The gateway to Tokushima from Kansai is the sea of Naruto city and perhaps the most notable feature of this area, where the Naruto Straits are located, is the whirlpools that are one of the three major tidal currents in the world. The dynamic swirls of seawater created by the violent currents caused by the ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea are one of the renowned symbols of Tokushima.

The sea of Naruto, however, has a deeper charm. In contrast to the whirlpools, Uchinoumi, an inner bay surrounded by islands with calm waves, is located right next to the city. The calm environment is ideal for raft fishing, and there are about 140 fishing rafts in the area. The coexistence of such intense nature and tranquility is the charm of the sea of Naruto, and there is only one boat cruise company that allows you to experience both.

This is Uchinoumi Sōkai Cruising, which is operated by Daimei Marina, a company in Naruto City that supports the sale and licensing of small boats. Their "Naruto Uchinoumi Course" is catered to those who want to learn about the sea of Naruto, so here are three good points about this tour.

See amazing views not possible on land.

The rigid inflatable boat (RIB) used by Uchinoumi Sōkai Cruising is known for its powerful engine and slim design and these boats are used by military and police forces around the world for rescue operations at sea. They are less susceptible to waves and wind, are safe and stable, and since they have no enclosure or roof feel remarkably close to the surface of the sea. That is why the thrill of speeding across the surface of the water can be appealing.

As well, passengers can look up at various bridges, for example, the 1,629-meter-long Ōnarutokyō, which connects Awaji Island to Tokushima; the 57-meter-long Horikoshi Bridge, which connects Tokushima's largest island, Ōge, to Shimada Island, Tokushima's second largest island; and the 308-meter-long Konaruto Shinbashi Bridge, which spans the Konaruto Strait.

Learn a lot about Naruto's maritime history from knowledgeable guides.

Another good point of Uchinoumi Sōkai Cruising is the guide who also drives the boat. The guides are friendly, will take care of your trip on the boat, will eagerly tell you about history that perhaps even the locals are unaware of and explain the topographical features of Naruto and its history in a way that is easy to understand.

For example, in the area called Dōnoura, just below Konaruto Strait, fishermen who used to live here could fish right from their homes. It was also the first place in Japan to start using tegusu (silk thread) as a fishing line during the Edo period, and its good qualities spread throughout the country.
Traditional single-hook fishing still flourishes in Naruto, and the technique has been passed down to the next generation to catch bream, which prefer fast currents, without damaging the fish's body. This is a sample of what you will learn from your guide.

At various points during the tour, the guide will share interesting facts as well as describe details of Naruto's little-known history. By the time you get off the boat, you will know a lot about Naruto.
*The explanations are in Japanese only, so if you need an interpreter, please have one available.

Enjoy a private trip tailored to your wishes.

Uchinoumi Sōkai Cruising is a fully reserved tour that consists of chartering a single vessel. Therefore, specific requests such as “I want a longer, faster and more exciting trip so that children can enjoy it”, “I want to listen to the guide more because I want to learn more about history,” or “I want to enjoy the trip with less commentary so that I can enjoy conversation with my family” can be accommodated. Also, the speed of the boat and how much the guide gets involved can be adjusted to suit the passenger`s needs. Please enjoy your own personal cruise experience.

The best place to fully enjoy the sea of Naruto is on a boat.

Uchinoumi Sōkai Cruising also provides the charm of the sea of Naruto not possible from an observation deck on land. Other than the "Uchinoumi Course" (about 60 minutes) that was described in this article, there is also a “Naruto Straits Panorama Course” (about 45 minutes), which circles the area around Ōnaruto Gorge and Awaji Island. For those who want to learn a lot about the sea of Naruto, try the “Uchinoumi Course” and for those who want to enjoy the dynamic nature of the Pacific Ocean and the sense of speed of the boat, try the “Naruto Straits Panorama Course.”

This is a unique experience that offers both the physical pleasure of feeling the waves and wind with your body and the pleasure of learning about the region's history. When you visit Naruto, please come and experience Naruto Uchinoumi Sōkai Cruising.