Ochaen Observatory (inside observatory)

From this observation point above the Naruto Strait, the view centers on the famous Naruto whirlpools, the same spectacle that drew the lords of the Hachisuka family across by ship from Tokushima Castle for centuries. They built temporary tea houses here, giving Ochaen its name, meaning "tea garden." After the Meiji Restoration, the strait was fortified militarily, though the hill remained open to visitors. Today the viewpoint offers one of the best elevated perspectives on the whirlpools, especially during strong tidal shifts when the currents create the distinctive spiral patterns that have made this strait famous.