[Tokushima] Let's go see the Naruto Whirlpools! A detailed transportation guide to accessing the whirlpools from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe

• Table of Contents
• What kind of place is Naruto City? A city surrounded by nature,art and surrounded by the sea.
• Choose the transportation method that best suits your travel style! Recommended drop-off points
• How to get to Naruto from Osaka
• How to get to Naruto from Kyoto
• How to get to Naruto from Kobe
• How to get to Naruto from Tokyo
• How to get from Takamatsu Airport (TAK) to Otsuka Museum of Art
• Things to note when traveling around Naruto City by train or bus
• Summary

What kind of place is Naruto City? A city surrounded by nature,art and surrounded by the sea.

Naruto City is located in the northeast of Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku. If you use a rental car or express bus, you can get there in less than three hours from Osaka, Kyoto, or Hiroshima. The main tourist attractions are the Naruto Whirlpools and the Otsuka Museum of Art, Japan's largest ceramic art museum.

Choose the transportation method that best suits your travel style! Recommended drop-off points

1. If you are using a rental car, go to "Naruto kita IC"

If you are coming from outside the city by rental car, there is the Naruto kita IC . Since trains and buses have limited service, we recommend renting a car if you want to get Naruto City efficiently.

As of March 2025, there is a campaign where if you rent a car and stay at a designated accommodation facility in the city, you can receive a 3,000 yen discount per car. This is a must-see for anyone who wants to get around by rental car at a bargain price.

2. If you are taking an express bus, the "Naruto Park Bus Stop" or the "Naruto Naruto Bus Stop" are convenient.

If you use the express bus, you can easily access Naruto from Osaka, Kobe, Tokushima, Takamatsu, etc. There are more direct routes than trains, so it is recommended for travelers with a lot of luggage. The two main bus Naruto Naruto by the express bus are "Naruto Park Entrance Bus Stop" and "Express Naruto Bus Stop". Choose a stop to get off at according to where you want to go.

[Naruto Park Bus Stop]
The Naruto Park area, where the Naruto Park Entrance bus stop is located, is a popular tourist spot that includes the Naruto Bridge Promenade: Uzu-no-michi, where you can view the whirlpools from the bridge, an observation deck lined with souvenir shops, a dock for boats for watching the tides, and the Otsuka Museum of Art.
*Note: The Naruto Park Exit bus stop, where the express bus stops, is for disembarking only, so if you want to go to another destination, you will need to use a local bus or taxi within the city.

[Naruto Bus Stop]
The Naruto Bus Stop is about a 17-minute walk from JR Naruto Station, and there are many buses, so it is recommended to use it as a base for sightseeing in Naruto City. There are ramen shops and large supermarkets nearby, so you can have a quick meal or buy souvenirs.

3. If you are taking the train, JR Naruto Station is convenient

JR Naruto Station is the terminal station of the Naruto operated by Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku), and is convenient for accessing Tokushima Station and other tourist spots. From April 1, 2025, the JR Naruto Station Tourist Information Center will become an unmanned tourist information center equipped with terminals for calling tourist information operators, various pamphlets, and a rest area. Please stop by during your trip.

JR Naruto Station

772-0012 Tokushima Prefecture, Naruto City, Muya Town, Okuwajima

As a transportation hub for the tourist city of Naruto, it is used by tourists and locals alike. We value the heartfelt connections we have with these people. Why not start your trip to Shikoku, a place filled with hospitality, from Naruto?

Also, from JR Tokushima Station to JR Naruto Station, a single-car diesel train operated by a single driver runs outside of the morning rush hour. It is a local line that runs once an hour, but it is perfect for those who want to enjoy the slowly changing scenery. You can enjoy the nostalgic interior and the good old scenery seen from the window.

How to get to Naruto from Osaka

[Rent a car] From Kansai International Airport (KIX) or JR Osaka Station to Naruto Kita IC

The first way to get around is by rental car. With a rental car, you can visit your favorite tourist spots without having to worry about timetables, so it's recommended for those who want to visit various places at their own pace.

1. From Kansai International Airport (KIX) There are many rental car shops around Kansai International Airport (KIX), the gateway to the Kansai region, from major companies to shops that offer reasonable prices. If you are departing from Kansai International Airport (KIX), get on the expressway from the Kansai International Airport IC. Drive counterclockwise around Osaka Bay and get off at Naruto kita IC.

2. From around JR Osaka Station or Umeda Station
There are many rental car shops within a 5-minute walk of JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station. If you are heading from JR Osaka Station, get on at the Hanshin Expressway Umeda IC and drive to Naruto kita IC. The journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

[Express bus] From Kansai International Airport (KIX), JR Osaka Station, Nankai Namba Station, or Namba OCAT to Naruto Park Exit bus stop or Express Naruto bus stop

The second way to travel is by express bus, which is recommended for those who want to take it easy and enjoy the scenery from the window.
*Note: The Naruto Park Exit bus stop, where the express bus stops, is for disembarking only, so if you want to go to another destination, you will need to use a local bus or taxi within the city.

1. From Kansai International Airport (KIX) Direct buses operate from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. All bus companies will take you to the Naruto Park Exit Bus Stop or the Naruto Naruto Bus Stop in about 2.5 to 3 hours , so you can take a break during your trip.

2. From JR Osaka Station
Head to the JR Osaka Station Expressway Bus Terminal, located right outside the Chuo North Exit. It takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes to get from Osaka Station to the Naruto Park Exit bus stop or the Naruto Naruto bus stop .

3. From Nankai Namba Station or Namba OCAT
There are express buses that run to the Naruto Park Bus Stop or the Naruto Bus Stop, so you can travel to Naruto from Namba. It takes about 2 to 2 hours and 45 minutes to get there.

