Awaji Island sits between Japan’s main island and Shikoku, making it the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Surrounded by fast-moving tides, the waters here are famous for top-quality seafood like sea bream, octopus, and conger eel.

On land, the island is equally blessed—its sweet onions are renowned across Japan, while Awaji beef, Awaji pork, three-year-raised red sea bream, and Awaji rice make it a true foodie paradise.

The island is divided into three cities: Awaji in the north, Sumoto in the center, and Minamiawaji in the south.

Awaji City connects to Osaka and Kobe via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, making it a lively resort hub filled with attractions and facilities.

Sumoto, once a castle town, is now the island’s main center with plenty of ryokan and hotels clustered around its hot springs.

Minamiawaji, linked to Shikoku by the Onaruto Bridge, is home to natural wonders like the Naruto whirlpools, breathtaking sunsets, and the 500-year-old art of Awaji Ningyo Joruri (traditional puppet theater).

With thriving farms, fisheries, and dairies, it’s also where you’ll find some of the island’s best food.

Awaji has no airport or train station, so buses and cars are the main options.

・From Osaka/Kobe: Cross the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge; ferries also run from the Akashi area.
・From Kansai Airport: The Limousine Bus goes directly to the island. Travel time: 90 minutes to Awaji Interchange, two hours to Sumoto Bus Center.
・From JR Osaka Station: Express buses take about 90 minutes to Nijigen no Mori, two hours to Sumoto Bus Center.
・From JR Kobe Station: Express buses run from JR Kobe Station. Travel time: about 90 minutes.

Getting around Awaji Island
Without a car, plan routes from key bus stops in advance; some hotels provide shuttles.
・Within Awaji City and Sumoto, loop-line buses are convenient.
・For longer trips, taxis or rentals are best. Sightseeing taxi plans (5 or 8 hours) are also available.
・Cyclists can enjoy the 150-km Awaichi circuit, with English route guides and itineraries featuring attractions, hot springs, and dining spots.

Right after crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge onto Awaji Island, you’ll find Awaji Highway Oasis, a popular stop that links directly with the island’s northbound and southbound service areas. Visitors can move freely between the three facilities, making it a fun and convenient spot to explore.

Famous as a foodie haven, Awaji Highway Oasis ranked No. 2 in the 2019 “SA/PA Gourmet Ranking” (Airtrip survey). With its mix of local specialties, shops, and rest areas, it’s one of the most well-known stops for travelers driving into Awaji Island.

You’ll find everything from sushi made with fresh Awaji ingredients to handmade Italian pasta, plus a wide range of Japanese and Western favorites. Burgers, beef bowls, udon—the choices are almost overwhelming! Menus are in Japanese only, but they come with mouthwatering photos, so it’s easy to order just by pointing. Credit cards are widely accepted, making dining here stress-free.

Since the facility is set within a large park, sunny days are perfect for a leisurely stroll through colorful flower fields, across wide grassy lawns, or out to the viewing terrace overlooking the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

Anime fans from around the world flock to Nijigen no Mori, an outdoor theme park inside Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park. Here you can step into the worlds of Japan’s most beloved series, including Dragon Quest, Naruto and Boruto, Godzilla, and Crayon Shin-chan. With sprawling grounds and interactive attractions, it’s one of Awaji Island’s most exciting spots for families and pop culture lovers alike.

Getting there is easy by limousine bus from Osaka Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport. Simply get off at the “Highway Oasis Nijigen no Mori Entrance” or Awaji IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. Direct highway buses are also available from Kobe’s lively Sannomiya district.

Nijigen no Mori is huge, and one day is not enough to enjoy all the attractions, restaurants, and exclusive merchandise that draw visitors here.

Admission is free, but tickets are required for individual attractions such as the life-sized Godzilla ride “Godzilla Intercept Operation.” Same-day tickets are sometimes available, though numbers may be limited, so it’s best to book online in advance.

Since the park covers a wide area, you’ll need to use either the paid tram that connects the attractions or the free bus that loops around Awaji’s west coast. Check the official website for details. Multilingual support is also provided: guide maps are available in English, Chinese, and Korean, signs include English, and staff can speak basic English.

Beloved worldwide, Hello Kitty has fans of all ages, and at HELLO KITTY SMILE you can meet a one-of-a-kind version of her as Otohime, the princess of Ryugu Castle. Even international Hello Kitty fans make special trips here! Visitors can snap photos with Hello Kitty, dine in stylish themed restaurants, and shop for exclusive goods—truly a paradise for Hello Kitty lovers.

