniversary. It is the largest museum in Japan, featuring life-size reproductions of virtually every representative masterpiece of Western art from antiquity to the 20th century.
The museum is well presented and enables visitors to appreciate so many master artists all in one place. Besides over a thousand paintings, the museum displays reproductions of altars, tombs and entire halls, such as the interior of the Sistine Chapel. The admission is slightly expensive but definitely worth it if you are an art enthusiast!
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm daily, closed on Monday
Admission fee: 3160yen
#bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk
Otsuka Museum of Art
Address: Fukuike-65-1 Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053, Japan
Getting there: The museum is also about a ten minute walk from the Naruto Koen bus stop.
Highlights: The Otsuka Museum of Art was built in Naruto Park on the occasion of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group's 75th anniversary. It is the largest museum in Japan, featuring life-size reproductions of virtually every representative masterpiece of Western art from antiquity to the 20th century.
The museum is well presented and enables visitors to appreciate so many master artists all in one place. Besides over a thousand paintings, the museum displays reproductions of altars, tombs and entire halls, such as the interior of the Sistine Chapel. The admission is slightly expensive but definitely worth it if you are an art enthusiast!
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm daily, closed on Monday
Admission fee: 3160yen
#bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk
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