No need to fly to Italy to enjoy Italian food and music as well as buying Italian merchandise. You can do all of them on Awaji Island in Japan in February and March! Awaji Island located in the Seto Inland Sea is a resort Island in the Kansai area, only 1 hour from Osaka by car or public transportation. Italy and Awaji Island also has something in common: one of Awaji Island specialties is onion which is known to be loved by ancient Romans. Let us show you how you can experience Italy on Awaji Island.
Table of Contents
- Ladybird Road Complex Turns into an Italian City on Awaji Island
- Italian Gourmet Food Not to be Missed at Nojima Scuola on Awaji Island
- Purchase Italian Vegetables and Food at a Market at Nojima Scuola on Awaji Island
- Savor a Special Menu by Chef Okuda, One of “World’s 1000 Chefs” at Ristorante Scuola on Awaji Island
- Try a Collaboration Food Dish by One of the Most Famous Italian Gentlemen in Japan, Panzetta Girolamo at Café Scuola
- Italian Photo Spot and Workshop at Nojima Scuola
- “Italian Night” with a Concert, Bingo and Talk Show by Panzetta Girolamo at SEIKAIHA Uminoya on Awaji Island
- Premium Tickets on Sale at Discount on Awaji Island
Ladybird Road Complex Turns into an Italian City on Awaji Island
Ladybird Road, a complex filled with cafés, restaurants and shop, is located at the ocean front on the Awaji Island west coast. All the restaurants and cafés offer Italian cuisines or something Italian. Colorful buildings with a Mediterranean flair is a perfect venue to enjoy the Italian Fair 2025. Savor Italian menus some of which are limited only for this fair. A parade by musicians and dancers dressed up with gorgeous costumes will be going through the complex, adding a special touch to this fair.
Period: February 22 (Sat) to March 2 (Sun)
Italian Parade & Greetings: February 22 (Sat) to 24 (Holiday), March 1 (Sat) to 2 (Sun)
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. *Will be cancelled on a rainy day/bad weather
| Name | Ladybird Road |
|---|---|
| Address | 95-2, Nojima Todoroki, Awaji Shi, Hyogo Ken, 656-1722 |
| Parking lot | 44 cars (500 yen/day) |
| Operation Hours | Varies from store to store. |
| Tel | 0799-64-7530 |
Italian Gourmet Food Not to be Missed at Nojima Scuola on Awaji Island
Purchase Italian Vegetables and Food at a Market at Nojima Scuola on Awaji Island
Nojima Scuola is a renovated former elementary school, housing a café, a restaurant, a market, a bakery and even a zoo. At the former school playground, there will be several stalls and kitchen cars selling interesting Italian vegetables and foods.
Period: February 22 (Sat) to 24 (Holiday), March 1 (Sat) to 2 (Sun)
Savor a Special Menu by Chef Okuda, One of “World’s 1000 Chefs” at Ristorante Scuola on Awaji Island
Ristorate Scuola, an Italian restaurant at the Nojimu Scuola complex, is the first restaurant in the Kansai area which Chef Masayuki Okuda, one of “World’s 1000 Chefs”, known as a master of “local consumption of local produce/food” supervises and cooks himself at special occasions. Chef Okuda is delighted to offer a special menu during the Italian Fair.
Italian Full-course Menu by Chef Okuda in Person
Period: Lunch and dinner on March 1 (Sat), dinner only on March 2 (Sun)
Time: Lunch from 11:00, Dinner from 5:00 p.m.
Prices (including tax): Lunch at 13,000 yen, Dinner at 18,000 yen
Special Italian Full-course Menu Supervised by Chef Okuda
Period: February 22 (Sat) to 24 (Holiday)
Time: Lunch from 11:00, Dinner from 5:00 p.m. * Feb. 22 (Sat) is dinner only.
Prices (including tax): Lunch at 10,000 yen, Dinner at 15,000 yen
** A mini-live performance by an opera singer is planned during the operation hours.
Try a Collaboration Food Dish by One of the Most Famous Italian Gentlemen in Japan, Panzetta Girolamo at Café Scuola
Panzetta Girolamo is a model, writer, and television presenter who is very popular in Japan. In a survey in Japan, it is said that he was found to be the second most famous Italian after Leonardo de Vinci! Café Scuola is proud to present aranchini (rice croquette) made with “Jiro Rice” produced by Girolamo.
Period: February 22 (Sat) to March 2 (Sun)
Italian Photo Spot and Workshop at Nojima Scuola
One of the famous festivals in Italy is a Carnival of Venice where people dress up with elaborate costumes and masks and attend a Masquerade Ball. There will be a workshop where you can make your own mask and even rent a costume. Why not feel like being in Venice and take a photo at an Italian photo spot? Something different for your SNS post!
Period: February 22 (Sat) to 24 (Holiday), March 1 (Sat) to 2 (Sun)
* Information on time and exact venue to come soon.
| Name | Nojima Scuola |
|---|---|
| Adress | 843 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| Website | https://www.nojima-scuola.com/ |
| Reservations | 2F Ristorante Scuola https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022838-d12135206-Reviews-Nojima_Scoula-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Tel | 0799-82-1820 |
| Operation Hours | 1F Marché /Bakery: Weekdays 10:30~19:00 Sat., Sun., & Public Holidays 10:00~19:00 1F Café Scuola: Weekdays Lunch 11:00~14:00/ café 14:00~18:00 Sat., Sun., & Public Holidays breakfast 10:00~11:00 Lunch 11:00~15:00 Café 15:00~18:00 2F Ristorante Scuola: 11:30~15:30 (in by 14:00) / 18:00~21:30 (in by 19:30) Outdoor Zoo: Weekdays 11:00~16:00 Sat., Sun. & Public Holidays 10:00~16:00 (13:00~14:00 animals in recess) Closed: Wednesdays (Open on Public Holidays) |
Click here for details of Nojima Scuola
“Italian Night” with a Concert, Bingo and Talk Show by Panzetta Girolamo at SEIKAIHA Uminoya on Awaji Island
SEIKAIHA Uminoya is a restaurant offering a Western cuisine interpreted in a Japanese way in a Meiji era right after Japan opened its door to the world. During the Italian Fair, Uminoya will offer a limited time only Italian concert, a bingo game with great prizes, and a talk show by a popular Italian celebrity, Panzetta Girolamo, in addition to a full-course Italian menu.
Period: February 22 (Sat) to 24 (Holiday), March 1 (Sat) to 2 (Sun)
* A talk show by Girolamo will be held only on February 24 (Holiday).
Time: Open for seating at 5:00 p.m., Dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Price: 18,000 yen (including tax)
Premium Tickets on Sale at Discount on Awaji Island
A set of 12 of 500 yen tickets that you can use during the Italian Fair at any of the Awaji Island West Coast facilities operated by Pasona Group is available at discount. A set of 6,000 yen value of tickets (500 yen x 12) can be purchased if you reserve by 12 noon one day in advance of the day you plan to use a ticket.
You will be able to pay and pick up the set of tickets at the Italian Fair Ticket Desk at Nojima Scuola and Ladybird Road.
Please note that reservation form below is only in Japanese.
Period of ticket use: February 22 (Sat) to March 2 (Sun)