Just a three-minute free shuttle ride away is HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, a theater restaurant where you can enjoy both dining and a Hello Kitty performance at the same time.

From Osaka, take a highway bus to the Awaji IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, then hop on the free shuttle bus (about 10 minutes). From Kobe’s Sannomiya area, a paid sightseeing bus runs directly along Awaji’s west coast with no transfers needed. Drivers can use the free parking lot on-site.

Nearby you’ll also find the quirky HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE, shaped like a giant apple, complete with a 360-degree theater and observation deck. In fact, in July 2022, HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX and HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE were recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest rooftop character design and the world’s largest apple-shaped building. Seasonal events, English signage, and staff who can handle basic English make it an easy and enjoyable visit for international guests.

The practice of Zen began about 2,500 years ago with the Buddha in India and was introduced to Japan around 700 years ago. Samurai once used zazen meditation to calm their minds amid daily battles, and today, meditation, mindfulness, and other Zen-based practices are embraced worldwide as a way to release stress and seek balance.

Opened in April 2022, Zenbo Seinei offers programs that combine Zen meditation, yoga, and gentle cuisine designed to restore both body and spirit. Visitors can choose between a four-hour day plan or an overnight stay, but advance reservations are required through the official website
(Japanese and English only).

Set in the northern part of Awaji Island, surrounded by mountains and sitting right on Japan’s meridian (135° east longitude), Zenbo Seinei features a 100-meter wooden corridor designed to showcase the surrounding natural beauty without obstruction. Guests can experience Zen meditation and yoga, then enjoy nourishing “Zenbo cuisine” such as rice porridge, tofu, and seasonal ingredients sourced from Awaji Island.

Many staff members speak English, so international visitors can feel at ease. By car, it takes about 40 minutes from Shin-Kobe Station or Kobe Airport, and only 5 minutes from the Awaji IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. For those using public transport, highway buses from Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal stop directly at “Zenbo Seinei” on the Kita-Awaji West Coast Line.

Awaji Yumebutai is a large resort complex with a conference center, hotel, greenhouse, restaurants, shops, and an outdoor theater. Built on land excavated during the construction of Kansai International Airport, it was designed to restore damaged nature and create a space where people, plants, and animals can coexist in harmony, blending modern architecture with the surrounding landscape.

Right next door is Awaji Island National Akashi Kaikyo Park (admission required), where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and greenery throughout the year.

Designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, Awaji Yumebutai features striking spaces such as the circular plaza, the Kuten garden, the Sea Corridor, and the Hill Corridor. Many visitors come not only for the facilities but also to admire the architecture itself, often wishing they had more time to explore every detail.

To welcome international visitors, Awaji Yumebutai provides guide pamphlets in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

From Kobe or Osaka, take the train and transfer to a bus at JR Sannomiya or JR Maiko Station. If you’d like to explore more of Tadao Ando’s architecture on Awaji Island—such as Honpukuji Temple or the resort hotel TOTO Seawind—renting a car is the most convenient option.

Located in the heart of Awaji Island, Sumoto Onsen is one of the island’s top sightseeing bases. Once the castle town below the Sumoto Castle Ruins atop Mt. Mikuma, it has grown into a popular hot spring resort. Along the coastline you’ll find everything from classic ryokan to large resort hotels, most with onsen baths. Many feature open-air tubs with ocean views and serve meals highlighting Awaji’s local ingredients—making it the perfect place to relax and indulge.

Many hotels in Sumoto Onsen welcome day visitors who just want to enjoy the baths without staying overnight. In summer, the area becomes especially lively as beachgoers flock to nearby Ohama Beach, adding to the resort’s atmosphere. With shrines, temples, and a retro shopping street nearby, Sumoto also offers a charming glimpse of old Japan.

Access is convenient: from JR Sannomiya Station in Kobe, a highway bus takes about 1.5 hours to Sumoto Bus Center, with some buses going directly to major hotels. By car, it’s about 10 minutes from the Sumoto IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway.

At Sumoto Bus Center, the tourist information office provides multilingual support, including guide pamphlets in foreign languages, English assistance, and real-time phone interpretation in 13 languages. Similar services are also available at Awaji SA, Iwaya, and Minami-Awaji tourist information offices.

