Awaji Island located in the Seto Inland Sea is a popular resort island in the Kansai area, just one hour away from Osaka and 30 min. from Kobe by car/public transportation. The island is a perfect destination for those who are looking for a day trip or a relaxing overnight trip after visiting other major destinations in Japan.
Now, you have planned a trip to Awaji Island, but then it rains. Here are some cafes and restaurants that will make you feel glad you came to Awaji Island even on such a day.
Table of Contents
1) Open-Air BBQ with Table Grill
Craft Circus Kaiou Ichiba
At Craft Circus’ Kaiou Ichiba restaurant you can enjoy fresh seafood on your own compact grill. The terrace seating is covered, so it is safe to enjoy even in the rain. The seafood is as fresh as it gets, prepared on the spot directly from the tank. Relax and enjoy the smell of seafood BBQing at your table with the ocean view spreading out before you.
Here you can also get one of our six types of donburis (rice bowls) made using fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. We recommend the extra-large Kaisen Mabushi-don (rice bowl with seafood on top), which weighs 1 kg, to those who want to fully enjoy their trip to Awaji Island.
Special offers are available on rainy days. The Craft Kitchen next door sells fries and pizzas that children love. You can also take these Craft Kitchen foods to Kaiou Ichiba. Craft Circus stands on the seaside on the west coast of Awaji Island and is a popular complex for its diverse offerings and open terrace seating.
| 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
2) American Food by the Sea
miele the DINER
At miele the DINER, you can enjoy a burger by the ocean even on a rainy day. The front deck has sliding window panels that can be used to enjoy the ocean view while being protected from the rain. The menu features mainly American-style food.
We recommend a juicy hamburger meal. The restaurant’s bright and open design give it a resort atmosphere. Next door is HELLO KITTY SMILE, an attraction where you can meet Hello Kitty, that is very popular with adults and children alike. It is a great place to spend a rainy day.
| Name | miele the DINER |
|---|---|
| Address | 985-1, Nojima Hikinora, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| TEL | 0799-70-9123 |
| Official Web Site | https://miele-the-diner.com/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/miele-the-diner/reserve |
| Operation Hours | 1F : 11:00 a.m. ~8:00 p.m.（L.O.7:30 p.m.） 2F : 11:00 a.m.~7:00 p.m.（L.O.6:30 p.m.） |
| Closed | Tuesdays (Open if it is a holiday) |
3) Japanese Western Cuisine in Vintage Luxury
SEIKAIHA Uminoya
At Uminoya, you can retreat from the rain into an elegant café and restaurant serving Japanese Meiji Era “Western Cuisine”. Warm up with a coffee and a pastry during café time. The restaurant is famous for their decadent desserts. The most popular are the velvety retro pudding and zuccotto cake with its fresh cream and seasonal fruits. Full-course meals can also be enjoyed for lunch or dinner and are in the Western style.
Live music is performed daily by professional pianists and violinist. Even on a rainy day, the seaside seats offer a spectacular view of the Harimanada Sea. Uminoya is the perfect rainy-day retreat for those wanting to enjoy refinement and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
| Name | SEIKAIHA - Uminoya |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9020 |
| Operation Hours | 11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 14:00~17:00 (Café time) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays |
| Website | https://awaji-seikaiha.com/uminoya/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d23580734-Reviews-Seikaiha_Uminoya-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Uminoya
4) Japanese Cuisine In Relaxing Atmosphere
Aman No Shokutaku Utage
At Utage, even on a rainy day, you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine using plenty of Awaji ingredients in an open space. You can enjoy the “Yamazakura” full-course meal, which uses traditional Japanese cooking techniques, or the innovative “Carnation” full-course meal, which weaves Western culture into the cuisine.
The spacious dining room is gorgeously decorated with Japanese drums and lanterns. Through the windows of the restaurant with its gorgeous one-piece wood tables, you can look out onto the Japanese garden, stunning through all four seasons. The rainy sky enhances the luxurious atmosphere for a relaxing dining experience.
Click here for reservations Utage Click here for reservations Sajiki
| Name | Aman no Shokutaku １F Utage ２F Sajiki |
|---|---|
| Address | 1042 Nojima-Tokiwa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1726 |
| Tel | "Utage” 0799-70-9089 “Sajiki” 0799-70-9090 |
| Operation Hours | “Utage”: Weekdays 11:00~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) / Sat., Sun. & Holidays 10:30~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) “Sajiki” 11:00~15:00 / 17:00~21:00 (L.O.19:30) Closed: Tuesdays |
| Website | https://amannoshokutaku.jp/ |
| Reservations: Utage | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-utage/reserve |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
| Review: Utage | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d24037141-Reviews-Aman_No_Shokutaku_Utage-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
Click here for details of Aman no Shokutaku
5) Gastronomic French Cuisine in an Elegant Space
Auberge French Forest“
Spend your rainy day at Auberge “French Forest”, enjoying authentic French cuisine and viewing the beautiful rain-soaked forest through the windows. The “French Forest” offers three different French style restaurants with elegant interiors. Each building centers around a unique culinary fusion, but they all utilize fresh Awaji Island seasonal ingredients.
Guests can choose between La Rose, which offers a marriage of Japanese and French cuisine; Grand Baobab, a French and Italian restaurant that makes the most of the ingredients; and Prince Etoile, a new type of French restaurant that fuses the traditional cuisine of the Basque Country.
| Name | Auberge “French Forest” |
|---|---|
| Address | 2593-8 Kusumoto Aza Banaka, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| TEL | La Rose 0799-70-6062 Prince Etoile 0799-70-6061 Grand Baobab 0799-70-6063 |
| Website | https://frenchnomori.jp/ |
| Reservations | https://frenchnomori.jp/reservation/ |
| Hotel Reservation | https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/aubergehurentinosen.ja.html |
| Operation Hours | Lunch – 11:30~15:30 (Last Entry: 13:00) Dinner – 17:30~21:30 (Last Entry: 19:00) |
| Menu | A Full-Course Lunch ￥7,000～/ A Full-Course Dinner ￥10,000～ |
Click here for details of Auberge “French Forest”
Closing
Traveling on a rainy day can throw off your plans and ruin your excitement. However, Awaji Island is dotted with excellent cafés and restaurants that will make your rainy day enjoyable. Enjoying a delicious meal and a warm drink, listening to the sounds of rain blending with live piano is a special experience that can’t be had on a sunny day. We hope that this guide will help you find a place where you can have a memorable time, regardless of what the weather is like outside.
