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All Japan Tonosho Dofuchi Strait
AO Edited

Dofuchi Strait

The world's narrowest strait is often mistaken for a canal.

Tonosho, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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Dofuchi Strait, the world’s narrowest strait.   AT
The canal-like strait of Dofuchi.   Maarten Heerlien
Aerial photograph of the strait.   Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
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Japan loves Guinness World Records. From the number of vending machines to the world's smallest escalator, it holds numerous world records and always pushes for more to boast about.

Dofuchi Strait in southern Japan was one of its many submissions to Guinness, and in 1996 it was designated as the narrowest strait in the world. Previously unnamed, it was given the name Dofuchi (土渕) at the time of its submission after its hometown of Tonoshō (土庄), and the district of Fuchizaki (渕崎) located on the opposite side.

The narrowest part of it is only 32.5 feet (9.93 meters) wide, which makes it a stark contrast to the broadest straits in the world, most of which span for tens of thousands of meters at their narrowest points. Though it stretches on for little over a mile, Dofuchi Strait may be mistaken for some common canal as concrete revetments cover both of its banks.

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Although the name is often mistaken as "Dobuchi" Strait, the correct name is Dofuchi. The town hall nearby offers a certificate of "strait-crossing" for 100 yen.

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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

December 2, 2021

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  • https://www.my-kagawa.jp/point/310
Dofuchi Strait
Tonosho, 761-4121
Japan
34.486423, 134.18624
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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tonosho

Tonosho

Japan

Places 2

Nearby Places

Yokai Art Museum

Tonosho, Japan

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tonosho

Tonosho

Japan

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