The Awaji area! Introducing everything from famous, must-visit destinations to recommended gourmet, souvenirs, and experiences
Awaji Island lies in the south of Hyogo Prefecture, between Honshu and Shikoku. This warm island, with blue seas and lush nature, boasts plenty of local gourmet dishes and sightseeing spots. You can easily enjoy a resort-like feeling here, so it’s no wonder that it’s become popular in recent years.
INDEX
Show More
- What kind of place is the Awaji area?
- Definite must-visits! Popular tourist spots in the Awaji area
- Awaji Island’s specialty products and recommended gourmet
- Buy it here! Signature and popular souvenir recommendations: Our 12 selections
- Souvenir spot (1) Awaji Highway Oasis
- Popular souvenirs from Awaji Highway Oasis: Our six selections
- Souvenir spot (2) Michi-no-eki Uzushio
- Popular souvenirs from Michi-no-eki Uzushio: Our six selections
- Activities and experiences unique to Awaji Island
- Summary
What kind of place is the Awaji area?
Awaji Island is easily accessed from Honshu by crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. It is home to a magnificent natural world, surrounded by the sea, but also offers plenty of other highlights, including an anime and movie theme park and the streets of Sumoto, which retain their historic scenery. Gourmet treats such as Awaji Island brand Awaji beef and Awaji Island onions are not to be missed. Here, we share many of the appeals of Awaji Island, which can’t be covered in a single day!
Definite must-visits! Popular tourist spots in the Awaji area
- Awaji Yumebutai
- Awaji Yumebutai is a facility complex created by Tadao Ando, an architect that has captivated the world. Its buildings exist in …
- See More
- Awaji Hanasajiki
- Awaji Hanasajiki is a prefectural park located on the hills of the northern part of Awaji Island, a gently sloping highland that…
- See More
- Nijigen no Mori Theme Park
- Nijigen no Mori, in Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, is a unique theme park where you can experience a world of anime and game…
- See More
- Hello Kitty Smile
- Standing in a location with sweeping views of the beautiful Harimanada Sea and its sunsets, this facility offers creative cuisine made using local Awaji Island ingredients and a place where visitors can enjoy the world of Hello Kitty.
- See More
- Parchez
- Around 100 different herbs grow inside this facility, and on its grounds you’ll find a huge greenhouse and the Large Farm where you can have a go at picking flowers. You can learn about the history of scents in the fragrance display area, and enjoy fragrant hand-making experiences, including creating herbariums, gel candles, and perfumes.
- See More
- Izanagi Jingu Shrine
- Izanagi Jingu Shrine worships the married deities of creation, and is said to be one of Japan’s oldest shrines. The Meoto-Ookusu (“Husband and Wife Great Camphor Tree”), a 900-year-old sacred tree that stands in its grounds, has attracted attention as a power spot that blesses marriage and matrimonial happiness.
- See More
- Sumoto Castle Ruins
- If you’d like to make the most of the wonderful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea, why not head to Sumoto Castle Ruins, the symbol …
- See More
- Uzushio Cruise
- In the Naruto Strait, where the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, the tidal differences create variations in the sea levels, and the rush of the tides into the strait, with its unique topography, create whirlpools. An Uzushio Cruise takes you near some of the world’s largest whirlpools with skillful handling, aiming for the junction where the two currents meet—said to be the fastest part of the straits of Japan.
- See More
Awaji Island’s specialty products and recommended gourmet
Awaji Island, surrounded by the Seto Inland Sea and abundant nature, is a treasure trove of gourmet ingredients—not only fresh seafood but also livestock, vegetables, and fruits. From local rice-bowl meals to Michelin-starred restaurants, why not compare the superb menus unique to this island?
- 1. Awaji Island gyudon (beef bowl)
- The rule when making this dish is to use Awaji Island beef, onions, and rice. From the classic to the creative, each eatery offers its own original gyudon.
- See More
- 2. Awaji Island burgers
- Discover the local burgers, wonderfully individual and carefully made with local ingredients for local consumption, including Awaji Island onions, lettuce, and abundant seafood.