How to get to Naruto from Kyoto

[Rental Car] From Kyoto Station to Naruto Kita IC

If you are using a rental car, start by renting a car near Kyoto Station. When heading to Naruto City from Kyoto Station, enter from Kyoto Minami IC and drive to Naruto kita IC. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to arrive.

[Express bus] From Kyoto Station to Naruto Park Exit bus stop or Express Naruto bus stop

If you take the express bus, head to the Karasumaguchi bus terminal, which is a one-minute walk from the Chuo exit of Kyoto Station. After boarding the bus, it will take 2 to 3 hours to arrive at the Naruto Park Exit bus stop or the Naruto Naruto bus stop .

How to get to Naruto from Kobe

[Rent a car] From Kobe Station, Nada Station, Sannomiya Station to Naruto Kita IC

If you are renting a car, it is best to make a reservation near Kobe Station, Nada Station, or Sannomiya Station. Once you have rented the car, head towards Akashi City and drive onto the Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway. It will take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach Naruto kita IC.

[Express bus] From Shin-Kobe Station to Naruto Park Exit bus stop or Express Naruto bus stop

If you are taking the express bus, head to the 4th floor of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe, which is directly connected to Shin-Kobe Station. From this bus stop, you can access the Naruto Park Exit bus stop or the Naruto bus stop in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Since the travel time is short, you can enjoy your trip at your leisure.

How to get to Naruto from Tokyo

[Plane and bus] Plane from Haneda (HND), route bus from Tokushima Awa Airport (TKS) to JR Naruto Station

The first way to get there is to fly from Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokushima Awa Airport (TKS). The flight time is quite short, averaging about 1 hour and 10 minutes, so it is recommended for those who want to make the most of their time.

From Tokushima Awa Airport (TKS), take the Tokushima Bus Naruto Line bus. After a 25-minute ride, you'll arrive at the bus stop in front of Naruto Station.

There are direct buses from Tokushima Awa Airport (TKS) to the Otsuka Museum of Art and Naruto Park, Naruto if you want to go to those places, check which bus stops there and get on it.

Also, since local buses only run about twice an hour, it's a good idea to calculate your connecting flight times in advance.

You can also rent a car around the airport, so this is a great option if you want to tour Tokushima and Naruto freely at your own pace.

[Shinkansen and train] Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station, JR Shikoku Marine Liner from JR Okayama Station, JR Shikoku Limited Express Uzushio from JR Takamatsu Station, JR Naruto Station

The second way to travel is to use the Shinkansen or JR conventional lines. First, take the Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama Station, which takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes. It costs about 16,600 yen for an unreserved seat and about 17,130 yen for a reserved seat.

From JR Okayama Station, take the JR Shikoku Marine Liner to JR Takamatsu Station, which takes about an hour and costs about 1,660 yen one way.

Finally, from Takamatsu Station, board the JR Shikoku Limited Express Uzushio. Transfer to the Naruto at Iketani Station to arrive at JR Naruto Station.
If you use JR trains, you can travel around Shikoku Island from Okayama across the Seto Naikai. This is a recommended method of access for those who want to enjoy a leisurely journey and see the ever-changing scenery unique to the Shikoku countryside.

[Express bus] From Tokyo Station to Naruto Naruto Bus Stop

The third way to get there is to take an express bus from Tokyo to Naruto Station. The ride time varies depending on the bus company, but it takes about 9 to 11 hours. The one-way fare is about 8,000 to 14,000 yen.

Standard boarding points are Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. If you choose a bus that allows you to get off at the Naruto Naruto Bus Stop, you can easily access JR Naruto City Station.

Since you'll be driving through the night, it's a good idea to book a bus with seats spaced apart and a vehicle with a toilet for your comfort.

How to get from Takamatsu Airport (TAK) to Otsuka Museum of Art

The most convenient way to travel from Takamatsu Airport (TAK) in Kagawa Prefecture to the Otsuka Museum of Art is to take two buses.

First, take a bus from Takamatsu Airport (TAK) to Takamatsu Station. It takes about an hour to get to Takamatsu Station. The one-way fare is about 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children.

After that, board the bus departing from Takamatsu Station. After about an hour and a half, you will arrive at the Otsuka Museum of Art.

Adults can travel for about 2,300 yen one way. Please refer to this if you are planning to visit the Otsuka Museum of Art.

Things to note when traveling around Naruto City by train or bus

When sightseeing in Naruto City , it is important to know which areas are served by conventional train lines. The JR Naruto Naruto runs through a total of eight stations in Naruto City , from Naruto Station to Bando Station. If you are going to other areas, you will need to travel by local bus.

The bus stops include Naruto Park (Naruto/ Naruto Park Line), where you can see the Naruto and whirlpools, and Naruto City(Naruto Oasa Line), where you can find the Naruto German House and German Village Park. Many of the bus stops are located right in front of tourist attractions, so you can head to your desired tourist spot without making any detours.

If you are planning to visit Naruto City and Tokushima City, we recommend the one-day pass issued by Tokushima Bus. It can be used on all routes of Tokushima Bus, Tokushima Airport Limousine Bus, and Tokushima City Bus, and costs 1,500 yen for adults and 750 yen for children.

This is recommended for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of Naruto City by bus and visit famous tourist spots.

Summary

Naruto City is home to many must-see tourist spots, such as the Naruto Strait and whirlpools. It is easily accessible from Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe , and other cities, so you can fully experience the charm of Naruto City on a two- Tomari , one-night trip.

The Naruto City Official Tourism Site also provides information on access, tourist spots, and events. Please check it out when planning your trip to Naruto.

NARUTO CITY OFFICIAL TRAVEL GUIDE

*The prices listed in this article are subject to change.