Resort Glamping.com
For Glamping Reservations of Japan(Mt.Fuji, Awaji Island, Beppu, Tottori, Izu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Kyushu etc.)
Resort Glamping.com
For Glamping Reservations of Japan(Mt.Fuji, Awaji Island, Beppu, Tottori, Izu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Kyushu etc.)
December 2026, 5
What kind of place is Awaji Island? Where should I start sightseeing? Many travelers probably have these questions. Awaji Island is just an hour's drive from Osaka and Kobe, yet it is one of the most popular tourist islands in the Kansai region, bringing together nature, history and culture, and ocean views. In this article, we will introduce carefully selected must-see tourist spots, gourmet food, and hidden scenic spots that are not well known even to Japanese people, for both first-time visitors to Awaji Island and repeat fans. Experience the charm of Awaji Island to the fullest!
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Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, spanning three areas in Hyogo Prefecture: Awaji City, Sumoto City, and Minami-Awaji City. The entire island enjoys a mild climate, and agriculture is well-developed, with an abundance of agricultural products such as onions. Seafood such as sea bream, sea urchin, and dried whitebait is also famous in the surrounding waters.
Since the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Awaji Island has become easily accessible from Kobe's Sannomiya area in just 30-40 minutes by car, and its popularity as a tourist destination has skyrocketed. The island boasts a wide variety of accommodations and dining options, including luxury hotels, glamping sites, and roadside rest areas, as well as numerous tourist attractions.
Awaji Island is considered the site of the "creation myth" of Japan. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Awaji Island was the first island created by the two deities Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto. Onokoro-jima Shrine on Awaji Island remains a sacred site that attracts many worshippers and tourists. The island has a Seto Inland Sea climate with distinct seasons. With rapeseed blossoms and cherry blossoms in spring, sunflowers and marine sports in summer, autumn leaves and harvest festivals in fall, and hot springs in winter, it's a place that can be enjoyed at any time of year.
Awaji Yumebutai is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Awaji Island, designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. The park features numerous attractions, including the "Hyakudan-en" (Hundred-Step Garden) with over 1 rose bushes, the "Kaikairo" (Sea Corridor) offering panoramic views of the Awaji Island seascape, and the "Miracle Planet Museum of Plants" where concerts and exhibitions are held.
You can stay at the Westin Hotel Awaji (now Grand Nikko Awaji) located on the premises and enjoy an elegant breakfast while gazing at the spectacular view of the Akashi Strait. Awaji Yumebutai is truly an iconic spot for sightseeing on Awaji Island, and you'll discover something new every time you visit.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, with a total length of 3,911 meters, is the second longest suspension bridge in the world. At the Bridge Science Museum and the Maiko Marine Promenade in Maiko Park in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, you can look down on the Seto Inland Sea from directly above the bridge.
From the Awaji Service Area on the Awaji Island side, you can enjoy a close-up view of the entire bridge, and the nighttime illumination creates a fantastic atmosphere, making it one of the most Instagrammable spots representing a trip to Awaji Island.
https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/bridgeworld/
https://hyogo-maikopark.jp/
Sumoto Castle on Awaji Island was built during the Muromachi period, and the existing castle tower is a tourist structure rebuilt in 1928. The castle ruins are located on Mt. Mikuma (Shiroyama), which is 133 meters above sea level, and from the top you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Sumoto city, the Kitan Strait, and the Kii Peninsula. Among Awaji Island's tourist spots, this is deeply loved by history buffs. At the foot of the castle ruins is the Sumoto Onsen hot spring resort area, perfect for travelers looking for accommodation or sightseeing.
https://www.awajishima-kanko.jp/manual/detail.html?bid=242
Keino Matsubara, located in Minami Awaji City, is a white sand beach stretching for approximately 2 km and has been selected as one of "Japan's 100 Best White Sand Beaches and Green Pine Groves" and one of "Japan's 100 Best Sunset Spots." This historic scenic spot was even celebrated in the Manyoshu, an ancient collection of Japanese poetry. At dusk, the lingering glow of the setting sun on the pine forest and the shoreline is breathtakingly beautiful. In the summer, a swimming beach is opened, allowing visitors to enjoy water activities, while in the off-season, it serves as a walking and running course for local Awaji Island residents. There is also a campsite nearby.
https://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/spot/detail_1072.html
Located in the northern part of Awaji Island, Akashi Kaikyo National Park is a vast flower theme park. Beautiful flowers bloom throughout the year, from tulips and rapeseed blossoms in spring, to sunflowers and hydrangeas in summer, cosmos and dahlias in autumn, and illuminations in winter. It is extremely popular with families and is a top choice for family trips to Awaji Island.
