In the modern era, technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, and, notably, travel. The reliance on paper maps and guidebooks has significantly decreased as many digital tools and platforms have emerged, reshaping the travel landscape. This paradigm shift is enhancing a travel to Awaji Island as well, with an Avatar Concierge and e-Awaji Islander, a virtual Awaji Island experience. Let us show you how you can enjoy a visit to Awaji Island more with enhanced technological tools.
Table of Contents
- Using Travel Technology on Awaji Island
- Enhance Your Visit to Awaji Island with Recommendations by an Avatar Concierge
- Awaji Island is a Hidden Gem offering Stunning Nature and Delectable Gourmet Foods
- Sajiki at Aman no Shokutaku on Awaji Island where You Can Savor Awaji Beef
- Farm-to-Table Restaurant, Haru San San, where Vegetables Take a Center Stage on Awaji Island
- An Ocean Front Japanese Restaurant, SEIKAIHA Aonoya, for Sushi and Tempura Lovers
- A perfect Way to Experience a Visit to Awaji Island Virtually
- Why Should One Use a Travel Technology?
- Closing
Using Travel Technology on Awaji Island
Awaji Island Avatar Concierge
Awaji Island is embracing travel technology by exploring the use of avatar technology to elevate travel experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the integration of human and digital interactions in customer service, encouraging businesses to adopt avatar technology for remote assistance. While avatars enable remote customer service, some operations still necessitate on-site staffing, emphasizing the importance of blending digital and human resources in various industries.
On Awaji Island, where tourism is essential for the local economy, Pasona Group on Awaji has teamed up with AVITA Corporation to introduce the travel technology “Avatar Work Service”, recognizing its potential to make customer service more efficient. By using the avatar technology, businesses on Awaji Island can offer remote assistance to visitors, even in hard-to-reach areas.
From the travelers’ perspectives, the avatar travel technology presents a valuable service, allowing travelers to engage with a virtual concierge on all aspects of their trip to Awaji Island. This virtual assistant seamlessly aids in trip planning before arrival, facilitates restaurant reservations, and provides continuous consultation during your stay. Whether you require guidance on optimal travel routes, suggestions for memorable dining experiences, or any other inquiry, the informed avatar concierge is prepared to address all your needs.
Implemented through staffing or outsourcing arrangements, the Avatar Work Service utilizes AVITA Corporation’s cutting-edge avatar technology and Pasona’s skilled avatar operators. These operators control avatars displayed on monitors and communicate with customers via audio microphones, providing adaptable and lifelike customer service. Additionally, the service can modify operators’ voices, ensuring smooth communication and empowering individuals to excel as avatar operators.
Try talking with an Avatar Concierge on Awaji Island West Coast website on your mobile or PC.
Enhance Your Visit to Awaji Island with Recommendations by an Avatar Concierge
Our Avatar Concierge can help you plan your trip to Awaji Island by providing information and recommendations. First, let her tell you what sets apart Awaji Island from other popular destinations in Japan. Then, she will be happy to recommend restaurants where you can experience a top notch Awaji Island local specialties.
Awaji Island is a Hidden Gem offering Stunning Nature and Delectable Gourmet Foods
Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture is located in the Seto Inland Sea , just one hour drive from Osaka and 30-min. drive from Kobe with an easy access by an express bus from Kobe-Sannomiya and other major transportation hubs. Unlike other well-known touristic destinations, Awaji Island offers more relaxing atmosphere where you can see and do things without waiting on a long line!
Awaji Island is known as a birthplace of Japan according to the legend written in ancient historical records, offering many historical sites, perfect for cultural enthusiasts. Awaji Island also offers many traditional arts and crafts where you can enjoy a performance or experience craft making including a traditional puppeteering (“Ningyo Jyoruri”), incense making and tile making. These three art/crafts are unique to Awaji Island.
The island is also called “Miketsukuni”, a land of royal provisions since ancient times, based on its history of providing seafoods and produce to the imperial court. This historical fact proves how fresh and delectable local ingredients are even now. For those who love to eat (is it everyone?), Awaji Island is a must-visit place. Awaji Beef and Awaji Onion are especially appreciated by both Japanese and inbound visitors.
Onions are renowned for their delightful sweetness and tender texture. You can even bite it raw just like you eat an apple. Awaji Beef, known also as “Phantom Beef” belongs to “Tajima gyu (cow)”, a type of Japanese cows, which a famous Kobe Beef also belongs. Only a handful of cows that met specific and stringent criteria are called “Awaji Beef” or “Kobe Beef” depending on kinds of criteria.
