Japan Awaji Island Naruto Whirlpools & Tokushima Awa Odori & Happy Pancakes Day Tour | Depart from Osaka
- From Osaka: Easy access to Awaji and Tokushima without having to transfer
- Get up close to the natural wonder "Naruto Whirlpool" and feel the shocking power of the sea whirlpool
- Visit Tokushima Awa Dance Museum: Immerse yourself in the traditional dance culture of Shikoku and feel the passionate rhythm of Awa Dance
- Awaji Island Happy Pancake Check-in: Check-in at the popular online dessert shop and enjoy the sweet taste limited to the island
- Great photography spot: The scenery along the way is picturesque and it is a paradise for photography enthusiasts
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Minimum participant requirement | 6 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
Take a day trip from Osaka to Awaji Island and Tokushima Prefecture.
Depart from the city early in the morning and take a sightseeing bus across the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The first stop is the world-famous natural wonder "Naruto Whirlpools". Board a tide-watching boat to appreciate the beauty of nature's power up close.
The tidal currents of the Naruto Strait are known as the "three major tidal currents in the world" along with the Messina Strait in Italy and the Seymour Strait in Canada. The tidal currents of the Naruto Strait are the fastest in Japan, reaching a maximum of more than 20 km/h during high tide.
Next, visit the Awa Dance Museum, which is the essence of Tokushima's culture. Not only can you enjoy the representative festival dance of Shikoku, but you can also experience and learn the steps of the Awa Dance in person and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese local culture.
Return to Awaji Island in the afternoon and visit the popular "Happy Pancake" cafe to enjoy a soft and dense pancake dessert that melts in your mouth, adding a happy taste to your journey.
This itinerary has an optimized route and reasonable time arrangement, suitable for families, couples or individual tourists to sign up, and you can enjoy the natural wonders and traditional culture in one day!
The Naruto Whirlpool is one of the three major tidal currents in Japan. It is located in the Naruto Strait in Tokushima Prefecture. It is one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world and one of Japan's natural wonders. The Naruto Tide Watching Boat (うずしお観潮船) departs from Tokushima or Awaji Island, and you can experience the shocking sight of the giant whirlpool at sea up close. (Boat tickets are at your own expense)
The Naruto Whirlpool is caused by the huge tidal difference between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. When the tide passes through the narrow Naruto Strait at high speed, a strong difference in water flow and water level is generated, thus forming a large amount of rotating water. There are four major whirlpool phenomena every day, with a maximum diameter of 20 meters and a maximum tidal speed of 20 kilometers per second.
The Uzu-no-michi (うずの道) trail on the Naruto Bridge is a transparent walkway located under the bridge, where you can watch the whirlpools from a high vantage point. It is suitable for tourists who are not prone to seasickness. (At your own expense)
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is a huge suspension bridge connecting Honshu and Shikoku in Japan. It is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world and is known as the "world's longest suspension bridge". It is also a symbol of Japanese civil engineering technology.
You can enjoy Awa Dance performances all year round at the Awa Dance Hall. You can watch the Awa Dance in the hall or dance along. There is also a museum where you can learn about the history of Awa Dance and the Tokushima Prefectural Product and Tourism Exchange Plaza, which has a wide variety of Tokushima specialties. On the 5th floor of the hall is the ropeway that goes to the famous Mt. Bizan summit.
Awa Odori originated more than 400 years ago and is the largest traditional dance festival in Shikoku, Japan. The Awa Odori Festival is held from August 12 to 15 every year, attracting more than 1 million visitors. Awa Odori has a cheerful rhythm and free movements. It is called the "Fool's Dance (舞る阿呆に見る阿呆)", which means: the dancer is a fool, and the person watching is also a fool, so why not dance together!
The architecture and environment of the Awaji Island Happy Pancake shop are stylish and fresh, with a simple wooden design, combined with natural elements and open floor-to-ceiling windows. It is an ideal place for couples to date, friends to dine together, and to take photos.
First row with a stunning sea view! Located on the Setouchi Coast of Awaji Island, it has a terrace with a stunning sea view. On clear days, you can also see Shodoshima Island and the sunset on the other side.
Check in the Japanese Internet celebrity soufflé pancakes, made with Awaji Island milk and eggs, with a cloud-like texture. Recommended set meal: classic original pancake + Awaji Island limited honey, 270-degree sea view terrace seat.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Osaka and Hyogo
Travel days: Round trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus Company: Osaka International Tourism, etc.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum number of people in a group: 6
Team Leader: 1
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: TuYi Group Japan Co., Ltd.
