Osaka Naruto Whirlpool and Awa Dance Day Trip
- Naruto Whirlpools, one of the "world's three great whirlpools," are best viewed from late September to early October.
- The Otsuka Museum of Art is the world's first "ceramic board masterpiece" art museum.
- Awa Odori Kaikan in Tokushima is the perfect place to learn about and experience Japanese Awa Dance culture.
- Awaji Island's Happy Pancake shop has many Instagram-worthy photo spots, such as the stairway to heaven and circular ring on the beach. Facing the sea with beautiful scenery, every shot is a magazine cover. It is perfect for taking photos and is a favorite spot for girls.
What to expect
One-Day Trip from Osaka to Tokushima & Awaji Island! Visit Naruto Whirlpools / Otsuka Museum of Art + Awa Dance + Happy Pancake
A 2-hour drive from Osaka will take you to the first stop where you can choose between Naruto Whirlpools and Otsuka Museum of Art.
Naruto Whirlpools Naruto Whirlpools are one of the most stunning natural wonders in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. This area boasts the fastest currents in Japan and is known as one of the world’s three major tidal currents, along with the Strait of Messina in Italy and the Seymour Narrows in Canada. For a close-up and breathtaking experience, opt for a whirlpool sightseeing cruise. As the boat approaches the whirlpools, you’ll witness seawater swirling into giant “underwater tornadoes” with spectacular blue and white waves. If you prefer a leisurely experience, take a stroll along the promenade and watch the whirlpools change with the tides from the observation deck, experiencing the wonders of nature.
- Whirlpool Sightseeing Cruise: The cruise lasts approximately 30 minutes, departing every 40 minutes. (Please note that the best time to view the whirlpools varies and changes daily. Depending on the time, the whirlpools may not be visible.)
If you love art, visit the Otsuka Museum of Art, the world’s first “ceramic board masterpiece” museum! The museum displays 1,074 reproductions of works from ancient murals to modern paintings from the collections of over 190 museums in 25 countries, covering 170 artists’ famous works in their original size, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Monet, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Picasso, and more.
- When the Otsuka Museum of Art is closed, only Naruto Whirlpools will be available.
Awa Odori Kaikan (Awa Dance Hall) in Tokushima On the second floor, you can watch professional dancers perform Awa Dance. If the Awa Dance is not being performed or if you are not interested, you can go to the foot of Mt. Bizan Ropeway Station on the 5th floor and take a 6-minute ropeway ride to the summit for a panoramic view of the Tokushima Plain. The Great Naruto Bridge and Awaji Island are clearly visible in the distance, making it a healing experience on a clear day.
Awaji Island Happy Pancake! Built along the coastline, it offers a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. It’s a great place to watch the sunset. The freshly baked pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Drizzle them with honey, take a bite, and enjoy the rich milky flavor. Pairing them with a cup of hot coffee is the perfect way to end your trip.
Finally, return to Osaka, feeling fulfilled and happy after a fun-filled day!
Reviews
The tour guide is also the driver, and the 8-seater van can get you to your destination faster. There are two options, but you only need to pick one. Since there is still plenty of time, joining two more activities is a great value. The seaside view at the Happy Pancake is very romantic.
The weather was great, and the tour guide was excellent. We saw a few cherry blossoms, but all activities were optional and came with an extra cost, which made it a bit expensive in a way, but it was still convenient.
good good good
The scenery is very beautiful, and the tour guide's service attitude is excellent.
The tour guide and driver were polite, and the itinerary was well-planned, including time for lunch. Since it was a Saturday, we only had an hour to spend on Awaji Island, and the wait for Shifuku no Pancake was quite long, so we weren't able to try the pancakes, which was a bit disappointing.
One attraction was missed, and upon arriving at the Awa Dance Museum, it was discovered that it was closed for the day, so the whole afternoon was spent at Happy Pancake.
