Overview
Tobishima is an uninhabited island lying off Tosadomari-ura in Naruto Town, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. Set on the eastern side of Ōge Island near the Naruto Strait, it is a small island whose highest point rises only about 25 meters, and it falls within Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea) National Park. Despite its size, it holds a distinctive natural character, with ubame oak and wild pinks growing across it and a colony of Chinese juniper clinging to the rocky cliffs on its western side.
Highlights
- ●A small uninhabited island about 25 meters high, near the Naruto Strait
- ●A colony of Chinese juniper designated a prefectural natural monument
- ●Seto Inland Sea vegetation of ubame oak and wild pinks
- ●A treacherous sea known for whirlpools and reefs, with a lighthouse built in 1983
History
The waters around Tobishima have long been known as a treacherous stretch of sea, where the famous Naruto whirlpools swirl and hidden reefs lie scattered. The dangers of these waters were noted as far back as the 1795 record 'Naruto Henshū,' which left the island a name as a place where ships met trouble. Against this backdrop, the Naruto Tobishima Lighthouse was established on the island in April 1983 to watch over safety at sea. The colony of Chinese juniper on the western cliffs is designated a natural monument by Tokushima Prefecture.
Access
The island lies at roughly 34.23°N, 134.65°E, off Tosadomari-ura in Naruto Town, Naruto City. It is an uninhabited island on the eastern side of Ōge Island, and means of landing are limited. Because the surrounding waters are known for whirlpools and reefs, viewing is mainly done from the sea. Check official Naruto tourism sources for whirlpool cruise routes and whether closer viewing is possible.
Best season
The Naruto whirlpools grow especially powerful during the spring and autumn spring-tide periods, when the tidal range is greatest, making these seasons the highlight for taking in the waters around Tobishima. On calm, clear days, the pristine sea of Setonaikai National Park and the small island's greenery stand out beautifully.
Map
34.2318, 134.6483 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1View the waters around Tobishima from a Naruto whirlpool cruise or a coastal viewpoint
- 2Take in the small island off eastern Ōge alongside the force of the whirlpools
- 3Reflect on the island's Seto Inland Sea nature, such as the cliff-side juniper colony
- 4Explore the area using the Naruto Tobishima Lighthouse as a landmark of this perilous sea
Did you know?
💡 The colony of Chinese juniper growing on Tobishima's western cliffs is a natural monument designated by Tokushima Prefecture, preserving valuable vegetation on an islet only about 25 meters high. With ubame oak and wild pinks also growing here, this uninhabited island carries the nature of the Seto Inland Sea into the present day.
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