Awaji Island, only 30-min drive from Kobe and 1-hour drive from Osaka, shines during the summer, and we’re excited to introduce you to the top 10 must-visit attractions for this season. Surrounded by the sea, Awaji Island is brimming with charm, especially now. You’ll find plenty of spots to enjoy sightseeing, playing, and eating. Awaji Island is conveniently accessible by pubic transportations as well as free shuttle bus. Here are the must-see spots to fully enjoy summer on Awaji Island!
Table of Contents
- Nijigen no Mori for an Active and Fun Summer on Awaji Island
- Seasonal Flower Beauty at Awaji Hanasajiki
- Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park: A Beautiful Park Overlooking the Ocean
- CRAFT CIRCUS: Delicious Food and Spectacular Ocean Views
- Ocean Terrace: Summer BBQ Buffet with Ocean Views
- Awaji Chef’s Garden by PASONA: The Refreshing Summer Sea Breeze and Resort Atmosphere
- HELLO KITTY SMILE: Meet Hello Kitty This Summer!
- miele: Awaji Island’s Instagrammable Spot With Ocean Views
- Zenbo Seinei: Enjoy the Sounds of Nature of Awaji Island
- GRAND CHARIOT: Summer Cuisine & Magnificent Views of Awaji Island
- Awaji Island’s 2024 Summer Festival
Nijigen no Mori for an Active and Fun Summer on Awaji Island
If you’re looking to stay active and enjoy the summer, the anime theme park on Awaji Island is perfect for you. You can engage in ninja activities at NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-zato, explore the RPG world of Dragon Quest, and even fight Godzilla cells.
This summer’s highlight is a collaboration event with the popular anime SPY×FAMILY, featuring an interactive maze and picturesque flower-themed photo spots. There’s plenty of fun to be had for everyone!
Seasonal Flower Beauty at Awaji Hanasajiki
During the summer, Awaji Hanasajiki bursts into vibrant color with sunflowers, cleome, salvia, and blue salvia in full bloom. Under the summer sun, you can see stunning sky, sea, and lush greenery views.
The park has approximately 200,000 yellow sunflowers, pastel-colored cleome, bright red salvia, and vivid blue salvia flowers. There is no admission fee, and public bus stops and parking lots are available, making it easily accessible for everyone.
Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park: A Beautiful Park Overlooking the Ocean
During the summer, Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park becomes a flower park full of sunflowers and globe amaranths. Visitors can enjoy playground equipment and the toddler pool while admiring the flowers. On weekends, the park also hosts various family-friendly craft experiences.
Near the park is Awaji Yumebutai, featuring a greenhouse brimming with vibrant flowers and a variety of restaurants. This distinctive building was designed by the renowned global architect, Tadao Ando.
CRAFT CIRCUS: Delicious Food and Spectacular Ocean Views
CRAFT CIRCUS is full of popular summer menu offerings including a seafood barbecue at Kaiou Ichiba restaurant, pizzas at CRAFT KITCHEN, and refreshing gelato at CRAFT MARCHÉ. The seafood barbecue is a daily special set featuring today’s catch of seafood and Awaji vegetables, with additional options like Awaji beef, abalone, or spiny lobster.
The pizzas are 40 cm in diameter and ideal for sharing, having ingredients sourced from Awaji Island such as onions, Awaji octopus, Awaji beef, and Awaji whitebait. Guests can enjoy these delicious dishes on a 100-meter-long seaside terrace, fostering lively conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.
| Location | CRAFT CIRCUS |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-2 Nojima-Hirabayashi, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1724 |
| Access | 15 minutes by car from Awaji IC on Awaji-Kobe-Naruto Expressway. 10 minutes by car from Iwaya Port (Jenova Line Ferry). |
| Parking | 80 spaces |
| Business Hours | Weekdays: 10:30-20:30 (last order 19:30) Weekends/Holidays: 9:30-20:30 (last order 19:30) |
| Closed | Thursdays (excluding national holidays) |
| Tel | 0799-82-1855 |
| Website | https://awajicraftcircus.com/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/craftcircus/reserve |
Click here for details of CRAFT CIRCUS
Ocean Terrace: Summer BBQ Buffet with Ocean Views
During the summer season at Ocean Terrace, you can eat Awaji beef and other premium selections, expertly grilled on custom-made lava stones. Awaji Beef, exclusively sourced from Tajima cattle born on Awaji Island and meeting stringent certification standards, is known for its exceptional marbling and exquisite flavor profile. The beef has a delicate balance of melt-in-your-mouth fat sweetness and savory red meat richness.
In addition to the grill menu, you can also indulge yourself with a buffet, offering more than 30 kinds of foods: cold dishes, warm dishes, a selection of meat, salads, and desserts. A selection differs for lunch and dinner buffet. As evening comes, you can enjoy the refreshing sea breeze while taking in the stunning sunset, recognized as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets”.
| Name | Ocean Terrace |
|---|---|
| Address | 816 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| Tel | 0799-82-1907 |
| Website | https://ocean-terrace-awaji.jp/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/craftcircus-oceanterrace/reserve |
| Operation Hours | Lunch 11:30~15:00 (L.O.14:00) / Dinner 17:00~21:00 (L.O.20:00) |
Click here for details of Ocean Terrace
Awaji Chef’s Garden by PASONA: The Refreshing Summer Sea Breeze and Resort Atmosphere
Awaji Chefs’ Garde offers a wide variety of lunches, desserts, and beverages, from Japan and all around the world, all set against the backdrop of stunning ocean views. Popular lunch choices span a variety of cuisines such as oyakodon (chicken and egg on rice), kishimen noodles, Chinese dishes, seafood chirashi (assorted seafood over rice), steak rice bowls, Vietnamese and Korean specialties, hamburgers, and many more.