- See More
- 3. Awaji Island nama shirasu (raw whitebait)
- This is Awaji Island’s branded nama shirasu. Limited to the period between late April and late November each year, this is a gourmet ingredient that's all about the freshness.
- See More
- 4. Awaji Island nama sawara don (raw Spanish mackerel rice bowl)
- Raw Spanish mackerel is famous as the food of the fishermen of the Goshiki area. The mackerel that go bad quickly are served raw as sashimi or seared as tataki—a treat unique to Awaji Island.
- See More
- 5. Awaji Island cherry salmon
- Cherry salmon (sakuramasu) carefully reared in the abundant ocean environment of Fukura Bay has a fine flavor that is as great as that of wild fish.
- See More
- 6. Awaji Island noodles
- This is a new local gourmet dish that combines long, fat, chewy noodles made using Awaji Island’s hand-stretched somen noodle techniques with Awaji Island’s local ingredients.
- See More
Buy it here! Signature and popular souvenir recommendations: Our 12 selections
Awaji Island offers an abundant variety of souvenirs, ranging from gourmet treats made with fresh ingredients to local goods. Here, we introduce the five most popular souvenirs from Awaji Highway Oasis and Michi-no-eki Uzushio, convenient locations for a quick visit.
Souvenir spot (1) Awaji Highway Oasis
Awaji Highway Oasis is a landmark of Awaji Island with sweeping views of the magnificent Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Seto Inland Sea. It houses restaurants, cafes, a BBQ house, local product shops, and more. Make the most of shopping and gourmet here.
Popular souvenirs from Awaji Highway Oasis: Our six selections
- Onion soup
- ・A popular product with cumulative sales exceeding 70 million servings.
・Boasts extraordinary popularity, even on Awaji Island itself.
・The richness and sweetness of the Awaji Island onions is wonderfully addictive, leading to repeat customers.
・It has a consommé flavor, created using onions grown on Awaji Island. It also has fragrant fried onions.
・Delicious onion extract is concentrated to create this powdered onion soup, both flavorful and easy to eat. 
- Onion dressing
- ・This dressing contains sautéed Awaji Island onions, and is full of umami deliciousness.
・A refreshing acidity is added to the umami taste of the onions, creating a dressing brimming with the quality of the ingredients. 
- Awaji Island seasoned nori (seaweed)
- ・This product offers a rich salty-sweet taste.
・With a great fragrance, plenty of umami flavor, and tear-resistant crispness, it's popular as a nori for onigiri (rice balls). 
- Awaji Beer
- ・This is Awaji Island’s sole craft beer, and offers a taste you’ll only find in a handmade product created with careful attention to detail.
・It's made without heat treatment or filtering, so you can enjoy the unaltered flavor of the living yeast.
・Carefully created with beer’s essential depth of flavor and rich scent, Awaji Beer characteristically complements all kinds of dishes.
・It's won awards in multiple beer contests.
・It comes in seven flavors. 
- Takeyan chikuwa (fish cake)
- ・Minced fish paste is wrapped in natural green bamboo and cooked to create this staple Awaji Island chikuwa. It's easy to eat, and a vital snack or appetizer with beer or Japanese sake.
・It offers the tender and slightly chewy texture of take-chikuwa, finished with a fresh sensation and moreish taste.
・Packed with the umami flavor of seafood, this chikuwa is a long-selling product loved by all generations, adults and children alike. 
- Awaji onion pie
- ・Onions from Awaji Island are kneaded into the dough, forming a light dough that complements the sweetness of the onions. The crispy and flaky pastry is superb.
・You can taste the onions, one of Awaji Island’s specialty products—it's perfect for a souvenir.
・Make it even more delicious by gently heating in a toaster. This product has a lot of repeat customers. 
Souvenir spot (2) Michi-no-eki Uzushio
This michi-no-eki (roadside station) is the closest in Japan to the whirlpools, standing on the southernmost edge of Awaji Island. It offers an array of souvenirs, from original products only available here to onions directly from contracted farmers and marine products. You can also savor an Awaji Island burger, winner of the local burger grand prize. Michi-no-eki Uzushio reopened after renovations in October 2025!
