You will receive a free quarterly E-mail Newsletter! Ryokan & Restaurants in Hyogo which are English-friendly. Guided Tours Available by volunteers in Hyogo Translation Service is also available. City of Awaji [Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park] When the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake hit this area on January 17, 1995, an active fault of 10 kilometers appeared in the earth. The Park preserves and displays the fault as it was to visitors. A house under which the fault crosses is on a display, showing the horror of the earthquake. Open 9:00 – 17:00 Closed Wednesday (when national holidays fall on Wednesday, closed the following Thursday) (Open everyday Spring Vacation, Golden Week in April to May, Summer Vacation) Admission ¥500 for Adult. TEL:0799-82-3020 A 15 minute ride by express bus from JR Maiko Station to Iwaya-ko bus stop, where you change buses. From there and a 20 minute ride by Awaji Kotsu Bus to Shinsai Kinen Koen Mae Bus Stop. The Top of This Page [Country Mate Pasture] Located on the greenery hills of northern Awaji, the pasture is surrounded by a wonderful natural environment. Visitors can enjoy riding horses and playing tennis. The pasture provides visitors with a good chance to be in close contact with ostriches, llamas and prairie dogs as well as rabbits and sheep. One can also enjoy a meal of Awaji beef, barbecue and so on. Cottages where visitors may stay overnight are available. Open 10:00 – 19:00 (10:00 – 17:00 between November and March) Closed Tuesday (when national holidays fall on Tuesday, closed the following Wednesday.) Admission ¥500 for Adult. Drive the prefectural road of No.157 south-west for 10 minutes from Awaji Interchange on the Kobe Awaji Naruto toll road. TEL:0799-82-2953 The Top of This Page [Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo Park] Opened in commemoration of Japan Flora 2000 which was held here, the Park is surrounded by beautiful seasonal flowers and greenery. There is also another on this site called Awaji Yumebutai. Open 9:30 – 18:00 (April 1 – August 31) 9:30 – 17:00 (September 1 – October 31) 9:30 – 16:30 (November 1 – the end of February) 9:30 – 17:00 (March 1 – 31) (The last admission one hour and a half before closing.) Closed December 31 – January 1 The first Monday and Tuesday of Feburary Admission ¥400 for Adult. Combined ticket with the greenhouse of Yumebutai is ¥600 for Adult. A 60 minute express bus ride from Sannomiya to Yumebutai-mae bus stop. A 25 minute express bus ride form JR Maiko Station to Yumebutai-mae bus stop. TEL:0799-72-2000 The Top of This Page [Hot Spring MATSUHO-NO-SATO] Both of the two out-door baths command a splendid view of the world's longest suspension bridge, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. One bath is a Japanese style bath and the other is Western style used by women and men in turn. Open 11:00 – 22:00 (The last admission is 21:00) Closed the first Thursday of every month Bathing ¥700 for Adult. A 5 minute drive by car from Awaji Interchange. TEL:0799-73-2333 The Top of This Page [Hot Spring Iwaya Onsen Kaikan] Conveniently located near the Iwaya Port, the north access point from the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Open 13:00 – 20:00 (June 1 – September 30) 13:00 – 19:00 (October 1 – May 31) Closed Tuesday Bathing ¥560 for Adult Reached shortly from Awaji Interchange. The Top of This Page [Prefectural Awajishima Park] An ideal sightseeing spot commanding a panorama mainly of Akashi Strait Bridge. It has a plaza, athletic field facility, observation terrace, etc., and is connected to the "Awaji Highway Oasis." The Top of This Page ["Michi-no-eki (Highway Rest Area) Awaji" Matsuho Anchorage Park] Not only is the latest road and tourist information available here but there is also a restaurant that serves food using special products of Awaji. The adjacent park commands a majestic view of the bridge, and allows you a relaxing visit. 9:00 – 22:00 (facilities only), closed 3rd Thursday 10 minutes by car from Awaji Interchange. The Top of This Page [MIZU-MIDO (Water Temple, Buddhism)] Mizumido, the main hall of Honpuku Temple of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism, is situated under a pool where water lilies bloom from early summer. Visitors step downward to the main hall through the walkway which devides the pond. When the sunset blazes inside the hall in shades of scarlet, you can really feel the Land of Perfect Bliss of Buddhism. TEL:0799-74-3624 9:00 – 17:00 Open everyday. Adult ¥300 Take an express bus, Awaji Kotsu, Honshikaikyo Bus and JR West Bus from the Kosoku Maiko bus stop at JR Maiko Station to Higashiura Bus Terminal for ¥600. Take the Awaji Kotsu Bus bound for Iwaya to Tateishikawa, 3 minutes, ¥150. 