Perched 235–298 meters above sea level in northern Awaji Island, Awaji Hanasajiki is a vast hillside flower garden where colorful blooms stretch across 15 hectares, creating a “carpet of flowers” that flows toward the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Osaka Bay. The name Hanasajiki comes from the word sajiki (festival seating), since the fields resemble tiered seats overlooking a grand show.

It’s about a 12-minute drive from the Awaji IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. Admission is free, though parking costs 200 yen per car. Spring and autumn are especially busy, making them the best seasons to visit.

The best way to enjoy Awaji Hanasajiki is to simply find a favorite spot, sit back, and relax while taking in the sweeping fields of flowers. Inside the park you’ll also find a café-restaurant and a shop selling local specialties. At the park office, English guide maps are available, and staff use translation devices (POCKETALK) to assist visitors in any language.

Awaji Ningyoza is dedicated to preserving Awaji Ningyo Joruri, a form of traditional puppet theater with a history of more than 500 years. Each puppet is brought to life by three puppeteers, accompanied by dramatic narration in the Gidayu style and the deep sounds of the shamisen, a uniquely Japanese string instrument. Recognized as a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, this performing art is one of Awaji Island’s cultural treasures.

In the past, there were around 40 puppet theaters across the island, but today Awaji Ningyoza is the only one that remains.

Awaji Ningyoza’s performances stay true to tradition while incorporating fresh ideas, making each show a rare and valuable cultural experience.

Visitors receive an English program and can use a free audio guide in English, Chinese, or Korean to better understand the performance. From the powerful tones of the Gidayu narration to the shamisen’s deep, emotional sound and the puppets’ delicate movements hidden within bold gestures, every detail is captivating.

The theater is about a 15-minute drive from the Seidan-Mihara IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. The on-site shop also sells popular souvenirs such as original hand towels, illustrated postcards, and incense.

Located right next to the Onaruto Bridge that connects Awaji Island with Shikoku, Roadside Station Uzushio is just a 5-minute drive from the Minami-Awaji IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. From its observation deck, you can see the Naruto Strait’s whirlpools up close—famous as among the largest in the world.

Minamiawaji’s brand-new Roadside Station Uzushio will officially reopen on October 19, 2025, after two years of temporary operations at Naruto Cape’s “Uzumachi Terrace.” Completely redesigned inside and out under the concept of “circulation,” the facility now features a rooftop observation deck with 360° views of the Naruto Strait and Onaruto Bridge. Inside you’ll find the “Uzu no Sachi” dining hall offering seasonal dishes year-round, an upgraded Awaji Island burger shop, a soft-serve stand specializing in Awaji milk, and a souvenir store with more than 1,000 items. The station’s mascot “Uzubo” also makes appearances, and visitors can enjoy character goods and even claw machines.

The highlight here is Awaji Island’s famous onion beef burger. The Awaji Island Onion Beef Burger took first place in its category at the 2013 Japan Burger Grand Prix, while the Awaji Island Onion Gratin Burger won second place in 2014. Both remain must-try local specialties.

Credit cards (JCB, VISA, MasterCard) and electronic payments like PayPay and Alipay are accepted.

Between Awaji Island and Shikoku lies the Naruto Strait, where tidal currents create dramatic whirlpools. Countless swirls form and vanish within seconds, offering a constantly changing natural spectacle. During the spring and autumn spring tides, the whirlpools can reach up to 20 meters in diameter, making them some of the largest in the world.

The Naruto Whirlpool Sightseeing Cruise lets you experience these powerful whirlpools up close. Tickets are available at the reception desk inside Fukura Port’s Uzushio-dome Nanairokan (1st floor of Roadside Station Fukura). Multilingual ticket machines support English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese, but same-day tickets depend on seat availability, so booking in advance via the official website is recommended (Japanese only).

Access is convenient: from the Seidan-Mihara IC on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, it’s about a 15-minute drive to Fukura Port. By car, the trip takes around 1 hour 20 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya and about 2 hours from Osaka Umeda.

Compared to Osaka or Kyoto, fewer travelers may have visited Awaji Island, but its rich history, culture, scenic beauty, and amazing food make it a perfect getaway spot. Even during the pandemic, new attractions opened across the island, so every trip feels like discovering somewhere new all over again.

Text by: Hifumi Itsui