Awaji Island is a popular resort destination in Japan’s Kansai region known for its abundant nature, hot springs, and local delicacies. In recent years, the island has had many foreign visitors due to opening anime theme parks such as Ningen no Mori and Hello Kitty Smile . Island visitors are also impressed with the quality of local cuisine and the beauty of Japan’s nature. Here we will introduce the top ten spots you can’t miss on a trip to Awaji Island!
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What’s Awaji Island Like?
Awaji Island is situated between mainland Japan and the Shikoku region-the smallest of Japan’s four major islands, and is the biggest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Surrounded by ocean on all four sides, it’s extremely abundant with seafood. The quality of seafood, such as sea bream, octopus, and pike conger, caught in ocean waters with a powerful current is recognized as some of the best in the country. Awaji Island is also known for its fertile farmland and onion production. It’s a treasure trove filled with delicacies where you can enjoy Awaji beef, Awaji pork, a brand of pufferfish bred for three years called Awaji Island Three-Year Pufferfish, and Awaji rice.
Starting from the north, the island is made up of three major cities; Awaji City, Sumoto City, and Minamiawaji City.
Awaji City is a developing resort city with great access to nearby tourist destinations including Osaka and Kobe. It also has sightseeing sites such as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. This bustling part of the island offers a range of attractions and resort facilities.
Sumoto City lies at the heart of the island and was once the castle town of Sumoto Castle. Sumoto Onsen is a large hot spring resort with many traditional inns and hotels. It’s a popular accommodation choice to book as a sightseeing base.
Minamiawaji City, located toward the south end of the island, is the southern entryway to Awaji and connects to the Shikoku region by way of the Onarauto Bridge. The city has both natural and cultural attractions including the Naruto Strait-one of the world's three largest tidal currents famous for its whirlpools, beautiful nightscapes, and the and the 500-year-old Awaji Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theater. Additionally, it supports Awaji Island’s food culture through fishing and various kinds of farming such as dairy farming.
How to Access Awaji Island
The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. Photo taken from the ferry that goes from Akashi Port to Awaji Island’s Iwaya Port.
●How to Get There from Osaka, Kobe, and Kansai International Airport
Awaji Island doesn’t have an airport or train station, so a …
