Dofuchi Strait, Maritime passage in Tonoshō, Japan
Dofuchi Strait is a narrow channel in the Seto Inland Sea connecting two sections of water between the towns on opposite shores. It measures roughly 10 meters across, making it one of the tightest waterways in the region.
The strait takes its name from the combination of Tonoshō town and Fuchizaki district, which sit on opposite sides of the waterway. This naming reflects the geographical separation of the neighboring communities.
The local town hall offers visitors an official certificate to commemorate crossing this geographical oddity. Many people collect this certificate as a souvenir of their visit to such an unusual place.
The strait lies within the protected Setonaikai National Park and serves as a key reference point for maritime navigation in the region. A visit is easily accessible with good viewpoints of the narrow waterway from both shores.
In 1996, Guinness World Records confirmed this as the world's narrowest strait. Its width is comparable to a standard residential street, making it a remarkable geographical phenomenon.
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