The “Awaji Island whirlpools” and the “Tokushima whirlpools” are not two different natural phenomena. Both refer to the same whirlpools that form in the Naruto Strait between Awaji Island and Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture.
The main differences are which side of the strait you visit from, which sightseeing boat you take, and what other attractions you would like to enjoy nearby.
From Kobe Sannomiya or the Maiko Highway Bus Stop, you can easily travel by highway bus to either Fukura on the Awaji Island side or Naruto on the Tokushima side.
If you are traveling from Osaka, this article introduces an easy car-free route: take a JR train or another railway service to Kobe Sannomiya or Maiko, then transfer to a Shinki Bus highway bus.
For travelers who would like to see the whirlpools without renting a car, we compare the sightseeing boats, travel times, bus reservation methods, and nearby attractions on the Fukura and Naruto sides.
Quick Answer: Who Should Choose Fukura and Who Should Choose Naruto?
- Fukura is recommended for: Travelers who would like to enjoy a relaxing 60-minute cruise aboard a large vessel, as well as a roadside station and footbath.
- Naruto is recommended for: Travelers who want to see the whirlpools efficiently on a 20- to 30-minute cruise, combine their visit with Uzu no Michi or the Otsuka Museum of Art, or choose from several different types of sightseeing boats.
Whichever side you choose, you will be visiting the same whirlpools in the Naruto Strait. Choose the option that best suits the way you would like to spend your day.
Comparing the Fukura and Naruto Sides
| Category | Awaji Island: Fukura | Tokushima: Naruto |
|---|---|---|
| Main sightseeing boats | Uzushio Cruise (large vessel) | Uzushio Kisen / Uzushio Sightseeing Boats (Wonder Naruto and Aqua Eddy) |
| Departure point | Roadside Station Fukura at Fukura Port | Kameura Fishing Port and Kameura Tourist Port near Naruto Park |
| Cruise duration | Approximately 60 minutes | Approximately 20–30 minutes |
| Boat features | Enjoy a relaxing cruise and views from the sea aboard a large vessel | Choose from a small high-speed boat, a large sightseeing boat, or an underwater sightseeing boat |
| Nearby attractions | Roadside Station Fukura, Uzu-no-Yu Footbath, Awaji Puppet Theater | Uzu no Michi, Otsuka Museum of Art, Naruto Park |
| Highway bus from Kobe | Kobe Sannomiya / Maiko–Minami-Awaji Fukura route | Kobe Sannomiya / Maiko–Naruto / Tokushima route |
| Approximate travel time from Kobe Sannomiya | Approximately 1 hour 33 minutes | Approximately 1 hour 23 minutes to Naruto Park |
| Highway bus reservations | No reservation required; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis | Advance reservation and payment are generally required.If seats are available, you may be able to board without a reservation on the day. |
| Sightseeing boat reservations | Online reservations available | Uzushio Kisen and Wonder Naruto generally do not require reservations; Aqua Eddy requires a reservation |
| Best for | Travelers who want to enjoy the cruise itself at a leisurely pace | Travelers who want to combine the whirlpools with sightseeing in Naruto |
Schedules, fares, and operating conditions are subject to change. Please check the latest information on the respective official websites before traveling.
The Uzushio Cruise from Fukura on Awaji Island
The Uzushio Cruise departs from Fukura Port on the Awaji Island side. The approximately 60-minute cruise takes you aboard a large vessel to the Naruto Strait to see the whirlpools before returning to Fukura Port.
The vessel has a heated and air-conditioned cabin as well as an open deck. In addition to the whirlpools, you can enjoy views along the journey from Fukura Bay to the Naruto Strait and the memorable experience of passing beneath the Onaruto Bridge.
The stability offered by a large vessel makes it easier for families with children to relax and enjoy the cruise. The vessel used may vary depending on the departure and operating conditions, so check the official website for the vessel scheduled on the day of your visit.
The ticket counter and boarding area are located within Roadside Station Fukura, just a short walk from the Fukura highway bus stop. Before or after your cruise, you can enjoy a meal or shopping at the roadside station or visit nearby attractions such as the Uzu-no-Yu Footbath and the Awaji Puppet Theater.
Online reservations are available for the Uzushio Cruise. As the boarding procedure may become crowded, the official website recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before departure on weekdays and 40–50 minutes before departure on weekends and holidays.
Departure times vary by date, so be sure to check both the cruise schedule and the tide chart.
Choose from Three Types of Sightseeing Boats on the Naruto Side
The Naruto side offers several sightseeing boats with different features.
This small high-speed boat has a capacity of 86 passengers, and the cruise takes approximately 20 minutes. It is ideal for travelers who would like to experience the whirlpools up close in a short amount of time.
Reservations are generally not required. If the boat is full, passengers will be directed to the next departure, approximately 30 minutes later, in the order they arrive.
The boat departs from Kameura Fishing Port in Naruto Park, approximately a 15-minute walk from Uzu no Michi. This makes it easy to combine the experience of looking down at the whirlpools from the bridge with seeing them up close from a boat.
Uzushio Sightseeing Boat “Wonder Naruto”:
Wonder Naruto is a large sightseeing boat with a capacity of 399 passengers. The cruise takes approximately 30 minutes.
No reservation is required, and the large vessel is a good choice for travelers who would like to enjoy the whirlpools at a relatively leisurely pace.
Uzushio Sightseeing Boat “Aqua Eddy”:
Aqua Eddy is a small underwater sightseeing boat with a capacity of 46 passengers. The cruise takes approximately 25 minutes.
Its main feature is an underwater observation room located approximately one meter below the surface, where passengers can observe the movement of the water beneath the sea. Advance reservations are required for Aqua Eddy.
