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 Bridge and the city of Kobe.
Development of Awajishima Park began in 1977, and part of the park opened to the public in 1985. The initial open area covers approximately 87.2 hectares, while the planned total area extends to 148.8 hectares. Set among the rolling hills of northern Awaji Island, the park provides an expansive green space where visitors can enjoy the island’s natural beauty throughout the seasons.
The park is managed by the Awaji Flower Expo Memorial Association. Its elevated location offers sweeping views from the Akashi Strait toward Osaka Bay, making it an attractive destination for sightseeing, outdoor recreation, and relaxing in nature. Together with nearby facilities such as Awaji Yumebutai and Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, it forms part of the Awaji Island International Park City development.
Access is convenient by express bus, and free shuttle buses are also available on certain routes, making the park easy to visit without a car.
Awajishima Park is divided into four main zones: the Awaji Highway Oasis Zone, the Forest Zone, the Recreation Zone, and the Grassland and Flower Zone. Each area offers a different atmosphere, from convenient dining and shopping facilities to woodland walks, children’s playgrounds, and open lawns.
The Awaji Highway Oasis Zone opened in April 1998, coinciding with the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Directly connected to the Awaji Service Area on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, it is a convenient stop for travelers crossing the bridge or exploring northern Awaji Island.
The zone includes Hanano Tani, or the Valley of Flowers, where flowering plants and trees create a pleasant place to relax. At the Oasis Hall, an atrium forms the central space, surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and a large shop selling local specialties and souvenirs. It is an ideal place to enjoy a meal, take a break, and discover the flavors and products of Awaji Island.
The Forest Zone preserves areas of woodland in a largely natural state. Walking trails lead through the trees to several outdoor spaces, including a forest clearing, a valley known for its hydrangeas, scenic viewpoints, and a multipurpose field.
The multipurpose field can be used free of charge and is suitable for picnics, sports, and other outdoor activities. Advance reservations are required for its use. This zone is especially appealing to visitors who want to enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by greenery.
The Recreation Zone lies around Showa Pond and features extensive facilities for children and families. The Tree Playground includes large play structures, while the Water Playground offers water-based activities. Popular attractions include a long roller slide, a pirate-fort-style play structure, water guns, and hand-operated water pumps.
A spacious lawn covering approximately 12.5 hectares opened in 2004, providing plenty of room for families to relax, play games, and enjoy the outdoors. The combination of playgrounds and open space makes this zone one of the park’s main destinations for visitors with children.
The Grassland and Flower Zone opened in April 2011. It features open grasslands where visitors can see plants native to Awaji Island, along with landscaped areas designed to highlight the surrounding natural environment.
Facilities include an observation deck, a lawn area of approximately 0.7 hectares, a symbolic stone monument celebrating friendship between Japan and France, and a tree-lined path featuring mountain cherry trees. The open landscape offers opportunities to unwind, appreciate seasonal flowers, and enjoy views of the surrounding hills.
Within Awajishima Park is Nijigen no Mori, an interactive entertainment park that opened on July 15, 2017. Its attractions combine the natural forest setting with experiences inspired by Japanese manga, anime, and video games. Rather than being a conventional indoor theme park, Nijigen no Mori uses the park’s outdoor environment to create immersive adventures for visitors of different ages.
Night Walk Phoenix opened on July 15, 2017, offering an evening experience inspired by the manga and anime world of Phoenix.
Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park also opened on July 15, 2017. It brings the popular Japanese comedy character Crayon Shin-chan into an outdoor adventure setting.
NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-Zato opened on April 20, 2019. Based on the Naruto and Boruto series, this attraction immerses visitors in the world of ninja adventures.
Godzilla Interception Operation: National Awaji Island Institute of Godzilla opened on October 10, 2020. This attraction lets visitors experience a fictional mission centered on the famous giant monster Godzilla.
Dragon Quest Island: The Beginning of the Adventure with the Great Demon King Zoma opened on April 29, 2021. Inspired by the Dragon Quest role-playing game series, it offers an adventure in which visitors enter a fantasy world and take part in a quest.
Because the attractions have their own themes and activities, visitors can choose experiences that match their interests. Those planning to visit Nijigen no Mori should check the individual attraction details and admission arrangements before traveling.
Express buses provide convenient access to the park. Visitors can get off at either the Awaji Highway Oasis (Nijigen no Mori) stop or the Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park (Nijigen no Mori F Parking Lot) stop, depending on their route.
By car, the park is accessible from the Awaji Interchange on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. From the interchange, the park entrance is approximately 600 meters away. A free shuttle bus also operates from the area near Iwaya Port and the Awaji Interchange express-bus stop, providing another convenient way to reach the park.
Access is also possible via ordinary roads. From National Route 28, follow Hyogo Prefectural Route 157, the Sano-Nii-Iwaya Line, or head west from the Minamiuzaki intersection on National Route 28. The opening of the Awaji-Kita Smart Interchange on March 20, 2020, further improved access to the northern part of the island.
Several major attractions are located near Awajishima Park, making it easy to plan a full day of sightseeing in northern Awaji Island. Awaji Yumebutai is an architectural complex designed by Tadao Ando, while the Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center and the Awaji Green House offer additional cultural and botanical experiences.
Other nearby destinations include the Westin Awaji Island Resort and Conference Center, the Hundred-Step Garden (Hyakudanen), Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Koryu no Tsubasa Port, and the Awaji Landscape Planning and Horticulture Academy.
Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park combines panoramic sea views, woodland trails, seasonal flowers, spacious lawns, and family-friendly playgrounds in one extensive natural setting. The adjoining Nijigen no Mori adds a distinctive entertainment experience inspired by Japanese popular culture. Whether you want to admire the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, relax outdoors, explore the forest, or enjoy an interactive adventure, the park offers a rewarding way to experience the diverse attractions of Awaji Island.