The park features an observation deck, barbecue area, and playground facilities, making it a great place for the whole family to enjoy all day long. The vast lawn area is also a popular spot for picnics and photo shoots.
https://awaji-kaikyopark.kkr.mlit.go.jp/
Awaji Island is nationally renowned as a top-quality onion producing region in Japan. The warm climate, sea breezes from the Seto Inland Sea, and fertile soil cultivate high-quality onions that are sweet and mild, making them delicious even when eaten raw in salads.
Roadside stations and restaurants on Awaji Island offer a variety of dishes using onions, such as onion soup, onion hamburgers, and onion burgers, forming a unique food culture of Awaji Island.
The "Great Naruto Bridge Memorial Museum" is also known as a sacred place for onion dishes!
The Seto Inland Sea around Awaji Island experiences strong tides, which fosters abundant fishery resources. Because sea bream from Awaji Island swim in strong currents, their flesh is firm and fatty, making them delicious in a variety of dishes such as sashimi, sea bream rice, and salt-grilled fish.
Every year from spring to summer is the peak season for fresh sea urchin. Sea urchins from Awaji Island grow large due to the abundance of food available, and their sweetness is intense and unforgettable. Fresh sea urchin rice bowls, delivered directly from local fishermen, are a particularly popular dish among Awaji Island's culinary delights, and some restaurants require advance reservations.
*This image is for illustrative purposes only.
Awaji Beef, a type of Japanese Black cattle raised on Awaji Island, is also captivating foodies around the world. Raised in a warm climate, Awaji Beef is characterized by its beautiful marbling and tender texture, and can be enjoyed at yakiniku restaurants and steak houses on the island. The "Awaji Island Burger," which has become very popular in recent years, is made using plenty of local ingredients. There are specialty shops all over the island, so it is recommended to try different burgers while touring the tourist spots of Awaji Island.
*This image is for illustrative purposes only.
Roadside Stations & Recommended Gourmet Food
| Facility/Store Name | Recommended gourmet | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside Rest Stop Uzunooka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Museum | Onion dishes, Awaji Island idiot | Minamiawaji City |
| Road Rest Station Dongpo Terminal Park | Dried whitebait, sea bream from Awaji Island | Awaji City |
| Sea fishing pond Janohira | Fishing experience, fresh seafood dishes | Minamiawaji City |
| Sea God's Dining Bowl | Awaji beef shabu-shabu | Awaji City |
| Fisherman's Meal Tomoaki Maru | Fresh sea urchin, seafood set meal | Awaji City |
Located in the mountains of Minami-Awaji City, Nadakuroiwa Narcissus Village boasts a spectacular display of approximately 5 million narcissus flowers blooming simultaneously from January to February each year. The vast expanse of white narcissus flowers spread across the steep slopes, contrasting beautifully with the pale blue sea, making it renowned as one of the most beautiful scenic spots on Awaji Island. While rarely featured in tourist brochures, it attracts many photography enthusiasts during its blooming season, drawn by its reputation.
Beneath the Great Naruto Bridge, which connects the southern tip of Awaji Island to Tokushima Prefecture, you can witness the spectacular sight of the world's largest whirlpools. Created by the difference in ocean current speeds due to the ebb and flow of the tides, the whirlpools reach a maximum diameter of 20 meters during the spring and autumn tides each year. The bridge features a glass-floored walkway called "Uzunomichi" (Whirlpool Path), where you can look down on the whirlpools from directly above. Taking a sightseeing boat allows you to experience the whirlpools even closer, and it is a natural wonder that is still relatively unknown to foreign tourists.