How to Get There from Kobe Without a Car
Both Fukura and Naruto can be reached by highway bus from Kobe Sannomiya or the Maiko Highway Bus Stop.
Travelers staying in central Kobe or using a highway bus for the first time may find it easier to board at Kobe Sannomiya.
If you would like to reduce the amount of time spent on the highway bus, you can take a JR train to Maiko Station and board at the nearby Maiko Highway Bus Stop.
Learn more about getting from JR Maiko Station to the Maiko Highway Bus Stop
For Fukura: Kobe-Sannomiya / Maiko ⇔ Awaji Island (Fukura)
- Direct service from Kobe Sannomiya and the Maiko Highway Bus Stop to Fukura
- No reservation required; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis
- You may not be able to board if the bus is full
- If you have not purchased a ticket in advance, pay the fare when getting off the bus
- Cash and nationwide interoperable transportation IC cards are accepted; NicoPa cannot be used
- The journey takes approximately 63 minutes from the Maiko Highway Bus Stop to Fukura and approximately 1 hour 33 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya to Fukura
The Uzushio Cruise ticket counter and boarding area are a short walk from the Fukura bus stop.
Although the highway bus does not require a reservation, online reservations are available for the sightseeing boat. On weekends, public holidays, and during busy travel periods, reserving the boat in advance is recommended.
For Naruto and Tokushima: Kobe-Sannomiya / Maiko ⇔ Naruto / Tokushima
- Direct service from Kobe Sannomiya and the Maiko Highway Bus Stop to Naruto Park
- Approximately 48 minutes from the Maiko Highway Bus Stop to Naruto Park and approximately 1 hour 23 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya to Naruto Park
- Advance reservation and payment are generally required
If seats are available, you may be able to board without a reservation on the day. - Reservations and payments can be made through the English-language Japan Bus Online website
For the outbound journey, get off at Naruto Park for easy access on foot to Uzu no Michi.
Please note that Naruto Park is a drop-off-only stop for buses traveling toward Tokushima. You cannot board a bus bound for Kobe at this stop.
For your return journey, you can take a Kobe-bound highway bus from the Highway Naruto bus stop. From Naruto Park, take a local Tokushima Bus service and get off at Konarutobashi. The Highway Naruto bus stop is approximately a five-minute walk from there.
Depending on the operating date, you may also be able to board a Kobe-bound highway bus at the Otsuka Museum of Art.
However, buses do not travel via the museum on days when it is closed or during busy periods such as the Obon holidays and the New Year holidays. Check the service calendar before traveling.
Which Side Is Right for You? Choose by Travel Style
If you want to enjoy a leisurely cruise
The Uzushio Cruise from Fukura is recommended. The approximately 60-minute round-trip cruise to the Naruto Strait allows you to enjoy not only the whirlpools but also views from the sea and the experience of passing beneath the Onaruto Bridge.
If you want to experience the whirlpools up close in a short time
Uzushio Kisen on the Naruto side is a good choice. The cruise takes approximately 20 minutes, allowing you to enjoy the whirlpools within a compact sightseeing schedule.
If you prefer a large sightseeing boat
Consider either the Uzushio Cruise from Fukura or Wonder Naruto on the Naruto side. Choose between them based on the cruise duration and the other attractions you would like to visit.
If you want to see beneath the water
Aqua Eddy on the Naruto side is recommended. You can observe the sea from both the underwater observation room and the outdoor deck. Advance reservations are required.
If you also want to visit Uzu no Michi or the Otsuka Museum of Art
The Naruto side is recommended. By combining Uzu no Michi with a sightseeing boat, you can view the whirlpools from both the bridge and the sea.
If you also plan to visit the Otsuka Museum of Art, allow plenty of time for your visit and check the departure time of your return bus.
The Otsuka Museum of Art is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. When Monday is a public holiday, the museum is closed the following day.
Otsuka Museum of Art Official Website
If you want to travel without reserving a highway bus
The highway bus to Fukura does not require a reservation. However, as seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, you may not be able to board if the bus is full.
Although the highway bus does not require a reservation, advance reservations are available for the Uzushio Cruise.
Check the Tide Chart Before Choosing Your Boat and Bus
The whirlpools do not look the same throughout the day. The best viewing time changes from day to day, so whichever side you choose, begin by checking the tide chart on the official website of the sightseeing boat you plan to use.
We recommend planning your trip in the following order:
- Choose your travel date.
- Check the tide chart for the best whirlpool viewing time.
- Choose a sightseeing boat departing close to the best viewing time.
- Select your outbound and return highway buses based on the boat schedule.
The Naruto Whirlpools are a natural phenomenon, so even during the recommended viewing time, the size and number of whirlpools may vary. Boats may also be canceled due to weather or sea conditions. Check the latest operating information before departure.
Summary: Choose Fukura for a Leisurely Cruise or Naruto for Views from the Bridge and Nearby Attractions
The whirlpools seen from Fukura on Awaji Island and Naruto in Tokushima are the same whirlpools in the Naruto Strait.
Choose Fukura if you would like to enjoy a 60-minute cruise aboard a large vessel and visit the roadside station or footbath. Choose Naruto if you prefer a shorter high-speed cruise or an underwater sightseeing boat and would like to combine the whirlpools with Uzu no Michi or the Otsuka Museum of Art.
Which side you choose should depend on your travel style and how you would like to spend your day. Start by checking the tide chart, then combine the sightseeing boat and highway bus schedules to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Naruto Strait.
The information in this article was confirmed in September 2026. Schedules, fares, operating dates, and reservation methods are subject to change. Please check the latest information on the respective official websites before traveling.
