Naruto-kōen

Tokushima & the Anan Coast


Naruto Park sits at the Shikoku end of the Naruto bridge and has observation platforms from where you can view the Naruto straits, the bridge and the whirlpools, although the whirlpool view is much better from a boat and Uzu-no-michi Viewing Walkway. There is also a 'whirlpool museum' with simulators and a mini-aquarium, plus a number of small eating places and souvenir shops. Also within the park is the intriguing Otsuka Museum of Art.

From JR Naruto Station take a bus bound for Naruto-kōen (鳴門公園; 20 minutes). Alternatively, take a bus to Naruto Park directly from Tokushima Station (1 hour).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tokushima & the Anan Coast attractions

1. Uzu-no-michi Viewing Walkway

0.16 MILES

For an intriguing bird's-eye view of the whirlpools, you can walk out along this breezy 450m-long walkway hanging underneath the Naruto Bridge, which puts…

2. Otsuka Museum of Art

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One from the 'only in Japan file', this incredible 'ceramic board masterpiece museum' features more than 1000 replicas of priceless Western art on ceramic…

3. Ōnaruto-hashi

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Linking Shikoku to Awaji-shima, impressive Ōnaruto-hashi was completed in 1985. Later, when the world's longest suspension bridge, the Akashi Kaikyō…

4. Temple One: Ryōzen-ji

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Ryōzen-ji is Temple One of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku pilgrimage. It is called Temple One because it was the first that temple pilgrims came to…

5. Awa Jūrobe Yashiki Puppet Theatre

10.41 MILES

For hundreds of years, puppet theatre thrived in the farming communities around Tokushima. Performances can still be seen here, in the former residence of…

6. Awa Deko Ningyō Kaikan

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This small museum displays puppets made by the in-house master at Awa Jūrobe Yashiki Puppet Theatre, who also gives talks (in Japanese) on the puppet…

7. Chūō-kōen

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Northeast of the train station is Tokushima's central park, Chūō-kōen, a lovely place for a stroll. You'll find the scant ruins of Tokushima-jō (Tokushima…

8. Tokushima Castle Museum

12.19 MILES

You can get a glimpse into the castle's former Edo-period grandeur at Tokushima Castle Museum, which contains a model of the castle town as well as…