Address: 722 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
License exemption number: Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Registration Travel Industry No. 2-633
Travel Industry Association Name: Full member of Japan Travel Industry Association
Reminders
A minimum of 6 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 4 day(s) before the departure date
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
This trip is a fixed-route carpooling trip. You need to share the ride with other passengers throughout the trip. You are not allowed to park outside the attractions.
The stay time at each attraction has been optimized. Please strictly adhere to the time to avoid affecting the overall itinerary.
Depending on the number of participants on the day, we may use a car model with a driver who also serves as a guide. Please cooperate with the staff's arrangements throughout the trip. The driver will mainly drive and the explanation will be relatively brief.
Please be sure to gather on time: If you fail to participate in the tour due to personal reasons (late/lost/physical discomfort, etc.), you will not be able to get a refund. Please note that there is no refund.
Leaving the group after the trip has started/leaving the group midway will be deemed as automatic waiver of the service and no refund will be given. The passenger will be responsible for the safety of the group during the period of leaving the group.
The travel time may be adjusted due to force majeure such as traffic, weather, and crowd flow. In the event of delays or partial changes to the itinerary, we will not be able to request a refund or compensation based on this. Please forgive us and understand the uncertainty of the journey.
Traffic congestion may occur during holidays and peak periods. The driver and guide will flexibly adjust the itinerary depending on the situation. Please be mentally prepared. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
To maintain the cleanliness of the train, please do not eat or drink in the train. If you cause any damage, you will be charged a cleaning fee based on local standards. Please work together to create a comfortable riding environment.
As factors such as road conditions and weather may cause delays in the return time of the trip, passengers who need to take a flight on that day are advised to register carefully or reserve sufficient time to ensure a smooth trip.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 4 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 2 to 3 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–1 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
The Naruto Whirlpools are formed by the powerful collision of tidal currents between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean within the narrow Naruto Strait. The significant difference in tidal levels and speeds between these two bodies of water, combined with underwater topography, creates intense eddies and large, swirling whirlpools that are a spectacular natural sight.
Yes, visiting the Naruto Whirlpools is considered a highly worthwhile and unique experience. Travelers can witness this remarkable natural phenomenon up close from special observation decks on the Onaruto Bridge or by taking a dedicated sightseeing boat directly into the strait. It offers an exhilarating view of the sea's power and is a memorable highlight for those interested in natural wonders.
The name 'Naruto' is directly derived from the roaring sound produced by the whirlpools themselves. In Japanese, 'naru' (鳴る) means 'to roar' or 'to rumble,' and 'to' (門) refers to a gate or strait. Therefore, 'Naruto' aptly describes 'the roaring strait,' reflecting the powerful and noisy nature of the tidal currents and whirlpools in this specific geographical location.
The Naruto Whirlpools are a natural occurrence of large tidal whirlpools located in the Naruto Strait, which lies between Awaji Island and Shikoku. Visitors can best observe this impressive natural wonder from the Uzu-no-Michi Walkway, a glass-floored promenade suspended under the Onaruto Bridge, or by joining a sightseeing boat tour that navigates close to the swirling waters for a more immersive experience.
For convenient travel from Osaka to Awaji Island, especially for a day tour, it is highly recommended to join a pre-arranged tour. These tours typically offer direct, comfortable transportation services that depart from downtown Osaka, eliminating the complexities of navigating public transport connections, managing schedules, or concerns about transferring buses, ensuring a hassle-free journey to the island's attractions.
At the Tokushima Awa Dance Hall, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the traditional Awa Odori, one of Japan's most famous folk dances. The hall hosts daily live performances by skilled dancers, allowing guests to witness the energetic rhythms and distinctive movements. It also features a museum showcasing the history and vibrant costumes of Awa Odori, often including opportunities for visitors to learn simple dance steps.
The Happy Pancake on Awaji Island provides a delightful and popular dessert experience. This well-known spot is celebrated for its incredibly fluffy, soufflé-style pancakes, which are often served with a variety of fresh fruits and rich creams. Beyond the culinary treat, the location typically boasts charming aesthetics and often offers scenic views, making it an excellent spot for relaxation and photography.
Yes, a tour encompassing Awaji Island and Tokushima offers numerous picturesque photography opportunities. Excellent spots include the Onaruto Bridge, which provides stunning backdrops for the Naruto Whirlpools. On Awaji Island, the Happy Pancake shop and its surroundings often feature appealing scenery. Additionally, the coastal roads and natural landscapes along the tour route between the destinations are ideal for capturing memorable photos.
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