TID Travel Journal "FLOWER ISLAND, NORTHERN AWAJI (Flower, taste and walking)"
By TID, Spring 2005 update

The moment I arrived at Awaji island through Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (Pearl Bridge), I felt there an another world. Panoramic view of blue sea and unbounded nature gave me a warm welcome. Roads are wide, and at the both of which, big parks; Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park and Awaji Island Park, stretch with various kinds of flowers.

Five years ago, Japan Flora 2000 (flower festival) was held in Northern Awaji. And now, after 5 years, this project is still continued. The mind of this project made Awaji the flower island. That's why you can enjoy the sweet air and the beautiful seasonal flowers any time.

FLOWER The Miracle Planet Museum of Plants (Awaji Yumebutai)

First, I introduce you a wonderful botanical garden, The Miracle Planet Museum of Plants, on the large round of Awaji Yumebutai where was the main stage of Japan Flora 2000. This botanical garden was built under the concept that we should gaze the nature, and know beautifulness and wonderfulness of plants so that we can notice the importance of our miracle planet, the earth. It is a large greenhouse with the widths of 6,700 m².

Just when I visited there, fortunately the orchid show was being held. I could enjoy rare and precious orchids from all over the world.

The garden has one big event room and five exhibition rooms with their own theme.

1. Plants gallery

– Succulent plants at the dry lands.

2. Tropical garden

– summer garden arranged by colorful leaves and tropical flowers.

3. New lifestyle with plants

– Japanese style garden mixed flowers and greens.

4. Healing garden

– Garden with the theme of healing and health, enjoying the plants' smell and color.

5. Flower show space

– Big event room changed its display depend on a season or a theme.Wedding and party are held here, too.

Access:	Take an express bus from Kosoku Maiko to Awaji Yumebutai
Address:	Yumebutai 4, Awaji
Tel:	0799-74-1200

TASTE Hachikuan

Hachikuan, which is near Iwaya port, is a Japanese style seafood restaurant. You can taste fresh seafood landed at the Inland Sea, such as sea breams, flatfishes and octopuses, depend on seasons. I ate Onokoro Gozen, a Japanese traditional meal set with sea bream sashimi, tempura, boiled food, and rice and miso soup. I could enjoy various tastes of dishes.

Access:	Take an express bus from Kosoku Maiko to Iwaya Port, 2 minutes walk.
Address:	Iwaya 923, Awaji
Tel:	0799-72-3308 or 0120-72-3308(Free dial)

WALKING Hokudan-cho Earthquake Memorial Park

After delicious lunch, I went toward Hokudan-cho Earthquake Park. It took about 25 minutes to go there by bus. This park was built to hand down our experience and memories of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake to people of future generation. It contains Nojima Fault Preservation Museum, a seminar house (library), a wind power plant, a restaurant and a souvenir shop. You can observe and learn the real (not replica) Nojima fault that caused the big earthquake and the inside of a real house that was damaged by the earthquake, at Nojima fault Preservation Museum. And besides, you can experience simulation of the earthquake measuring 7 on the Japanese seismic scale, same as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. This fault has attracted attention both domestically and internationally, and become a great educationsl tool.
At the end, I introduce you a big electric windmill in this Park. Its size and roar will surprise you. It is 59.9 m tall and can produce electricity of 600 kw/h maximum. It is produced at the concept that an earthquake is the ferocity of nature (negative), but wind power generation is the blessing of nature (positive).

Access:	Take an express bus from Kosoku Maiko to Iwaya Port, change to Awaji Kotsu bus to Earthquake Park (25 minutes), 5 minutes walk
Address:	Ogura 177, Awaji
Tel:	0799-82-3020