Sajiki at Aman no Shokutaku on Awaji Island where You Can Savor Awaji Beef
At Sajiki on 2F of Aman no Shokutaku, Awaji beef is served in a Teppanyki style and sukiyaki. At a grill in front of your eyes, a Chef cooks Awaji Beef, seafood and vegetables in a dynamic style. A chef’s cooking is like a performing art, grilling beef to a perfect texture and color, enabling your dining to be a true gourmet 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 |
Click here for details of Aman no Shokutaku
Farm-to-Table Restaurant, Haru San San, where Vegetables Take a Center Stage on Awaji Island
Haru San San on Awaji Island is an eco-friendly restaurant housed in a sustainable building, using locally grown produce. Some of them are grown in the farm right in front of the restaurant!
The architecture with a thatched roof and paper tubes is a masterpiece designed by Shigeru Ban, a winner of Pritzker Architecture Award.
Each course uses many fresh vegetables cooked in a various way to make each ingredient tasted at its best stage. During winter, they have a hot drink using ginger which keeps your body warm from inside. They also have a sweet potato latte that adds sweet potato puree to expresso, topping with grazed sugar. Sweets and drinks using sweet potatoes are popular and trendy in Japan every winter.
| Name | Farmer’s Restaurant – Haru San San |
|---|---|
| Address | 1510-4 Nojima-tokiwa Aza Genpachi, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1726 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9082 |
| Operation Hours | 11:00-18:00（L.O.17:00） |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Website | https://www.awaji-nlr.com/harusansan |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/noukarestaurant-haru-sansan/reserve |
Click here for details of Haru San San
An Ocean Front Japanese Restaurant, SEIKAIHA Aonoya, for Sushi and Tempura Lovers
The exciting point about SEIKAIHA Aonoya is that all the seats are tiered as in a theater setting, enabling every guest to be mesmerized by an amazing ocean view through floor-to-ceiling windows as well as preparations by chefs at an open kitchen right in front of your eyes.
Menus emphasize sushi and tempura but certainly include other dishes such as grilled seafoods and baked vegetables. Delectable courses use seasonal ingredients such as 3-year Tiger Blowfish in winter and other seafoods and produce harvested locally. “Aonoya Gozen” which comes in a beautiful set of wooden boxes in addition to wonderful ceramic plates offer every dishes you imagined as Japanese cuisine. A popular “omakase”, a full-course dinner which a chef picks the best on that day, is also offered. Please note this dinner requires an one-day in advance reservation.
| Name | SEIKAIHA - Aonoya |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9020 |
| Website | https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d21197787-Reviews-Seikaiha_Aonoya-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Operating Hours | 11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays |
Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Aonoya
A perfect Way to Experience a Visit to Awaji Island Virtually
e-Awaji Islander
Traveling to Awaji Island has historically posed challenges, particularly in transportation, despite significant improvements in recent years. To address this ongoing issue, Awaji Island has embraced travel technology through the introduction of e-Awaji Islander.
This innovative approach involves participants becoming “Virtual Islanders”, engaging in a variety of activities and events that showcase the island’s unique charm across themes like “food, culture, education, health, and leisure” in both real and virtual realms.
Real-world events tailored for Virtual Islanders focus on showcasing Awaji Island’s allure across various themes, providing opportunities for immersive experiences. Additionally, virtual events are organized to accommodate those who may find it difficult to visit Awaji Island in person, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all interested participants.
To further enhance community engagement with travel technology, Awaji Island has launched a Virtual Community portal exclusively for Virtual Islanders. This platform facilitates online interaction through an “Online Community,” where participants can connect and access a metaverse space inspired by Awaji Island.
Here, they can create their avatars and partake in a wide range of virtual events and simulations, offering a glimpse into the island’s offerings from anywhere in the world. Despite the platform primarily being in Japanese, this represents a promising aspect of Awaji Island’s travel technology development.
Why Should One Use a Travel Technology?
Travel technology encompasses a wide range of digital solutions aimed at simplifying and enriching the travel journey. From online booking platforms and navigation apps to chatbots, these innovations have revolutionized how we plan, book, and experience travel.
The importance of travel technology cannot be overstated in today’s fast-paced world, where efficiency and convenience are the keys. By using travel technology, travelers can research destinations, compare prices, book accommodation, and access essential information with unprecedented ease and speed.
Travel Technology’s Future Prospect
The prospect of travel technology in the future is exceptionally promising, with continual advancements poised to reshape the entire travel industry. These advancements include a wide array of innovations such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain technology. Through these innovations, travelers can expect more personalized experiences, streamlined booking processes, enhanced safety measures, and greater sustainability efforts.
Closing
Awaji Island stands out as a place that harmoniously blends traditional values with technological innovation, rendering it a truly distinctive destination. As technology continues to progress, Awaji Island will leverage various travel technology tools to enhance the experiences of its visitors. Awaji Island is where you can dine, enjoy historical sites, and have culture experiences without crowds, a perfect destination for those who are looking for something different from major touristic spots.
