When is the best time to visit the famous tidal whirlpools in Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture?
As vortexes are formed by the ebb and flow of the tide, they reach their biggest size of more than 20-meters in diameter during the spring tides in the spring and fall. Accordingly, the annual opening ceremony, known as "Uzu-biraki," is held sometime between the end of February and early March at the whirlpool-viewing tour boating dock, marking the official arrival of the Naruto Whirlpool season.
The deafening and dynamic whirlpools can reach speeds of 20 kilometers per hour.
Getting up close on a tour boat is the classic way of experiencing this amazing phenomenon. Watching powerful whirlpools amidst the bellowing tides makes you feel as though you are on the verge of being dragged down into the bottomless depths. The magnificent sight of the vibrantly-moving whirlpools that appear, vanish and re-appear as they cross each other's paths is like witnessing a roaring thunderstorm raging in the ocean. It is easy to see why it was selected as one of Japan's top 100 soundscapes.
The powerful current also adds another joy to the spring season. Naruto's famous tastes from the sea; Naruto wakame (seaweed) and Naruto dai (red sea bream) are both known for their firm texture created by the constant buffeting of the current. Naruto wakame is at its best between February and March and soft-pink Naruto dai is in season when the cherry blossoms begin to display their similar springtime hue.
Another sight the season brings is the pilgrims en route to visiting Shikoku's eighty-eight temples. Avoiding the chill of winter, many set out on their journey during this warm season. The first and second temples on the pilgrimage route, Reizan-ji and Gokuraku-ji, are located in Naruto and attract pilgrims from all over Japan at this time of year.
The warm climate of Shikoku brings the early arrival of canola flowers in mid-March, as the buds begin to blossom on the cherry trees. The white-clad pilgrims in sedge hats, treading small paths surrounded by yellow canola or lingering at temples graced by blossoming cherry trees, are also part of the beautiful scenery of Naruto's spring. Locals say that they know winter is over when they hear the clear tinkling of the pilgrim's bells. Dynamic whirlpools and pilgrims are just two of the unique spring sights to be experienced in Naruto.
Naruto Tourism Association
http://www.naruto-kankou.jp/
Photos provided by
Naruto Tourism Association