Popular souvenirs from Michi-no-eki Uzushio: Our six selections
- Best Match Chojo Kessen Onion-garlic flavored mini senbei
- Made using Awaji Island onions, these small senbei rice crackers taste of onion and garlic. Their moreish flavor means you’ll end up eating one after another.
- See More
- Uzushio misaki Naruto kintoki daifuku (six confections)
- These daifuku (traditional confections made from mochi) feature the full-bodied sweetness of Naruto kintoki sweet potatoes and the richness of cheese. They appeal with their chewy texture, and are perfect souvenirs for both the family and you.
- See More
- Awaji Island red and white onion dressings
- A whole Awaji onion, with appealing juiciness and sweetness, is used to create these luxurious dressings. The refreshing, gentle acidity will make any salad or dish even more delicious.
- See More
- Ame-tama
- This onion soup is made by carefully frying Awaji Island onions until golden brown. It features cute onion-shaped packaging, and is very popular as a souvenir.
- See More
- Curry made with a whole Awaji Island onion
- This curry contains a whole Awaji Island onion. The sweet onion and spicy curry are a brilliant match. We recommend using a spoon to crumble the onion, simmered until soft, as you eat!
- See More
- Michi-no-eki Uzushio uzushio blue udon
- Michi-no-eki Uzushio’s new signature souvenir is this blue udon, inspired by the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait. It creates a great buzz, and is certain to delight as a souvenir!
- See More
Activities and experiences unique to Awaji Island
You can discover new sights each time you visit Awaji Island, full of the charms of the four seasons. You might explore lush nature and encounter animals, create Awaji’s specialty “roof-tile” coasters, or take a stroll through streets steeped in history and culture.
- 1. Roof-tile experience
- Roof-tile making on Awaji Island started with the construction of Yura-naruyama Castle at the start of the Edo period (1603–1868). Its fine-grained clay, known as “name-do,” turns dark silver when fired, creating a so-called “oxidized silver” color. Making small articles and coasters with this Awaji roof-tile clay is a popular activity.
- See More
- 2. Viewing an Awaji Island milk production plant and a dairy farm experience
- Join a dairy farm experience (including milking) or try making butter in Awaji’s rich natural world. Immerse yourself in nature as you head out on a journey to trace the roots of Awaji Island’s specialty Awaji Island milk.
- See More
- 3. Sumoto Retro Komichi
- Sumoto is home to a collection of individual, retro shops and eateries, including cafes and restaurants housed in old traditional townhouses, old folk residences, and vacant houses from the Edo period (1603–1868). Enjoy walking around the streets with a local guide, interacting with local people and exploring the charms and history of the area.
- See More
- 4. Fukimodoshi-making experience
- A fukimodoshi is a traditional toy that unrolls and extends when you put it to your lips and blow, then coils right back up. It’s also known as a “piropiro” or a “piihyara.“ Make your own original fukimodoshi using materials with different colored patterns.
- See More
- 5. Incense-making experience
- Awaji Island is Japan’s leading incense production area. So why not join an incense-making craftsperson experience, in which you can actually try out the island’s historic incense making techniques? Create a paste from the materials, squeeze it out and shape it—enjoy the moment you create your fragrance as you make your incense.
- See More
- 6. Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet theater
- This is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, passed down since the middle of the Edo period (1603–1868). You can see Ningyo Joruri productions at the Awaji Ningyoza (Awaji Puppet Theater). You can also enjoy a back-stage tour with explanations by a troupe member before the show begins.
- See More
- 7. Awaichi (cycling)
- From a well-loved route for cyclists known affectionately as “Awaichi” to sightseeing routes that enable you to travel around the tourist spots of the area and explore the landscapes and streets, experience the charms of Awaji that are only discoverable by bicycle.
- See More
Summary
What do you think? Have even more fun on your trip around the popular resort of Awaji Island!
