Walk along the Onaruto Bridge's Uzu no Michi promenade and overlook the Naruto whirlpools

In Tokushima, Shikoku, the most exciting sight is the world’s largest whirlpools. Viewing them up close from a boat isn’t quite enough—you can also visit ‘Uzu no Michi’ on the Ōnaruto Bridge, where you can look down at the Naruto whirlpools from about 45 meters above, offering a unique perspective.

After enjoying the breathtaking views from the Ochanoen Observatory in Naruto Park, it’s just a 250-meter walk along a nearby road to reach Uzu no Michi. Along the way, you’ll spot a circular building, the Ōnaruto Bridge Memorial Museum, where many visitors walk up the small path to see the bridge. From the path, you can also observe vehicles traveling on the bridge.

To enter Uzu no Michi, you’ll walk up a short slope where you might notice maintenance vehicles and engineers working inside the bridge. The promenade runs below the bridge and is well-maintained, ensuring a clean and pleasant experience. On the day we visited, the schedule indicated the largest whirlpools would occur at 7:20 PM during high tide and at 1:00 PM during low tide. We arrived around 2:00 PM.

After purchasing tickets, we began the long walk along the promenade. Thankfully, despite it being summer, the area felt refreshingly cool compared to the heat outside. At the first rest area, you can explore historical exhibits, including photos and information about the Bando Prisoner of War Camp in Naruto City, where German soldiers were detained during World War I.

Safety measures on the walkway are impressive, with protective nets and glass barriers providing a secure experience. Even children feel safe looking down through the glass floors at the sea below. Soon, we reached the second rest area, which featured panels introducing Tokushima’s attractions, such as Ryōzenji Temple and Gokurakuji Temple, as well as the history of Ōtani-yaki pottery, which dates back to the Edo period in 1780 and is a symbol of Tokushima craftsmanship.

Every rest area had something interesting, and at the end of the promenade, the glass floors offered the best views. Here, you can clearly see the swirling whirlpools, which are hard to spot from a boat but visible from above. Farther out, the whirlpools appear as perfectly round, flowing circles.

Below, cargo ships passed under the Ōnaruto Bridge, and tourist boats circled the whirlpools for a closer look. The natural wonders below the bridge are truly awe-inspiring and a must-see in Tokushima.

After finishing, it was already close to 3:00 PM Japan time. Without realizing it, we had been here for an hour. After a short break, we headed back to the entrance, which also serves as the exit. Nearby, there was a spot for stamping a commemorative seal. The stamp was so large that we had to use the paper provided at the ticket office next to the stamping area to make it work.

In our rush earlier, we had skipped over the explanation of how the Naruto whirlpools form—primarily due to the Earth’s rotation, the gravitational pull of the moon, and the unique seabed topography creating tidal currents.

After appreciating Tokushima’s Naruto whirlpools and the engineering marvel of the Ōnaruto Bridge, we took some time to observe the vehicles traveling across it. The construction of this bridge is undoubtedly a monumental feat.