Ejima Island, located off the coast of Iwaya Port in Awaji City, is a historically significant scenic spot mentioned in the Manyoshu, an ancient collection of Japanese poetry. It is also one of the legendary sites in Japan's creation myth. Boasting natural beauty shaped by wind and waves over many years, it is rarely visited by tourists and, being an uninhabited island, is one of the most charming and hidden gems among Awaji Island's tourist attractions.
https://www.awajishima-kanko.jp/manual/detail.html?bid=357
Mount Yuzuruha, at an elevation of 608 meters, is the highest peak on Awaji Island. From the observation deck at the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire island, the Akashi Strait, the Kii Peninsula, and even Shikoku. There are multiple hiking routes, making it ideal for beginners. Yuzuruha Shrine, located near the summit, is famous as a power spot for matchmaking. Along the way, you can observe wild plants and birds, making it a little-known spot that retains some of the most untouched nature on Awaji Island.
https://uzushio-guruguru.com/post-529/
In recent years, Awaji Island in the Kansai region has been attracting a lot of attention as a popular resort destination. Why not experience the island's sea breeze and resort atmosphere? The three luxurious glamping facilities introduced below are the best choices for an overnight stay! These unique glamping facilities allow you to enjoy the great outdoors while savoring unforgettable Awaji Island cuisine.
This glamping facility, the first of its kind on Awaji Island, utilizes large dome-shaped tents. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and heating, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing stay in any season. Dinner features local ingredients such as Awaji beef, Awaji pork, and whitebait, while breakfast includes Awaji Island's famous onion soup, Awaji yogurt, and Awaji milk. The management building also features a fresh vegetable corner (vegetable market) where guests can freely choose their produce.
Located in Awaji City on Awaji Island, this resort offers three unique and luxurious tents, each featuring ocean views and a private garden. Each tent includes a private hot spring bath and a dedicated dining area. Guests can enjoy a BBQ set including Awaji beef steak, Awaji sausages, and Caprese skewers. After dinner, guests can relax by a bonfire in their private garden while gazing at the starry night sky.
This resort villa, located in a seaside area of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, features private hot spring baths and private pools in each room! All rooms offer ocean views, and the resort boasts truly first-class amenities such as a full course meal of Awaji Island's 3-year-old tiger pufferfish and a satisfying sukiyaki set. The kitchen facilities are also excellent, allowing guests to bring their own ingredients and enjoy cooking to their heart's content. Awaji Island Farm is nearby, where the whole family can enjoy strawberry picking.
The most convenient way to get there is by renting a car from Kobe Sannomiya and crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Travelers without a car can also access the bridge by taking a highway bus or a ferry from Akashi Port.
Among the many spots on Awaji Island, I particularly recommend five: Awaji Yumebutai, Sumoto Castle Ruins, Keino Matsubara, Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, and Onaruto Bridge. Almost all of these can be included in a 1-night, 2-day itinerary.
You absolutely cannot miss these three gourmet delights: Awaji Island onions, Awaji Island sea bream, and fresh sea urchin rice bowl. Roadside stations and local restaurants offer a variety of dishes made with high-quality ingredients, and you'll undoubtedly be amazed by their freshness.
Spring, when flowers are in full bloom, and autumn, with its mild climate, are the best seasons to visit. However, Awaji Island offers a variety of attractions throughout the year, such as swimming in the sea in summer and warming up in hot springs in winter.
"Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park," "Awaji Yumebutai," and "Awaji Island Glamping Facilities" are extremely popular with families with children. They offer a wide variety of playground equipment and interactive activities.
Awaji Island is the perfect destination for a day trip or a 1-night, 2-day trip departing from the Kansai region. It boasts Awaji Yumebutai, designed by a world-renowned architect, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's largest suspension bridges, and glamping facilities, which are currently very popular in Japan. Furthermore, it is packed with attractions that will make you reluctant to leave, such as the abundant gourmet food including Awaji Island onions, Awaji Island sea bream, fresh sea urchin rice bowls, and Awaji beef, as well as the Nada Kuroiwa Narcissus Park, where millions of narcissus flowers bloom. Whether you are visiting Awaji Island for the first time or are a frequent visitor, we hope this guide will help you discover the charms of Awaji Island more deeply and create wonderful, unforgettable memories.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
