Tokushima Prefectural Uzunomichi

Tokushima Prefectural Uzunomichi is an aerial promenade located in Naruto Park in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s rare tidal-current viewing facilities, built inside the bridge girder of the Onaruto Bridge, which connects Honshu and Shikoku. The facility opened in April 2000 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the completion of the Onaruto Bridge. Visitors can walk along the approximately 450-meter-long promenade and look directly down at the world-famous Naruto whirlpools from a height of about 45 meters above sea level, making it one of Tokushima’s most popular tourist attractions.

The greatest appeal of Uzunomichi is the opportunity to observe the Naruto Strait, considered one of the world’s three major tidal currents, and the Naruto whirlpools, said to be among the largest in the world, from directly above. From the observation room at the end of the promenade, visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of the Naruto Strait, while powerful currents and spectacular whirlpools surge below. During the spring and autumn spring tides, whirlpools measuring more than 20 meters in diameter can sometimes be seen, allowing visitors to experience the immense power of nature up close.

Four glass-floor sections are installed along the promenade, allowing visitors to look down through transparent flooring at the sea approximately 45 meters below. The thrill of watching the fierce currents and whirlpools flowing directly beneath your feet is a unique Uzunomichi experience and a favorite among many visitors. The glass floors are built with highly secure materials, including triple-layer laminated tempered glass, but the dramatic height causes more than a few visitors to feel their legs go weak.

Because whirlpools are a natural phenomenon caused by the ebb and flow of the tides, they cannot be seen at all times. The best viewing period is approximately one to two hours before and after high and low tides, and particularly large whirlpools are more likely to occur during spring and autumn spring tides. Since the times when whirlpools occur vary each day, visitors are advised to check the official website for “Today’s Best Time to See the Whirlpools” and the tide tables before visiting. Doing so increases the chances of seeing spectacular whirlpools.

From the promenade, visitors can see not only the whirlpools but also the massive structural framework of the Onaruto Bridge up close. Walking inside the bridge girder and experiencing its immense scale and structural beauty is another attraction unique to Uzunomichi. The observation room also offers magnificent views extending across the Naruto Strait, Awaji Island, the Seto Inland Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. On clear days, distant islands can be seen on the horizon.

Naruto Park, where Uzunomichi is located, is home to many other attractions. About a three-minute walk away is the Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall Eddy, where visitors can learn about the Onaruto Bridge and the mechanisms behind the whirlpools through videos and models, as well as enjoy 360-degree imagery and interactive exhibits. Other attractions within walking distance include the Otsuka Museum of Art, which reproduces famous paintings from around the world in full size on ceramic panels; Eska Hill Naruto, where a long escalator leads to an observation deck; and boarding points for sightseeing boats that offer close-up views of the spectacular whirlpools. Visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring the area around Naruto Park.

For an even closer experience of the whirlpools, combining a visit with a sightseeing boat tour is highly recommended. At Uzunomichi, visitors look down at the whirlpools from directly above, while sightseeing boats approach them from near the surface of the water, offering two distinctly different perspectives and forms of excitement.

The facility is equipped with elevators and other features designed to ensure accessibility. The promenade is relatively easy to walk along, and its ocean setting allows visitors to enjoy a stroll above the sea while feeling the sea breeze. As a result, Uzunomichi is popular with people of all ages, from children to senior citizens.

Tokushima Prefectural Uzunomichi is an approximately 450-meter-long aerial promenade built inside the girder of the Onaruto Bridge, where visitors can observe the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait directly from above, from a height of about 45 meters above sea level. In addition to enjoying thrilling views through the glass floors and a magnificent panorama created by the Onaruto Bridge and the Naruto Strait, visitors can explore numerous nearby attractions, including the Otsuka Museum of Art and the Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall Eddy. It is an essential and highly popular destination for sightseeing in Naruto.