The experience wasn't great from the start. The tour guide/driver's Mandarin was difficult to understand, making communication challenging. They also didn't match the description or attire mentioned in the departure email, so I spent 10 minutes searching for them with my 4-year-old child. Phone calls and voice messages went unanswered. There was hardly any commentary during the trip (possibly due to the accent?). The timing at each location wasn't ideal either. It was a stark contrast to the excellent driver/guide I had on a previous Amanohashidate day trip. That being said, Awaji Island and Tokushima are incredibly beautiful.
Good to know
【About the Product】 This product does not include any admission tickets; participation requires self-payment.
- Uzushio Cruise Ship Wonder Naruto Departure Times: 10:20, 11:00, 11:40 (Due to the best time to view the whirlpools varying daily, there may be instances where whirlpools are not visible. Refunds will not be issued for this reason.) Reference Fees: Adults ¥1800, Children ¥900 (7-11 years old). First Class (2nd floor) Fees: Adults ¥2000, Children ¥1400.
- Promenade: Adults ¥510, Junior & Senior High School Students ¥410, Elementary School Students ¥260, Free for children under 6 years old.
- Otsuka Museum of Art Reference Admission Fees: Adults ¥3300, University Students ¥2200, Elementary, Junior & Senior High School Students ¥550
- Awa Dance Hall: Awa Dance Hall Odoranasonson Awa Odori (Performance time: 40 minutes) (Shows at 14:00) Admission Fee: Adults ¥1,300, Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥700 Closed: December 28th to January 1st, February, June, the second Wednesday of September and December (In case of public holidays, the closing day will be postponed to the next day)
- Mt. Bizan Ropeway Sanroku Station Reference Ropeway Fees: General (Junior high school students and above): Round trip ¥1,500, Elementary school students: Round trip ¥800.
- Awajishima Happy Pancake Afternoon Tea Cost: Approximately ¥1000-¥3000 per person; please bear your own expenses.
【About Tour Duration】 According to Japanese law, the maximum working time for Japanese drivers is 10 hours per day (including arrival and departure from the depot). The tour guide may adjust the itinerary order and duration of stay as appropriate depending on the traffic and on-site conditions of the day. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
【Pre-Departure Notification Email】 We will send an email between 20:00–21:00 (Japan time) the night before departure, containing the tour guide’s contact information, driver information, a map of the meeting location, and important reminders. Please be sure to check your email, including your spam folder. Please understand that emails may be slightly delayed during peak seasons. If you receive multiple emails, please refer to the latest one.
【About Seating Arrangements】 This tour is a group tour, and vehicle seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our best to accommodate your seating requests. If you have special arrangements, please indicate them in the “Special Requests” column when placing your order. However, the final arrangement will be coordinated and decided by the tour guide based on the actual situation. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
【About Group Tours】 This tour is a group activity, and you may be traveling with guests from different countries or who speak different languages. We hope you can embrace multiculturalism and enjoy the diversity of the journey.
【About Meeting Time】 Please be sure to arrive at the designated meeting location on time. As this tour operates on a shared ride model, we cannot wait for latecomers, and no refunds will be provided. Any costs and responsibilities incurred due to lateness will be borne by you. Thank you for your understanding.
【About Force Majeure】 In the event of delays due to weather, traffic, or other force majeure factors, the tour guide will flexibly adjust the itinerary order on-site or shorten/cancel the stay at some attractions as appropriate to ensure the safety of the itinerary. We will do our best to provide you with the best experience. Thank you for your understanding.
【About Luggage】 Each traveler is allowed to bring one standard piece of luggage free of charge. Please indicate this in the “Special Requests” section when placing your order. If you bring luggage temporarily without prior notice, it may cause insufficient space in the vehicle, affecting the safety and comfort of others. The tour guide has the right to refuse you to board the vehicle, and the fee will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.
【About Vehicle Type】 We will arrange a suitable vehicle (such as a van, minibus, or bus) according to the actual number of travelers. We cannot specify the vehicle type. Thank you for your understanding.
【About Leaving the Group Mid-Tour】 This tour is a group tour, and it is not possible to leave the group mid-tour or depart early. If you leave the group on your own, the remaining itinerary will be regarded as an automatic waiver, and no refund will be given. Any problems or expenses incurred as a result will be borne by you.
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