Naruto (鳴門)

Map

Getting There

• train
• bus
• car
• plane
• ferry

Best Times to Visit

• spring: Spring offers large whirlpools, mild sightseeing weather, cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and the Spring Whirlpool Festival.
• summer: Summer supports coastal activities and seasonal events, including Naruto fireworks and the Awa Odori dance celebrations.
• autumn: Autumn combines large whirlpools, comfortable weather, colorful mountain foliage, and scenic coastal viewpoints.

What's There

• art: The Otsuka Museum of Art presents more than 1,000 full-scale reproductions of Western masterpieces.
• bridge: The Onaruto Bridge spans the Naruto Strait and contains the Uzu no Michi walkway beneath it.
• coast: Naruto borders the Naruto Strait and offers dramatic coastal scenery, sea views, and marine attractions.
• culture: The city combines art, German history, pilgrimage traditions, local cuisine, and seasonal cultural events.
• festival: Seasonal events include the Spring Whirlpool Festival, summer fireworks, and Awa Odori celebrations.
• food: Naruto is known for local noodles, sweet potatoes, citrus, seafood, and other regional specialties.
• flowers: Spring brings cherry blossoms, while early summer offers notable lotus viewing opportunities.
• history: Naruto German House documents the Bando prisoner-of-war camp and cultural exchanges during World War I.
• museum: The Otsuka Museum of Art and Naruto German House provide major indoor cultural attractions.
• nature: Whirlpools, tidal currents, islands, coastline, parks, and seasonal foliage define Naruto’s natural appeal.
• park: Naruto Park contains viewpoints, access to whirlpool attractions, and scenic facilities beside the strait.
• seafood: Naruto sea bream and wakame are signature products, supported by abundant seafood from the strait.
• spiritual: Ryozenji is the traditional starting point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
• temple: Ryozenji, the first temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, is a prominent religious attraction.
• views: Uzu no Michi, observation decks, and Naruto Park provide expansive views of the strait and whirlpools.

Specialties

• Naruto Sea Bream (鳴門鯛): Naruto Sea Bream is a local seafood specialty raised in the strong currents of the Naruto Strait. Official tourism information highlights it among Naruto’s characteristic local foods.
• Naruto Wakame (鳴門わかめ): Naruto Wakame is seaweed cultivated in the fast-moving waters around Naruto and is valued for its firm texture. It is identified by the city’s official tourism guide as one of Naruto’s signature foods.
• Sudachi (すだち): Sudachi is a small, aromatic Japanese citrus associated with Tokushima and sold as a Naruto-area specialty. Local tourism information lists sudachi among the regional products available in Naruto.
• Naruto Kintoki Sweet Potato (鳴門金時): Naruto Kintoki is a notably sweet, bright-fleshed sweet potato grown in the Naruto area. The Naruto tourism association identifies locally grown Naruto Kintoki, including the Sato-Musume brand, as a regional product.
• Tokushima Ramen (徳島ラーメン): Tokushima Ramen is a regional noodle dish available at restaurants and shops in Naruto. The Naruto tourism association specifically lists Tokushima Ramen among local foods served in Naruto Park.