Awaji Island is the onion kingdom. The Awajishima Onion Beef Burger, which has won numerous contest awards, is a must-try. There are also many tourist attractions, such as Sumoto Castle, which has the oldest restored castle tower in Japan.
Awaji Island offers a number of tourist attractions, including Sumoto Castle, Esaki Lighthouse, National Akashi Kaikyo Park, Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, Awaji Yumebutai, Awaji World Park ONOKORO, The Plants Museum of Miracle Planet, Ichinomiya Awaji Castle, Awaji Country Garden, and Nakahama Minoru Cat Museum. Also recommended are local delicacies such as fresh shirasu (baby sardines), Awaji beef, marine products such as conger eels and octopus, and onions.
Marvel at the Naruto Whirlpools from One of the World's Great Bridges Onaruto Bridge is a spectacular suspension bridge connecting Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture with Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture. Spanning the Naruto Strait, part of the Seto Inland Sea, the bridge stretches 1,629 meters and was completed in 1985. It serves as an important transportation link between Shikoku and the main ...»
Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park is a large national park spanning two areas in Hyogo Prefecture: the Awaji District in Awaji City and the Kobe District, which includes parts of Kita and Nishi wards in Kobe. Covering approximately 330 hectares in total, the park offers extensive gardens, seasonal flowers, recreational facilities, and opportunities to experience Japan’s natural landscapes. D...»
Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Hanasajiki Park is a scenic flower park in Kusumoto, Awaji City, on the northern part of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Set across rolling hills, the park offers sweeping views of Osaka Bay, with colorful flower fields stretching toward the sea. Originally opened as Awaji Hanasajiki in 1998, the park was renamed Hyogo Prefectural Park Awaji Hanasajiki and reopened follo...»
The Naruto Whirlpools are a spectacular natural phenomenon that occurs in the Naruto Strait, between Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and Minami-Awaji City in Hyogo Prefecture. Formed by powerful tidal currents, these enormous swirling waters are among the largest whirlpools in the world. During periods of especially strong spring tides, individual whirlpools can reportedly reach up to 30 meter...»
Awaji Service Area is a popular highway rest stop located along the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Offering spectacular views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and a wide range of dining and leisure facilities, it is much more than a place to take a break during a drive. It is also a popular sightseeing destination in its own right and one of the largest service areas oper...»
Izanagi Jingu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Taga, Awaji City, on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. It is traditionally regarded as one of Japan's oldest shrines and is identified as the ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the former Awaji Province. In ancient shrine records, it is listed as a Myojin Taisha, a shrine of particularly high status. Today, it is also designated as...»
Tako-meshi is a traditional Japanese rice dish enjoyed for generations in communities along the Seto Inland Sea. Fresh octopus is cooked together with rice, allowing its savory juices to soak into the grains and create a deeply flavorful meal. As it cooks, the rice often takes on a delicate pink hue, making the dish as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate. Hyogo Prefecture is particularly ...»
A Beloved Soul Food Celebrating Awaji Island's Rich Bounty Awaji Island, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is blessed with abundant seafood, fertile farmland, and a thriving livestock industry. In 2008, this rich natural environment inspired the creation of a local specialty known as Awaji Island Beef Bowl. Made with three signature local ingredients—beef, onions, and rice—the dish showcases the islan...»
Sweet, Tender Onions from the Seto Inland Sea Awaji Island onions are renowned throughout Japan for their exceptional sweetness and tender texture. They are sometimes described as sweeter than watermelons or mandarins, making them a distinctive local specialty and a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Their remarkable sweetness is thought to result from a combination of the island’s climate,...»
Awaji Farm Park England Hill is a spacious agricultural and leisure park in Minamiawaji City, in the southern part of Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. Inspired by the English countryside of the Lake District, the park combines animal encounters, seasonal flower gardens, agricultural activities, and hands-on craft experiences. It is particularly well known for its koalas, which are among the park's ...»
Naruto Strait lies between Magozaki on Oge Island in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, on the northeastern edge of Shikoku, and Monozaki on Awaji Island in Minami-Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture. Known in Japanese as Ōnaruto, the strait forms an important maritime passage connecting the Harima-nada Sea, part of the Seto Inland Sea, with the Kii Channel leading to the Pacific Ocean. The strait is famous for t...»
Awaji World Park ONOKORO is a family-friendly amusement park located in Shiotashinshima, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Combining miniature architectural replicas, themed outdoor displays, and a variety of rides, the park offers visitors an entertaining way to explore famous landmarks and cultural scenes from around the world without leaving Awaji Island. Highlights include scale models of interna...»
Uzu no Oka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall is a multifaceted tourist attraction in Minami-Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Established to commemorate the opening of the Onaruto Bridge in 1985, this popular destination brings together the natural beauty, local cuisine, and distinctive entertainment of Awaji Island. From spectacular views of the Naruto Strait to interactive science exhibits, creative pho...»
