Naruto Cycling Guide: Onaruto Bridge, Whirlpool Views, and Local Food in Tokushima

Enjoy cycling in Naruto, Tokushima, with views of the famous Naruto whirlpools and Onaruto Bridge. Find recommended routes, bike rentals, local food, and more.

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Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture

This is the official tourism site for Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. We provide information to help you enjoy Naruto, from popular tourist spots to more niche information! 🌊This is what Naruto City is like🍠 The eastern gateway to Shikoku. It is connected to the Kansai region🚙 by the Onaruto Bridge and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Enjoy nature with the sea🌊 and mountains🏔! There are plenty of tourist spots, including the Naruto whirlpools, one of the world's three largest tidal currents, the Awa Odori dance, and the pilgrimage route!

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• Table of Contents
• Why Cycle in Naruto? Scenic Views of the Onaruto Bridge and Naruto Strait
• UZU PARK: Your Cycling Base and Recommended Routes in Naruto
•  Gourmet"Taste Naruto on the Go! Local “Cup-in Gourmet”
• Bike Rentals and Cyclist-Friendly Spots in Naruto
•  Cycling Ambassador and Local Experts Share What Makes Cycling Here Special
• Enjoy Cycling in Naruto

Why Cycle in Naruto? Scenic Views of the Onaruto Bridge and Naruto Strait

The Naruto Whirlpools are considered one of the world's three greatest tidal currents. The Naruto spans the whirlpools, and you can enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and local cuisine while cycling through Naruto, which is a major attraction of cycling in the area.

The entire region is cyclist-friendly, and you can enjoy cycling around Naruto at any level, from casual rides for beginners to serious long-distance rides.

Additionally, construction of the " Naruto Bicycle Path" is underway on the Naruto .

The cycling path is planned to pass through the space beneath the bridge, offering the appeal of experiencing the sea breeze, the sound of waves, and the scenery of the Naruto Strait while cycling through the impressive space of continuous steel beams. Furthermore, while whirlpool viewing from the sea is currently only possible from the "Uzunomichi" (Whirlpool Walkway) on the Naruto side, after the bridge opens, it will be possible to view the whirlpools a little further offshore than the "Uzunomichi."

Onaruto Bridge Promenade: Uzu no Michi

Naruto Park, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture 772-0053

This facility is a tide observation facility that uses the bridge girder space of the Onaruto Bridge on the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge to set up a 450m promenade and a whirlpool observation room. You can experience and see the whirlpools and the Onaruto Bridge. Naruto Park has an observation deck where you can see the Onaruto Bridge and the whirlpools, as well as many scenic spots, the Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall Eddie, the Otsuka Museum of Art, Eskahiru Naruto, and a tide observation boat. You can enjoy touring the tourist spots using the promenade.

UZU PARK: Your Cycling Base and Recommended Routes in Naruto

UZU PARK Cycle Station

If you're looking to enjoy cycling around Naruto, the first place you should check out is "UZU PARK Cycle Station".

We support cyclists by serving as a rest stop for the " ASA Triangle Cycling Tourism " tour, which takes them through Higashikagawa City in Kagawa Prefecture , Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture , and Minamiawaji City Awaji Island .

The facility includes a bicycle maintenance area where maintenance tools and air pumps are available for free use. Coin lockers, showers, and a rest area are also available, and it is open from 7:00 to 20:30, making it convenient for taking a break before, during, or after your cycling trip.

UZU PARK

772-8510 Tokushima Prefecture Naruto City Muya Town Okuwajima Aza Toiw...

UZU PARK, which opened in November 2018 as a sports park, is a facility that promotes new sports with the aim of producing Olympic athletes from Naruto and going on to the world, with the core being "Japan's most beautiful skateboard park," which expresses the ocean currents and whirlpools of Naruto's ocean. It is equipped with a skate park, basketball court, and cycle station, which boasts the largest area in western Japan. Why not enjoy this authentic facility that is exciting even just to watch, with sections designed under the supervision of professional skaters?

Recommended cycling routes in Naruto

In Naruto, you can enjoy four itinerary ranging from casual cycling suitable for beginners to serious long-distance rides. Refer to the distance, estimated time, and surrounding attractions to choose the course that's perfect for you.

 Gourmet"Taste Naruto on the Go! Local “Cup-in Gourmet”

For a break during your cycling trip, we recommend "Cup-in Gourmet," a convenient and easy-to-eat option. Available at shops in Naruto City and Minamiawaji City City on Awaji Island , these take-out meals use local ingredients and are perfect for enjoying the flavors of Naruto while taking a break, as they don't require getting your hands dirty and can satisfy your hunger.

Among them, the "Wakame Soft Serve" from "Ogata Shoten" at the foot of the Naruto is a must-try. Made with an original recipe using Naruto wakame seaweed, this Naruto-exclusive sweet treat features a perfect balance of the gentle sweetness of milk and a subtle hint of the sea.

Ogata Shoten is located very close to the Senjojiki Observatory. We recommend their piping hot bamboo chikuwa, which is grilled right in front of you.

