Naruto Strait whirlpools

Naruto Strait whirlpools

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Large whirlpools are formed in the Naruto Strait under Onaruto Bridge as the season for the spectacle has arrived on April 29, 2011.

Whirlpools at Naruto Strait

Whirlpools at Naruto Strait

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Whirlpools are seen under the Onaruto Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Kobe with Naruto and Tokushima in the Shikoku region, in the Naruto Strait on April 28, 2010. The strait connecting the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean is only 1.3 kilometer wide and seawater flows in and out from the Seto Inland Sea. The height difference between high tide and low tide reaches up to 1.5 meters, creating numerous whirlpools. At this time of the year, the diameter of whirlpools can be over 20 meters.

Spring tides create whirlpools

Spring tides create whirlpools

NARUTO, Japan - A whirlpool is seen April 5 under the Onaruto Bridge linking the Japanese islands of Awaji (background) and Shikoku in western Japan as the spring tides come to the Naruto Straits off Tokushima Prefecture.

Ex-komusubi Itai defiant in sumo bout-fixing controversy-5

Ex-komusubi Itai defiant in sumo bout-fixing controversy-5

Ex-komusubi Itai defiant in sumo bout-fixing controversy TOKYO, Japan - Former sumo wrestler Keisuke Itai delivers yet another body blow to the sumo establishment Feb. 2, saying he is ready to defend his claims of bout-fixing in court while refusing to apologize to sumo officials over the latest controversy. (Photo was taken on January 24, 1985 when Itai (R) was a wrestler (wrestling name -Onaruto) )

Naruto Strait whirlpools

Naruto Strait whirlpools

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Large whirlpools are formed in the Naruto Strait under Onaruto Bridge as the season for the spectacle has arrived on April 29, 2011. (Kyodo)

Whirlpools at Naruto Strait

Whirlpools at Naruto Strait

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Whirlpools are seen under the Onaruto Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Kobe with Naruto and Tokushima in the Shikoku region, in the Naruto Strait on April 28, 2010. The strait connecting the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean is only 1.3 kilometer wide and seawater flows in and out from the Seto Inland Sea. The height difference between high tide and low tide reaches up to 1.5 meters, creating numerous whirlpools. At this time of the year, the diameter of whirlpools can be over 20 meters. (Kyodo)

Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves

Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves in western Japan on May 4, 2020. The bridge connects the city of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Operations of passenger ships to see the spectacle have been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves

Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves in western Japan on May 4, 2020. The bridge connects the city of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Operations of passenger ships to see the spectacle have been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves

Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Onaruto Bridge and whirling waves in western Japan on May 4, 2020. The bridge connects the city of Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Operations of passenger ships to see the spectacle have been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Spring tides create whirlpools

Spring tides create whirlpools

NARUTO, Japan - A whirlpool is seen April 5 under the Onaruto Bridge linking the Japanese islands of Awaji (background) and Shikoku in western Japan as the spring tides come to the Naruto Straits off Tokushima Prefecture. (Kyodo)