Awaji Yumebutai is a cultural and resort complex in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, designed by internationally renowned architect Tadao Ando. Built to restore a landscape damaged by large-scale soil excavation, the complex embodies the idea of harmony between architecture and nature. Its highlights include the Shell Beach, created with approximately one million scallop shells, and the expansive Awa...»
Ohama Beach is a scenic sandy beach in Sumoto City on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. Known for its beautiful combination of white sand and green pine trees, it is one of the island's best-loved coastal destinations. The area is also locally known as Ohama Park or Mikuma Park and, together with Keino Matsubara, is a well-known symbol of Awaji Island's natural beauty. The beach lies within Setonaik...»
The Awaji Yumebutai Greenhouse, also known as Awaji Greenhouse, is an indoor botanical garden located within the Awaji Yumebutai complex in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Formerly known as Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum, the facility was renamed Awaji Greenhouse and reopened after renovations on September 18, 2021. It offers visitors an opportunity to discover an extraordinary variety of plants f...»
Honpukuji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It belongs to the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism and holds the status of a special head temple. Believed to have been founded in the late Heian period (794–1185), the temple enshrines a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine and Healing, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Awaji ...»
Sumoto Artisan Square is a cultural and commercial complex in Sumoto City on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. Located within the Sumoto Civic Plaza in the city's new urban center, the facility supports local industry while providing a welcoming space for arts, culture, shopping, and dining. Its distinctive combination of historic architecture and contemporary creative activities makes it an appeali...»
Wellness Park Goshiki Takataya Kahei Park is a multipurpose park in Sumoto City on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. Established to honor Takataya Kahei, a prominent maritime trader of the late Edo period (1603–1868), the park occupies a hillside overlooking the Harima-nada Sea, where Kahei is buried. Combining historical exhibits, hot springs, accommodation, sports facilities, and outdoor recreatio...»
Sumoto Onsen is a hot spring resort area in Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture, on Awaji Island. Surrounded by the island's natural beauty and overlooking the sea, it is a popular destination for travelers seeking relaxation, traditional Japanese bathing experiences, and a comfortable seaside getaway....»
Nada Kuroiwa Daffodil Garden is a famous flower-viewing destination in the Kuroiwa area of Minami-Awaji, on the southern part of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Known as one of Japan's three major wild daffodil colonies, it offers a remarkable landscape where millions of flowers bloom across the hillsides overlooking the Kii Channel. Spread across approximately seven hectares on the slopes exte...»
Keino Pine Grove is a scenic coastal landscape on the western side of Awaji Island, stretching from Matsuhofurutsuji to Matsuhokeino in Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Facing the Harima-nada Sea, this beautiful area is known for its sandy beach, extensive pine forest, and spectacular sunsets. It has been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government and is one of the island's ...»
Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park is a vast public park in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, offering beautiful natural scenery, family-friendly recreational areas, and spectacular views across the surrounding sea. The park attracts approximately two million visitors each year. It is particularly popular for its night scenery and star-filled skies, with scenic viewpoints overlooking the Akashi Kaikyo ...»
Sumoto Castle, also known as Mikuma Castle, stands on Mount Mikuma in Sumoto, on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Designated a National Historic Site of Japan, this castle played an important role in the region's history from the Sengoku period (Warring States period) through the Edo period. Although its original buildings have largely disappeared, the remains of its stone walls, baileys, turret ...»
Fukiagehama Beach is a scenic sandy beach in Ama-Fukiage, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Located at the southern end of Awaji Island, it is known for its beautiful coastline, coastal pine forest, and rich natural environment. The beach also gained recognition as a filming location for the NHK morning television drama Manpuku, attracting fans of the series as well as nature lovers and outdoor ...»
Benten Island is a small island in Anaga, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. The entire island has been developed as Maruyama Sea Fishing Park, a popular destination for anglers and visitors who want to enjoy the natural beauty of Awaji Island. With views across the Naruto Strait and well-equipped fishing facilities, it offers an enjoyable outdoor experience in a scenic coastal setting....»
Eshima Island is a small, uninhabited island located off Iwaya in Awaji City, at the northern tip of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Known for its striking natural rock formations and rich cultural heritage, it is recognized as part of a Japan Heritage story and designated as a scenic spot by Awaji City. Despite its small size, Eshima has long captured the imagination of visitors and poets, maki...»
Mount Senzan is a 448-meter-high mountain in central Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. Located in the Kaminai Zen area of Sumoto City, it is the highest peak of the Senzan mountain range. Known as the “Mount Fuji of Awaji” because of its graceful, symmetrical appearance, the mountain is celebrated for its scenic views, religious traditions, and deep connections with Japanese mythology....»
Awaji Puppet Theatre is a performance venue in Fukura, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to Awaji Ningyo Joruri, a traditional form of Japanese puppet theater. The theater also serves as an organization responsible for preserving and performing this distinctive art form. Through regular performances and cultural activities, it plays an important role in passing the island's theatrical ...»
Hachijoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Awaji City, on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. It belongs to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism, and its mountain name is Rendaisan. The temple's principal image is Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. With centuries of history and a strong tradition of religious devotion, Hachijoji continues to welcome worshippers and...»
Narugashima is a long, narrow island in the Kitan Strait, off the eastern coast of Yura in Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its distinctive sandbar stretches approximately 2.5 kilometers from north to south, creating a striking coastal landscape that has earned it the nickname “Awaji Hashidate,” after the famous Amanohashidate sandbar in northern Kyoto Prefecture. The island forms part of Setonaikai...»
Onokorojima Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Minamiawaji City on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. Also commonly known as Onokoro-jima Shrine, it is associated with the ancient Japanese creation myth and attracts worshippers seeking blessings for love, marriage, and safe childbirth....»
Nushima Island is a picturesque island in Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, in the northwestern part of the Kii Channel. Located approximately 4.6 kilometers south of Awaji Island, it forms part of Setonaikai National Park. The island covers 2.71 square kilometers, has a coastline of 9.53 kilometers, and reaches a maximum elevation of 117.2 meters. As of the end of May 2023, its population was 3...»
Gokokuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple of the Koyasan Shingon school, located in Kashu Hachiman, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kashuzan, and its principal image is Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha. With its long history, valuable cultural properties, and celebrated traditional garden, the temple offers visitors a tranquil place to discover the religious and cult...»
A Regional Favorite Celebrating the Flavors of Awaji Island Awajishima Burger is a popular local specialty made with an abundance of ingredients grown and produced on Awaji Island, a naturally rich island in the Seto Inland Sea in Hyogo Prefecture. Known for its fresh, flavorful ingredients and generous portions, this distinctive burger has become a favorite among both local residents and visitor...»
A Seasonal Specialty Combining Sweet Awaji Onions with Delicate Conger Eel Hamo suki is one of Awaji Island’s signature regional dishes, bringing together two of the area’s most prized ingredients: fresh conger eel, known in Japanese as hamo, and the island’s famously sweet onions. This comforting hot pot showcases the natural bounty of the surrounding seas and fertile farmland, creating a dish r...»
Hyogo Prefecture’s Beloved Springtime Specialty Ikana-go no kugini is a traditional Japanese dish enjoyed along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, particularly in Hyogo Prefecture. It is made by simmering young sand lance fish, known as ikanago, in a sweet-and-savory mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and ginger until the liquid is reduced and the fish becomes richly flavored. The name kugini comes fro...»
Hyogo Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading fishing areas for ikanago, a small marine fish traditionally enjoyed as a seasonal delicacy. Fresh ikanago is prepared in a variety of ways, including dried whitebait and the famous local dish called ikanago no kugini, in which young fish are simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. Freshly boiled ikanago, served straight from the pot, is especially deliciou...»
Three-Year Torafugu is a premium tiger pufferfish raised in the waters off Fukura Bay on the southern coast of Awaji Island, near the Naruto Strait. Nurtured for three years in conditions designed to resemble its natural marine environment, this exceptional fish is prized for its rich flavor, firm texture, satisfying bite, and deep umami. The powerful currents of the Naruto Strait help create an i...»
Hamo, or pike conger eel, is one of Awaji Island's most celebrated seasonal foods and a traditional taste of summer in Japan. Its main season runs from June through September. The fish is known for its delicate white flesh, which combines a light, refined flavor with natural sweetness, richness, and a satisfying amount of fat. Local tradition holds that hamo becomes especially flavorful after the ...»
Amagarei is the local name used on Awaji Island for makogarei, a type of Japanese flounder prized for its thick, delicate flesh and pronounced natural sweetness. Its amber-colored meat is especially popular among local seafood lovers, making it one of the island's distinctive seafood specialties....»
Awaji Beef is a regional beef brand associated with Tajima cattle born and raised on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Known for its fine-grained, tender meat and concentrated flavor, it is a prized local specialty that reflects the island’s long tradition of cattle breeding. To qualify for the Awaji Beef designation, the cattle must be born and raised on Awaji Island, processed at the island’s d...»
Cape Matsuhozaki is a coastal headland in Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, facing the Akashi Strait. Located at the northernmost tip of Awaji Island, it lies near the northwestern edge of Osaka Bay and the eastern end of the Harima-nada Sea. The area offers views of the strait and the impressive Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which connects Awaji Island with the mainland....»
Fukimodoshi Village is a unique visitor facility in Kawachi, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, where visitors can learn about and make their own fukimodoshi, a traditional Japanese party whistle. Operated by a manufacturer of these colorful toys, the facility offers a fun, interactive experience for families, tourists, and anyone curious about Japanese toy-making traditions. Visitors can discover the ...»
Awaji Farm Park England Hill is a spacious agricultural and recreational park in Minamiawaji City, on the southern part of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Visitors can see koalas and other animals, admire seasonal flowers, and take part in hands-on activities such as bread-making and ice cream-making. Seasonal harvesting experiences also provide opportunities to learn about agriculture while enj...»