Ogata store

772-0053 65-6 Fukuike, Tosa Naruto Naruto City

●2 minutes walk from Uzu-no-michi! ●Right next to Senjojiki Observatory! ●Look for the "Sudachi-kun & Whirlpool Screen"! Our store is a souvenir shop that was founded 50 years ago. We also operate a cafe. [Shop] We stock a wide variety of Tokushima specialties, including wakame seaweed from the Naruto, Tokushima specialty sudachi citrus, Naruto sweet potato, indigo dyeing, and Otani ware. [Cafe] There are about 26 seats in the eat-in space. There are light meals such as "Tokushima Ramen" and "Naruchuru Udon", as well as local gourmet fast food. We also have a wide selection of our proud local sweets, such as "Wakame Seaweed Soft Serve," "Naruto Kintoki Sweet Potato Gelato," and "Sudachi Soda"! [Photo Spots] We have prepared photo spots to help you create wonderful memories! ◯Awa Odori Doll ◯Whirlpool Screen ◯Sudachi-kun (Approval Number "Prefectural Citizen No. 24-23") Ogata Shoten Instagram account @naruto.ogatasyooten

In addition, there are a variety of "cup-in gourmet" items available, such as sweets made with Naruto sweet potatoes, strawberry smoothies, and chicken tempura with sudachi citrus flavor. It's also recommended to run around in search of your favorite gourmet item.

See more Cup-in Gourmet

Bike Rentals and Cyclist-Friendly Spots in Naruto

Bicycle rental in Naruto| Rates and rental methods

The "Naruto Bus Stop" is mainly used by express buses connecting Shikoku and the Kansai region. Right next to it, the "Naruto City Tourist Information Center" offers bicycle rentals for just 500 yen a day.

While same-day rentals are possible if there are vacancies, advance telephone reservations are recommended. When using the service, you will fill out an application form on-site to rent a bicycle.

Naruto City Tourist Information Center

772-0011 Tokushima Prefecture Naruto City Muya Town Okuwajima Aza Toiw...

Located near the Naruto Naruto Bus Stop, we provide information on sightseeing and transportation in the surrounding area, mainly in the city. The facility also features a JR Shikoku Bus and Tokushima Bus Group express bus ticket issuing counter (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). The facility is equipped with a tourist information board focusing on Naruto City, a waiting room, coin lockers, rental bicycles, toilets, a taxi stand, and more. A free slope car called "Sloppy" runs between the mountaintop station, where the express bus stop is located, and Information Center Station. There is also a 24-hour parking lot (capacity 171 cars).

A must-visit spot during your cycling trip! Naruto's "hospitality spots"

Naruto has many "Omotenashi Spots" where cyclists can enjoy services such as rest stops, water replenishment, and bicycle maintenance. Look for the orange "ASA Cycling Omotenashi Spot" sticker.

Among them, the most unique is Chomeiji Temple, also famous as the "hydrangea temple." In addition to bicycle stands, the temple grounds offer cyclist-specific treats such as "cycle ema" (votive tablets) depicting the Naruto and bicycles, and "cycle fortune slips" that come with traffic safety stickers.

To pray for a safe cycling trip, why not stop by during your journey?

 Cycling Ambassador and Local Experts Share What Makes Cycling Here Special

Naruto offers a variety of attractions as you cycle through it, from its ocean and mountain scenery to its deeply rooted local culture and cuisine. Here, we spoke with a Naruto City's cycling ambassador, Masakiyo Maezono, and bicycle shop owners who support the cycling culture in the region, about the appeal of cycling around Naruto and its future.

A message from Cycle Ambassador Masakiyo Maezono

Masakiyo Maezono, a former member of the Japanese national soccer team and the cycling ambassador for Naruto City, describes the appeal of cycling in Naruto as follows:

"The appeal of cycling in Naruto lies in being able to enjoy both the sea, such as the Naruto Strait and Uchino Sea, and the mountains, such as Mt. Oasa, all at once. Furthermore, you can experience the history, culture, and rich cuisine nurtured in this region with all your senses. On the other hand, the area around the city center has few hills, making it recommended for cycling beginners as well. We hope everyone enjoys exploring Naruto!"

The fact that Naruto offers a compact blend of breathtaking ocean views, lush mountains, rich history, and delicious cuisine is what makes it so appealing.

A local bicycle shop owner talks about the present and future of cycling in Naruto.

Mr. Fujioka, the owner of "Bike & Cycle Fujioka," which was founded in 1950, has observed Naruto's cycling culture for many years. Currently, he is working with various people in the community to prepare for the opening of the Naruto Cycling Path.

Mr. Fujioka says that new energy is born in the town when not only people who have been rooted in the region for a long time, but also visitors from outside the region, younger generations, and people with new ideas join in. He also says that Shikoku has a unique atmosphere that is different from Honshu, and that "it has been said to have a spiritual charm, like being in another world."

Mr. Fujioka hopes that the connection between Awaji Island and Awaji Island via the Naruto Cycling Path will help boost tourism on Awaji Island and spread that excitement to Naruto as well.

Meanwhile, Mr. Akaya, the owner of "Cycle Space UZU," is someone who moved to Naruto from outside the region and is trying to cultivate a new cycling culture.

After founding his business in 2018, Mr. Akatani learned about the plan for the Naruto cycling path and felt that "it might be my destiny to liven up Naruto with cycling." Since then, he has been supporting cyclists as a local bicycle shop owner.

In Naruto, there are not only roads with few traffic lights that are easy to ride on, but also spectacular views at the top of hills and roads that run through fields of Naruto sweet potatoes—scenery that can only be encountered by bicycle.

My vision for the future is one where cycling routes connect Naruto to various locations, eventually allowing me to cycle around the entire Seto Naikai.

"Connecting with people is just the beginning. We want to sow the seeds now so that they'll think, 'I want to come back again.'"

Longtime residents who have supported the community and newcomers who have moved here—their shared aspirations are creating a new way to enjoy cycling in Naruto.

Enjoy Cycling in Naruto

Naruto offers breathtaking views of whirlpools and the Naruto, as well as fields of Naruto sweet potatoes—scenery you can only truly appreciate by bicycle. In the future, the opening of the " Naruto Cycling Path" will expand the possibilities for cycling trips connecting Naruto with Awaji Island.

Why not embark on a cycling trip to feel the breeze of Naruto while enjoying local cuisine and hospitality?