Kurushima Strait, Maritime strait in Imabari, Japan
The Kurushima Strait is a channel between islands in the Seto Inland Sea, roughly 1.4 kilometers wide with powerful tidal movements. Strong currents flow through here daily, creating visible water patterns that shift with the tides.
During the Sengoku period, the Murakami clan ruled from Kurushima Castle and controlled maritime trade passing through these waters. Their authority over this strategic passage shaped the region for generations.
Fishing communities have long made their homes along these waters, and you can still see their daily routines shaping life on the strait. Local fishermen continue practices passed down through families, making their presence visible throughout the day.
You can explore the strait from the shore or by taking a boat tour from nearby ports to get close to the water. The strongest water movements happen around tide changes, when the currents become most visible from viewing points.
Three different tidal currents meet in these waters and create spinning patterns that you can see from the bridge above. When these currents collide, they form swirling water movements that are visible to observers during specific times of the day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
