Things to Do in Naruto (鳴門市), Tokushima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Naruto (鳴門市) in Tokushima Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Bandō prisoner-of-war camp, National Historic Site, Gokuraku-ji, 2nd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Naruto whirlpools and served by Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) via the regional hub at Tokushima Station & Awa-Ikeda Station. Set at 5 m elevation (34.1667°N, 134.6167°E), Naruto offers travelers a base for sampling regional Tokushima ramen (rich pork-soy broth topped with amakara (甘辛) sweet-savory pork belly & raw egg), Sudachi citrus with grilled fish, Awa Odori free-range chicken cuisine and exploring neighboring Matsushige (松茂町) (4.6 km), Kitajima (北島町) (7.4 km), Aizumi (藍住町) (12 km), Tokushima (徳島市) (12.7 km).

Naruto is located in the northeastern tip of Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It is bordered by the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the Kii Channel to the east and faces Awaji Island across the Naruto Strait, which is famous for its whirlpools. As with all of Tokushima Prefecture, the area of Naruto was part of ancient Awa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tokushima Domain ruled by the Hachisuka clan from their seat at Tokushima Castle. Naruto has a mixed economy of agriculture, commercial fishing, food processing and pharmaceuticals. Within Tokushima Prefecture, Naruto (鳴門市) serves as a city in Tokushima Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1947-03-15) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Giant tidal Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto), remote vine bridges and misty gorges of the Iya Valley (Miyoshi), Awa Odori Kaikan dance hall, and temples #1–#23 of the 88-Temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.

What to See & Do in Naruto (鳴門市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Naruto (鳴門市) from Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) at 5 m elevation (34.1667°N, 134.6167°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Naruto):

• Bandō prisoner-of-war camp, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Naruto (鳴門市).
• Gokuraku-ji, 2nd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage — local sightseeing landmark near Naruto (鳴門市).
• Naruto whirlpools — local sightseeing landmark near Naruto (鳴門市).
• Ōasahiko Jinja, ichinomiya of Awa Province — local sightseeing landmark near Naruto (鳴門市).
• Ōnaruto Bridge — local sightseeing landmark near Naruto (鳴門市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Naruto: Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) (connecting to Tokushima Station & Awa-Ikeda Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Naruto

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Naruto (鳴門市) and Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Tokushima Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Matsushige (松茂町) — 4.6 km from Naruto (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Kitajima (北島町) — 7.4 km from Naruto (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Aizumi (藍住町) — 12 km from Naruto (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Tokushima (徳島市) — 12.7 km from Naruto (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Itano (板野町) — 15.4 km from Naruto (Tokushima Prefecture)

Getting to Naruto & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Naruto (鳴門市) via Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km): 2h 30m by highway bus from Osaka/Kobe across the Akashi Kaikyo & Naruto bridges, or via Okayama + JR Uzushio Limited Express. From Tokushima Station & Awa-Ikeda Station, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) to reach central Naruto (34.1667°N, 134.6167°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Tokushima with Naruto (鳴門市) and neighboring Matsushige, Kitajima, Aizumi. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Naruto, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Naruto and continuing toward Matsushige can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Naruto: While Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) anchors public transit for Naruto, picking up a rental car at Tokushima Station & Awa-Ikeda Station makes it easy to link Bandō prisoner-of-war camp, National Historic Site and Gokuraku-ji, 2nd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage with nearby Matsushige (松茂町) (4.6 km), Kitajima (北島町) (7.4 km), Aizumi (藍住町) (12 km), Tokushima (徳島市) (12.7 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Naruto (鳴門市) & Tokushima

Dining near Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) and across Naruto (鳴門市) highlights the regional food culture of Tokushima Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Naruto:

• Local specialty & terroir of Naruto (鳴門市): coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets alongside regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Tokushima ramen (rich pork-soy broth topped with amakara (甘辛) sweet-savory pork belly & raw egg) — regional specialty enjoyed across Naruto (鳴門市) and Tokushima Prefecture.
• Sudachi citrus with grilled fish — regional specialty enjoyed across Naruto (鳴門市) and Tokushima Prefecture.
• Awa Odori free-range chicken — regional specialty enjoyed across Naruto (鳴門市) and Tokushima Prefecture.
• Iya soba & dekomawashi (skewered potatoes/tofu in miso) — regional specialty enjoyed across Naruto (鳴門市) and Tokushima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Naruto (鳴門市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km).

Where to Stay in Naruto (鳴門市)

Visitors staying overnight in Naruto (鳴門市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km), or base at major rail hubs in Tokushima (Tokushima Station & Awa-Ikeda Station) or neighboring Matsushige, Kitajima, Aizumi for quick train access into Naruto. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Naruto & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Naruto (鳴門市, 5 m elevation at 34.1667°N, 134.6167°E): August 12–15 for the electrifying Awa Odori dance festival; spring and autumn high tides for largest Naruto whirlpools and Iya Valley vine bridges.

Wider sightseeing across Tokushima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Bandō prisoner-of-war camp, National Historic Site in Naruto (鳴門市) includes: Giant tidal Naruto Whirlpools (Naruto), remote vine bridges and misty gorges of the Iya Valley (Miyoshi), Awa Odori Kaikan dance hall, and temples #1–#23 of the 88-Temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Practical Travel Tips for Naruto (鳴門市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Naruto: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Tokushima Station & Awa-Ikeda Station or Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) for local bus schedules to Bandō prisoner-of-war camp, National Historic Site and walking maps of Naruto (鳴門市).
• Cash & ATMs in Naruto: Convenience stores and major hotels around Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Bandō prisoner-of-war camp, National Historic Site often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Naruto accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Naruto: Around Naruto Station (鳴門駅) (1.6 km) and neighboring Matsushige, Kitajima, Aizumi, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.