It is bordered by the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the Kii Channel to the east and faces Awaji Island across the Naruto Strait, which is famous for its whirlpools.

The villages of Seto (瀬戸村), Naruto (鳴門村), Muya (撫養村), and Satoura (里浦村) were established within Itano District, Tokushima with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889.

Naruto has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tokushima 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Shikoku Railway Company – Kōtoku Line Shikoku Railway Company – Naruto Line Naruto has the home stadium of professional football team Tokushima Vortis and of baseball team Tokushima Indigo Socks.