10 minutes walk to the temple. Parking is available for 30 cars. The Top of This Page [Awaji Flower Gallery] Located on the northern hills that roll gently down to the Seto Inland Sea, the 15 hectare field teems with beautiful seasonal flowers. Open daily except the year-end and New Year. 9:00 – 17:00 Free admission and parking. A 10 minute ride by taxi from Higashiura Bus Terminal. The Top of This Page [Awaji Yume Butai (Awaji Island Project)] An amphitheater, a greenhouse, various gardens, plazas, an international conference center and a hotel are arranged in the area where earth was gouged out and used to fill a huge landfill site to construct Kansai International Airport,you will be amazed at the shell water plaza where more than a million scallop shells were embedded in the bottom of the pool. The plan was partly changed after the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake hit in 1995. The concept after that was reset as "a symbol of rebirth." An additional plan, a large square-grid-terrace of flower gardens, "the 100 Step Garden," serves to calm the souls of those who lost their lives in the disaster. The adjacent park is Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo Park in Awaji-cho. A 20 minute ride from JR Sannomiya Station to Maiko Station. Take the Kosoku Bus from Kosoku Maiko to Awaji Yumebutai, the ride takes 20 minutes. Direct buses are available from Sannomiya to Awaji Yumebutai, a 60 minute ride. The Top of This Page [HIGASHIURA SUNPARK] The Higashiura Sunpark is a facility complex which has a hot spring, "HANANOYU", accommodation, a hall, a restaurant, a gymnasium, a hall for martial arts and a playfield for tennis, football, baseball and softball. TEL:0799-74-5800 / FAX:0799-74-5754 The Top of This Page [Higashiura Spa HANANOYU] A natural hot spring, “Higashiura Spa, HANANOYU” is an excellent hot spring that is pumped from 1,300 meters below the volcanic rock layer of granite made 100 million years ago. The Spa contains sodium bicarbonate which is the same element that can be found in one of the best three hot springs of Ryujin Onsen, in Wakayama prefecture, which is said to promote smooth skin. The Spa has four open-air bathes, two in-door bathes and one bath for walking while bathing. The courtesy car picks visitors up at the bus stop on their request in advance from 9:00 to 17:00. Open 11:00 – 22:00 (The last admission is 21:00) Closed the second Tuesday of every month Bathing ¥500 for Adult. Book Coupon of 12 tickets for ¥5,000 for Adult. Year Pass for ¥40,000 for Adult. TEL:0799-74-0101 Take an express bus from JR Maiko Station bound for Oiso-ko and get off at Higashiura bus terminal. The Top of This Page [KUNJU-DO] Ichinomiya-cho produces about 70 percent turnout of all incense sticks in Japan. Visitors can see the incense stick making process at the factory of Kunju-do with more than 100 year history. You can make incense as well (500yen). Reservation is required in advance. Open 10:00 – 16:00 Closed New Year and Bon holidays 10 minute ride by car from Tsuna Ichinomiya Interchange to Gunke. TEL:0799-85-1301 The Top of This Page [PARCHEZ] PARCHEZ has two facilities, one is "Kaori-no-Yakata" where visitors can try to make wreaths and potpourri as well as to enjoy meal at a restaurant. The other is " Kaori-no-Yu", a facility where visitors can take a natural hot spring bath and stay overnight. Kaori-no-Yakata Closed the first Tuesday except January, May and August Open:8:30-17:15 (Enter by 16:30) 8:30-18:15 (on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) Potpourri Class 8:30 – 17:15 (The last admission is 16:00) Aroma Therapy 8:30 – 17:15 (The last admission is 16:30) Closed the first Tuesday (except January, May and August) TEL:0799-85-1162 Kaori-no-Yu (Natural Hot Spring) Open 11:00 – 22:00 (The last admission is 21:00) Bathing ¥600 for Adult. TEL:0799-85-1126 Take the express bus from JR Maiko Station bound for Fukura to To-oda bus stop. A 5 minute ride by taxi. The Top of This Page [Izanagi Shrine] Izanagi and Izanami, the two legendary deities who are said to have produced the many islands that make up Japan, are enshrined here. According to the legend, Awaji Island was created first among the many islands. Free Admission. 5 minutes by car from Tsuna Ichinomiya Interchange. TEL:0799-80-5001 The Top of This Page [Awaji World Park ONOKORO] With the theme of "having fun with the world," the park is divided into 6 areas including a "miniature world" as the main area where famous buildings and archaeological sites of the world such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Buckingham Palace are reproduced at 1:25 scale. There are many other attractions such as the island's largest ferris wheel, which provides fun for children and Adult alike. Open 9:30 – 17:30 (17:00 November - February) Admission ¥1,200 for Adult. Closed Wednesday, the latter half of January A 20 minute ride by Awaji Kotsu Bus from Sumoto Bus Terminal to Awaji World Park ONOKORO. TEL:0799-62-1192 The Top of This Page Hyogo Tourism Association Hyogo Prefectural Government Bldg. No.1,5-10-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Postal Code:650-8567 Tel:078-361-7661 Fax:078-361-7662 e-mail: