Ultimate Awaji Island Travel Guide｜Discover Stunning Views, Local Cuisine & Instagrammable Experiences
Awaji Island: The Ultimate Otherworldly Experience — Architecture, Anime, Stargazing, Onions… All in One Place
Just about an hour by express bus from Kansai, yet it feels like stepping into another dimension. Awaji Island is a sensory overload packed with immersive experiences—from anime theme parks to world-class architecture by Tadao Ando, cocoon-shaped stargazing hotels, and local delicacies like the famously sweet Awaji onions, premium Awaji Beef, and fresh shirasu rice bowls.
In this guide, we’ll dive into everything Awaji has to offer—sorted into “Experiences,” “Food,” “Architecture,” and “Culture.”
1. Awaji Yumebutai – Tadao Ando’s Architectural Sanctuary in Nature
On the northern coast of Awaji Island lies Awaji Yumebutai, a sprawling architectural complex designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. Once a barren quarry, the site has been transformed into a “landscape of rebirth,” where nature and design coexist in harmony.
photo by valuepress
Hyakudan-en (100 Terraces Garden)
A stunning stepped garden featuring over 100 terraced flower beds planted with seasonal blooms. Water channels run like waterfalls between levels, creating a scenic blend of architecture and nature. Don’t be fooled by the name—there are actually more than 1,500 steps.
photo by photo AC
Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum
One of Japan’s largest greenhouses, this 7,000 m² space showcases around 3,000 plant species from across the globe. Seasonal exhibits combine lighting, music, and art for an immersive “living with plants” experience.
Photo by Miyuki hirai / CC-BY-SA-4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Water Courtyard and Corridor
A reflective, tranquil space where sky, concrete, and greenery blend. It feels like strolling through a minimalist painting.
photo by photo AC
Grand Nikko Awaji
Designed by Ando as well, this hotel offers ocean and garden views from nearly every room. Ideal for a luxury stay surrounded by art and nature.
photo by PRTIMES
🌐 Awaji Yumebutai
📍 Google Maps
🌐 Grand Nikko Awaji
📍 Google Maps
2. Nijigen no Mori – A Nature-Infused Anime Adventure Park
Nijigen no Mori is a next-level theme park where Japan’s beloved anime, games, and tokusatsu heroes come alive—set against the natural backdrop of Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park. Combining cutting-edge tech with the great outdoors, this park offers fully immersive attractions that let you literally walk into your favorite 2D worlds.
Walk, climb, battle, and solve puzzles—here, fantasy becomes reality.
Get your ninja on in NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobizato, brave the epic quest of Dragon Quest Island, or explore Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park. The park is full of interactive zones based on legendary anime and games.
At night, things level up with projection-mapped night walks and seasonal collab events—so there’s always something to enjoy from sunrise to starry skies.
Special Event: Kimetsu no Yaiba x Nijigen no Mori (3rd Collaboration)
Event Dates: March 15 – December 14, 2025
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Night Event: “Night Walk: Path to the Infinity Castle”
A 1.2 km illuminated forest walk that traces the battles of the Demon Slayer Corps leading up to the Infinity Castle showdown. -
Day Event: “Puzzle Walk: Blossom Village and Phantom Demon Hunt”
Solve mysteries alongside demons illustrated exclusively by ufotable in this limited daytime quest.
🌐 Nijigen no Mori
📍 Google Maps
Related Article This Summer, Dive into the World of Kaiju – Godzilla Quiz Mission Launches at Nijigen no Mori!
3. GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135° – Sleep Under the Stars with Your Favorite Characters
Perched on a hill inside Nijigen no Mori, GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135° is no ordinary hotel. Each room is a stand-alone wooden cocoon designed for stargazing, with skylights that bring the night sky right into your room.
What makes it even more special? The character-themed rooms that go above and beyond in detail.
- Naruto Room: Modeled after the Akatsuki hideout, with a ceiling design featuring the Sharingan.
- Dragon Quest Room: Find hidden Slimes and complete your own medal-collecting quest.
- Godzilla Room: Packed with figures and exhibits—like staying in a mini kaiju museum.