This complex overlooks the Harima-nada Sea, known as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Sunset” “spots. Terrace seating, accommodating approximately 600 guests, invites you to enjoy the resort ambiance while enjoying panoramic ocean views.
| Name | Awai Chef's Garden by PASONA |
|---|---|
| Address | 57-3, Nojima Okawa, Awaji Shi, Hyogo Ken, 656-1723 |
| Parking | Approx. 140 units (Chef Garden Parking Space & SEIKAIHA Parking Space) 500 yen/day |
| Phone Number | 080-8177-4501 |
| Website | https://www.awaji-chefgarden.com/ |
| Business Hours | 11:00～21:00 (last order 20:00) *Subject to change depending on the season and weather. |
Click here for details of Awaji Chef's Garden
HELLO KITTY SMILE: Meet Hello Kitty This Summer!
HELLO KITTY SMILE invites you to explore the underwater world at Otohime Ryugu Castle (Castle of Dragon Princess), a media art venue where you can view the projection mapping guide by the iconic character Hello Kitty. You can even greet Hello Kitty herself and take a commemorative photo together in one of the areas!
Moreover, you can visit the two restaurants inside the complex during lunchtime and early dinnertime. Garden Terrace offers Chinese cuisine, while Restaurant Tamatebako serves individual hotpot dishes. At the lunch and evening greetings with Hello Kitty, you can chat with her and take photos together!
There is also an opportunity for you to check out Hello Kitty and Sanrio merchandise from the shops and boutiques. Some of the goods are Awaji Island Limited, so make sure to check it out!
| Location | HELLO KITTY SMILE |
|---|---|
| Address | 985-1 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| Access | 10 minutes by car from Awaji IC or Hokudan IC on Awaji-Kobe-Naruto Expressway. |
| Parking | Free parking available |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays 11:00~19:00 Sat., Sun, & Public Holidays 10:00~19:00 Please note that each restaurant/café has different operating hours. |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Website | https://awaji-resort.com/hellokittysmile/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/hellokitty-smile2restaurant/reserve |
| Phone Number | 0799-70-9037 |
Click here for details of HELLO KITTY SMILE
miele: Awaji Island’s Instagrammable Spot With Ocean Views
miele on Awaji Island offers popular dishes during the summer season like the whitebait pizza and whitebait rice bowls, both featuring boiled whitebait sourced locally. The Awaji Island Whitebait Pizza lets you customize your topping with as much boiled whitebait as you desire on a tomato-based pizza with homemade dough. The staff will continue adding whitebait until you say “stop”, a unique take on serving a dish!
The desserts at miele are also a hit, often featuring honey as a primary ingredient. Among the unique offerings is the dessert pizza, a delightful creation that’s incredibly Instagram-worthy.
| Name | miele |
|---|---|
| Adress | 785-9 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| Tel | 0799-80-2600 |
| Operation Hours | Weekdays 11:00~19:00 (L.O.18:30) Sat., Sun, & Public Holidays 9:30~19:30 (L.O.19:00) Closed: Tuesdays In Aug. and Sept. it will not be closed on Tuesdays |
| Website | https://www.miele-da-scuola.com/ |
Click here for details of miele
Zenbo Seinei: Enjoy the Sounds of Nature of Awaji Island
During the summer period at Zenbo Seinei, you can experience the Zen retreat, immersing yourself in the serene mountainous surroundings to experience gentle breezes and the soothing sounds of chirping birds. The activity includes meditation, Zen calligraphy, Zen cuisine and more where you can calm your mind amidst the tranquil setting of Awaji Island.
GRAND CHARIOT: Summer Cuisine & Magnificent Views of Awaji Island
GRAND CHARIOT is a popular glamping facility on Awaji Island, where you can experience a unique stay inside cocoon-like guest rooms. Positioned on the 135° east longitude line, the location is believed to be imbued with special spiritual significance to make you feel relaxed. During the day, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the blue sky, sea, and green mountains. At night, you can marvel at the starry sky above.
Accommodation fees include dinner and breakfast which are supervised by a well-respected chef, Hal Yamashita who runs more than 10 restaurant in Japan and overseas. The cuisine is known to be extremely delicious, made from fresh ingredients of Awaji Island such as Awaji Beef, sea urchin, and many more seasonal delicacies.
| Name | GRAND CHARIOT |
|---|---|
| Adress | 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 Located at Nijigen no Mori in Hyogo Prefecture Awajishima Park |
| Tel | 0799-64-7090 |
| Website | https://awaji-grandchariot.com/ |
| Reservations | https://go-grandchariot.reservation.jp/en |
Awaji Island’s 2024 Summer Festival
Awaji Island also wants you to join the ultimate summer gourmet festival, the “SUNx2 Sparkling Summer Festival”. This event celebrates vibrant resort cuisine, set against the stunning backdrop of Awaji Island’s seascape.
The festival’s central theme revolves around the color yellow, symbolizing the radiant sun and the exhilaration of summer. From luxurious dishes featuring pike conger to the exciting cheese mayo corn pizza, there’s something for everyone!
