How to travel between Naruto and Tokyo
By air
JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Tokushima Airport. Flight duration is 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 30,000 yen, but discount tickets are usually available for around 17,000 to 24,000 yen. With an air pass you can fly for even less.
From Tokushima Airport buses operate to Naruto Station (15 minutes, 260 yen, 2-4 buses per hour), with some buses continuing on to Naruto Park (35 minutes, 460 yen, 1 bus per hour). Buses depart from the Tokushima Kuko-guchi bus stop, a 200 meter walk away from the airport terminal building.
By night bus
Tokubus and Keihin Bus operate daily night buses between Tokyo (Shinagawa Bus Terminal, Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and Shibuya Mark City) and Tokushima Station, stopping off at the Kosoku Naruto bus stop along the way (10,000 yen one way, 18,000 yen round trip). From the Kosoku Naruto bus stop, you can catch a local bus to Naruto Park (10 minutes, 270 yen, 1-2 buses per hour) or to Naruto Station (5 minutes, 110 yen, 4 buses per hour).
By train and bus via Osaka
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka Station (2.5 hours, frequent departures) and transfer to the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station (4 minutes). The one way trip costs around 13,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass when using hikari trains.
From Osaka Station, Honshi Bus and JR Nishi Nihon Bus operate highway buses to Naruto, stopping at Naruto Park (in the direction of Naruto only) and Naruto Station before terminating at the Naruto Sightseeing Boat Terminal (Uzushio Kankosen pier) near Naruto Park. The one way trip from Osaka Station to Naruto Station takes 3.5 hours and costs 3150 yen one way.
Several highway bus companies also operate buses from Osaka Station to Tokushima Station, which stop at Naruto Park (in the direction of Tokushima only) and the Kosoku Naruto bus stop along the way. The one way trip from Osaka to Naruto Park takes about two hours and costs 3150 yen.
Highway buses are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but pass holders can save around 700 yen by taking JR trains to Maiko Station (45 minutes from Osaka) and catching the highway bus from there (one hour, 2300 yen to Naruto Park or 2450 yen to Kosoku Naruto).
By train
It is possible to travel between Tokyo and Naruto entirely by JR trains although the trip takes about eight hours and should only be considered by Japan Rail Pass holders.
From Tokyo Station take a hikari train on the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama (4 hours, 1 direct hikari train per hour), and transfer to the JR Marine Liner to Takamatsu (1 hour, 2 trains per hour). Alternatively, take the Sunrise Seto night train from Tokyo to Takamatsu (10 hours, 1 train per day).
From Takamatsu take the "Uzushio" Limited Express to Ikenotani or Shozui Station (1 hour, 1 train per hour), and change to the JR Naruto Line to Naruto Station (20 minutes, 1 train per hour). From Naruto Station regular city buses serve Naruto Park (20 minutes, 300 yen, 1-2 buses per hour).
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Although all of Naruto's attractions can be reached by public transportation, connections are not very frequent and a rental car is a convenient alternative. Rental car outlets can be found in Tokushima City and at Tokushima Airport.