- Hello Kitty Room: A dreamy pink space inspired by the stars, with Kitty-chan peeking through the skylight.
Related Article “Sleep with Your Favorite Characters? GRAND CHARIOT Is an Anime Lover’s Dream Stay!”
GRAND CHARIOT’s Fine Dining – A Feast of Awaji’s Seasonal Flavors
Get ready to indulge. From sukiyaki and shabu-shabu made with premium A5-grade Awaji Beef, to seasonal hotpots featuring pike conger, sakura sea bream, and tiger pufferfish—this is haute cuisine with local soul.
The dinner is curated by HAL YAMASHITA, and every course celebrates the island’s freshest ingredients. Summer BBQs under the stars, traditional Japanese breakfast, Western-style plates, and even kid-friendly options—it's a full five-sense dining experience.
🌐 GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135°
📍 Google Maps
4. Awaji Island Eats: The Big 3 – Beef, Onions, and Shirasu
■Awaji Beef – Island-Raised Wagyu Perfection
Awaji Beef is the pride of the island—so much so, it’s even the breeding stock for Kobe Beef. The marbling is fine and delicate, melting instantly in your mouth. Tender, flavorful, and light on fat, Awaji Beef offers a deeply rich taste you’ll want to savor over and over again. Grilled on a teppan, flame-seared, sukiyaki-style, or in a roast beef bowl—every way brings out a new level of deliciousness.
Where to Eat Awaji Beef – RAW JAPAN Picks
Restaurant Taikou – Farmhouse Vibes, Michelin Quality
Tucked away in Shizuki, this traditional Japanese-style restaurant is a legend among locals and tourists alike. Founded in 1990, it’s a certified Awaji Beef establishment and a Michelin favorite. They use lava stone grills to draw out the natural flavor of the meat, cooked gently and perfectly to the core. Every dish reflects their respect for both the farmers and the ingredients. It’s warm, heartfelt dining—like being welcomed into a family home.
🌐 Restaurant Taikou
📍 Google Maps
Steak House Genpei – Teppan with a View
Seaside dining with jaw-dropping ocean views. Genpei is a teppanyaki-style steakhouse known for its Awaji Beef and curated wine pairings. Watch your steak grilled before your eyes as you soak in the serene scenery. Here, the view is as much a part of the meal as the food itself.
🌐 Steak House Genpei
📍 Google Maps
■Awaji Onions – Sweet Like Fruit
Awaji onions are insanely sweet. You can eat them raw without any harsh bite. Their high water content and sugar levels make them so mild, they’re even used in juice and ice cream. Cook them, and they turn almost fruity.Their texture is soft and creamy, practically melting in your mouth. Don’t miss the giant onion statue “Ottamanegi” at Uzunooka for the perfect photo op.
Where to Eat & Buy Awaji Onions – RAW JAPAN Picks
SHIMAUMA BURGER – Awaji Goodness in a Bun
Juicy Awaji Beef, ultra-sweet Awaji onions, fluffy buns, and tangy tomato sauce come together in this ultra-local burger.
Don’t miss the crispy onion rings and photogenic takeout boxes! A must-stop on your island food crawl.
🌐 SHIMAUMA BURGER
📍 Google Maps
Awaji Onion Specialty Shop – The Sweetest of the Sweet
Located in waSTEP AWAJISHIMA, this shop specializes in handpicked premium onions—up to 8 varieties per season, each with unique sweetness, cultivation, and fertilizer techniques. The store also carries Awaji-grown fruits, veggies, and souvenirs—a great stop to literally taste the land.
🌐 Awaji Onion Specialty Shop
📍 Google Maps
■Shirasu Don – A Seasonal Seafood Treat (Apr–Nov Only)
Served only when fresh off the boat, shirasu don is a local bowl topped with translucent, melt-in-your-mouth baby sardines. Topped with lemon, ponzu, or ginger jelly, it’s a bowl that literally tastes like the sea—delicate, seasonal, and unforgettable.
Osakana Republic Ebisu Maru – Over 100,000 Sold Annually!
