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
Whether you get to see the giant whirlpool depends largely on the luck of your travel time. On the day we went, there was a bit of traffic due to the holiday, so by the time we arrived, the whirlpool wasn't at its largest, but it was still visible. There weren't many people that day. The driver and guide were the same person, driving a small car, so the space was a bit cramped. We opted not to see the Awa Dance and chose to take the cable car instead. The view from the top was quite good. You can buy tickets at the ground level or at the cable car station. The ride is 15 minutes, and the cars run very frequently. The Happy Pancake shop also had a long line that day, but we suddenly saw a staff member ask if anyone wanted to sit outside, allowing us to be seated immediately. Since we only had about an hour, we definitely chose to sit outside. Although it was a bit sunny, the view was excellent. After finding our own seats, we ordered at a self-service machine, and the food was served relatively quickly.
My wife and I had a wonderful day trip to this Awaji Island whirlpool from Osaka. Besides the beautiful scenery, our driver Mr.張先生was very helpful and professional. despite the heavy traffic due to Japan holidays, he managed to visit all the good spots and sites and get back to Osaka safely. He even helped us call the restaurant where I had a dinner reservation to let them know we were running late. He even dropped us off right in front of the restaurant. We had a wonderful day trip.I highly recommended this trip. thank you Mr. 張
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 service quality is excellent, the car is very clean, and the itinerary is well-planned. It's definitely worth the trip, and I would choose them again if I have the chance.
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.
Our driver and tour guide, Li Jun, was very friendly and helpful! We hope to visit again when the weather is a bit cooler!
This tour was a fantastic experience. Our driver and guide, Chang Yan-jin, was very friendly and immediately helped with any questions or assistance needed for buying tickets, making the whole trip completely worry-free. The vehicle was also kept extremely clean and comfortable, the seats were great, and I slept comfortably the entire way 😂 The itinerary was very well-organized as well. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day trip experience!
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.
The scenery is very beautiful, and the tour guide's service attitude is excellent.
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.
Good to know
[About the Product] This product does not include any admission tickets and participating activities are at your own expense.
- Naruto Whirlpool Sightseeing Boat (Wander Naruto) Departure times: 10:20, 11:00, 11:40 (As there are optimal viewing times for the whirlpools which change daily, there may be times when the whirlpools are not visible depending on the schedule. Refunds will not be accepted based on this reason~) Reference prices: Adults 2,000 JPY, Children 1,000 JPY (Aged 7-11). First class (2nd floor) fee: Adults +1,000 JPY (Children are free, but must be accompanied by a guardian).
- Uzushio Promenade: Adults 510 JPY, Junior high and high school students 410 JPY, Elementary school students 260 JPY, Free for children under 6.
- Otsuka Museum of Art (Closed every Monday) Reference ticket prices: Adults 3,300 JPY, University students 2,200 JPY, Elementary, junior high, and high school students 550 JPY.
- Awa Odori Hall: Awa Odori Hall Odorana Sonson Awa Odori (Performance duration: 40 minutes) (Showtime: 14:00) Admission fee / Adults 1,300 JPY, Children & Junior high school students 700 JPY Closed days: December 28 - January 1, February, June, September, and the second Wednesday of December (if it falls on a public holiday, the closure will be shifted to the following day).
- Bizan Ropeway Sanroku Station Reference ropeway fares: General (junior high school students and above): Round trip 1,500 JPY, Elementary school students: Round trip 800 JPY.
- Awaji Island Happy Pancake Afternoon Tea fee: Approx. 1,000 - 3,000 JPY per person, expenses are at your own expense.
[About Itinerary Schedule] According to Japanese labor laws, the maximum daily working hours for Japanese drivers must not exceed 10 hours (including garage entry and exit). The tour guide may appropriately adjust the itinerary sequence and stay durations based on traffic and on-site conditions of the day. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
[Pre-trip Notification Email] We will send an email between 20:00 and 21:00 (Japan Time) on the night before departure. The content includes: tour guide contact information, driver details, meeting point map, and precautions. Please be sure to check your email and check your spam folder as well. If you are traveling during peak season, the email may be slightly delayed; thank you for your understanding. If you receive multiple emails, please refer to the latest one.
[About Seating Arrangements] This tour is a group tour, and vehicle seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We will try our best to accommodate your seating requests. If you have special arrangements, please specify them in the “Special Requirements” column when booking, but the final arrangement will be coordinated and decided by the tour guide based on actual conditions. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
[About Group Tours] This itinerary is a group activity, and you may share the vehicle 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] Be sure to arrive at the designated meeting point on time. As this itinerary operates on a shared-ride basis, we cannot wait for latecomers, and no refunds will be issued. Any expenses and responsibilities arising from being late will be borne by you. Thank you for your understanding.
[About Force Majeure] In case of itinerary delays caused by force majeure factors such as weather and traffic, the tour guide will flexibly adjust the itinerary sequence on-site, or shorten/cancel the stay duration at certain attractions as appropriate to ensure travel safety. We will do our best to provide you with the best experience, and thank you for your understanding.
[About Luggage] Each tourist is allowed to carry 1 piece of standard luggage for free. Please make a note in the “Special Requirements” when booking. If you bring luggage temporarily without prior notice, it may result in insufficient space in the vehicle, affecting the safety and comfort of others. The tour guide has the right to refuse your boarding, and the fee will not be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.
[About Vehicle Types] We will arrange suitable vehicle types (such as vans, minibuses, or large buses) based on the actual number of travelers. Vehicle types cannot be specified; your understanding is appreciated.
[About Mid-tour Departure] This itinerary is a group tour. You are not allowed to leave the group midway or depart early. If you choose to leave the group midway, the remaining itinerary will be deemed as automatically abandoned without a refund. Any issues or expenses arising from this will be borne by you.
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