Located near Awaji’s famous bridge at Michi no Eki Awaji, this seafood eatery is always buzzing. Their signature shirasu bowl is joined by a full line-up of tai egg bowls, seared seafood, and more. Grab a terrace seat, enjoy the ocean view, and dig in. Popular with locals and tourists alike—expect a line on weekends!
🌐 Osakana Republic Ebisu Maru
📍 Google Maps
5. And There's More! Must-See Spots Around Awaji Island
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World – Climb the World's Longest Suspension Bridge
Did you know you can actually climb one of the longest suspension bridges in the world? Welcome to Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World, a guided tour that lets you walk the normally off-limits maintenance route—culminating at the top of a 300m tower high above the ocean. With a 360° panoramic view over the Seto Inland Sea, the experience is a mix of thrill, wind, waves, and insane structural beauty. The full tour takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes and includes harnesses and safety gear. If you're into engineering or just crave a high-altitude adventure, this is your jam.
🌐 Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World (Official Site)
📍 Google Maps
** A Happy Pancake – Awaji Island Terrace (Flagship Store)**
The birthplace of Japan’s beloved “A Happy Pancake” isn’t Tokyo or Osaka—it’s right here on Awaji Island. Indulge in their signature melt-in-your-mouth pancakes made with local Awaji ingredients, while soaking in a breathtaking ocean view from every seat.The grounds are more than just a café—they’re a destination. You’ll find seaside terraces, hammocks, swings, and the iconic “Stairway to Happiness,” a white staircase leading into the blue sky and sea. Designed with the hope that happiness will find you as you climb, it’s a favorite photo spot for couples and Instagrammers alike. This place oozes vacation vibes. A must-visit for couples and girls’ trips. Be warned: weekends get busy, so plan ahead or reserve if you can!
🌐A Happy Pancake – Awaji Island Terrace
📍GoogleMAP
Izanagi Shrine – The Mythical Birthplace of Japan
According to Japanese mythology, Awaji was the first island ever created. At the heart of this story lies Izanagi Shrine, dedicated to the god Izanagi who is said to have spent his final days here.One of the oldest shrines in Japan, it’s home to sacred trees over 900 years old and the famous “Married Couple Great Trees” (Meoto Ohkusu) known for their spiritual energy. Quiet, serene, and deeply spiritual—it’s a journey into the origins of Japan itself.
🌐 Izanagi Shrine (Official Site)
📍 Google Maps
Sumoto Castle Ruins – Epic Views from Awaji’s Mountain Fortress
Sumoto Castle is the island’s largest mountain fortress, originally built in the Muromachi era. The reconstructed keep stands atop the mountain, offering sweeping views of the sea and Sumoto city below. Even the climb up is part of the fun—a mini hike through historical ruins, old stone walls, and scenic lookout points. On clear days, you can even see Wakayama across the Kitan Strait.
🌐 Sumoto Castle Info
📍 Google Maps
Uzunooka Awaji Onion Museum – Giant Onions and Instagram Gold
You’ve probably seen it on Instagram—the massive onion monument perched on a hill. That’s Uzunooka Awaji Onion Museum, a sightseeing spot packed with onion-themed fun. Try local burgers and soups made with sweet Awaji onions, snap pics with the giant onion statue, or test your luck at the “Onion Catcher” game. It’s a one-stop shop for views, food, souvenirs, and a bit of weird fun.
🌐 Uzunooka Awaji Onion Museum (Official Site)
📍 Google Maps
6. Getting There & Getting Around – How to Access and Explore Awaji Island
🚍 How to Get to Awaji Island (from Major Cities)
From Osaka (Umeda)
→ About 1 hr 20 min by express bus. Get off at “Nijigen no Mori-mae” or “Awaji IC”
→ About 1.5 hrs by car via the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway (crossing Akashi Kaikyo Bridge)
From Kobe (Sannomiya)
→ Around 60 minutes by express bus (Awaji IC or Higashiura BT, etc.)
→ About 40 minutes by car. Easy for day trips!
From Kansai International Airport (KIX)
→ Transfer via Kobe for bus or rental car access (approx. 2 hours)
🌐 Awaji Kotsu Express Buses – Convenient from Kobe
🚗 Rent a Car – The Best Way to Explore the Island
Public transport is limited on Awaji Island, and the sights are spread out—so renting a car is highly recommended. You’ll find rental shops near Awaji IC, Sumoto, and Iwaya Port. Whether you’re a family or a group of friends, driving lets you explore freely.
Tip: If you’re coming by bus, rent a car after arrival. If you’re driving from Kobe, crossing the bridge in your own car is a scenic bonus.
Recommended Rental Car Shop in Awaji
Awaji Island Rent-a-Car Morimoto Shoten
Free pickup within 5 km of the shop—super smooth rental process for travelers!
🌐 Morimoto Rent-a-Car
📍 Google Maps
📍 More Awaji Island Car Rental Options – Google Maps
7. The Ultimate Route! Awaji Island All-in-One 2-Day Plan
Start from the top of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, dive into anime worlds, marvel at Tadao Ando architecture, feast on Awaji Beef, and fall asleep under the stars. Day 2? Visit mythological shrines, hike castle ruins, and snap pics with a giant onion.
If you’re the type who wants to do everything, this is RAW JAPAN’s ultimate Awaji Island itinerary. Warning: You’ll probably pass out on the ride home. If you prefer a slower pace, customize as needed!
DAY 1: Bridge, Anime, and Architecture (Rental Car Required)
09:00 – Meet at Maiko Park (Kobe side) → Register for Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World Tour
09:10 – Begin the 2hr 40min Bridge World adventure with guide and gear
12:00 – Drive to Awaji Island side of the bridge (~20 min)
12:30 – Lunch at Michi-no-Eki Awaji (onion burger or shirasu bowl) + chill by the sea
14:00 – Arrive at Nijigen no Mori – explore Naruto, Dragon Quest, Godzilla attractions
16:30 – Head to Awaji Yumebutai – tour Hyakudan Garden, Botanical Museum, Water Corridor
18:00 – Check in to Grand Nikko Awaji or Grand Chariot
19:00 – Enjoy a multi-course Awaji Beef dinner and stargazing
21:00 – Unwind with onsen or firepit terrace time in your cocoon suite
DAY 2: Shrines, Castles & Local Flavor
08:00 – Traditional Japanese or Western-style breakfast at your hotel
09:30 – Visit Izanagi Shrine for a mythological and spiritual start
11:00 – Hike up to Sumoto Castle Ruins and snap scenic photos
12:30 – Lunch in Sumoto (shirasu bowl or Awaji beef set meal)
14:00 – Stop at Uzunooka Onion Museum – get pics and souvenirs
15:30 – Depart Awaji IC and head home!
8. Travel TIPS – Quick Bits to Know Before Visiting Awaji Island
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🧅 Best Onion Season? May–June
That’s when the “new onions” are at their sweetest. -
🚌 Bus Service is Limited
Always check the latest timetables and transfer info in advance. -
📶 Signal Strength? It Depends
Solid in towns, but can be spotty in mountain or coastal areas. -
💳 Cashless Options Growing
Credit cards and e-money are increasingly accepted, but not everywhere. -
☀️ Best Seasons to Visit
Spring (April–May) and Autumn (October–November) are ideal—comfortable weather and beautiful landscapes.
RAW JAPAN’s Takeaway
Awaji Island isn’t just some quirky destination. It’s where you can step into anime worlds, be moved by architecture, fall asleep under a blanket of stars, and *feast on beef, onions, and fresh seafood. It’s steeped in myth, bursting with flavor, and totally alive. Bring your family and go full throttle at Nijigen no Mori. Take your partner and glamp under the stars. Come solo and soak in silence, shrines, and Ando’s concrete poetry. A day trip is doable. But if you stay overnight—you’ll feel the island even deeper.
Looking for your next adventure? Awaji Island is the one.
This article was independently created by the RAW JAPAN editorial team. It is not sponsored or affiliated with any of the mentioned shops or facilities. All pricing and availability are based on information at the time of writing. Please check official websites for the latest updates. Photos shown are for illustrative purposes—actual menus or presentations may vary. Photo by iStock / Wikimedia Commons / Official websites / photoAC / valuepress