Awaji Island, located in the Seto Inland Sea is the largest island in the region, and certainly the biggest draw for any gourmet. Throughout history, Awaji has been renowned as “Miketsukuni,” as its abundant seafood and other produce have been offered to the Imperial Court over the centuries. In this Food travel article we would like to introduce the local specialties of Awaji Island and where you can go and eat them. Make sure to check out our list of itineraries to plan a perfect Awaji trip for you and your companions!
Table of Contents
- Sushi and Tempura at Japanese Restaurant, SEIKAIHA Aonoya
- Awaji Beef at the buffet restaurant, Ocean Terrace
- French Cuisine at the luxurious, Auberge French Forest Restaurants
- Seafood dishes and seafood barbecue at the seaside restaurant, CRAFT CIRCUS – Kaioh Ichiba
- Italian cuisine at the former elementary school, Nojima Scuola-Ristorante Scuola
- American dishes at the Relaxing Seafood Diner, miele the DINER
- Delicious cuisine from around the world at the outdoor resort, Awaji Chef’s Garden by PASONA
- Teppanyaki cuisine at the restaurant, Aman no Shokutaku-Sajiki
- Summary
Sushi and Tempura at Japanese Restaurant, SEIKAIHA Aonoya
SEIKAIHA Aonoya is a restaurant specializing in sushi and tempura using fresh seafood and produce harvested on Awaji Island. It is located at the complex which houses restaurants and theater right in front of the beautiful Inland Sea. All the seats are tiered like a theater, offering an amazing ocean view through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows from every seat. The sunset on this west coast of Awaji Island is especially memorable, being selected as one of the “Top 100 Sunsets in Japan”. What gourmet wouldn’t want to experience that?
Japanese cuisine is known for its artistic presentation and health-conscious preparation of ingredients. Aonoya’s menu is no exception. “Aonoya Gozen” includes sushi, tempura, broiled dishes, boiled dishes, soup and more many more. If you would like to try small portions of every kind of traditional Japanese dish, this is perfect for you. Every dish on the menu is made with freshly caught local fish and seafood and produce harvested in the nearby fields. Whatever the choice you make, you won’t be disappointed.
| 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
Awaji Beef at the buffet restaurant, Ocean Terrace
Awaji Beef might not be as well-known as Kobe Beef outside of Japan, however, Awaji Island is known as a one of the biggest production areas of “Tajima Ushi (cow)”, one of the highest grade cows among “Kuroge Wagyu (Japanese Black breed of cattle). Only those which have passed the strict criteria among “Tajima Ushi” are allowed to be named “Awaji Beef”. As few as 150 to 200 cows are on a market per year. Kobe Beef, also listed as one of the Tajima Ushi, have met the very strict standards too.
The perfect restaurant to enjoy the gourmet Awaji Beef at, is Ocean Terrace. The restaurant, beautifully appointed facing the ocean, allows you to be mesmerized by the spectacular unspoiled view as you dine. The sunset is truly exceptional and, as mentioned above, is selected as one of the “Top 100 Sunsets in Japan”.
Ocean Terrace was the first “self-grill”-style steakhouse in Japan. You can roast the meat as you like on a lava stone grill while you appreciate the amazing view. The restaurant also offers a buffet style menu with cold dishes, hot dishes, salad, meat dishes and desserts, all using super fresh local ingredients. What a wonderful way to experience the gourmet food of Awaji Island.
| 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.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d17354212-Reviews-Ocean_Terrace-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| 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
French Cuisine at the luxurious, Auberge French Forest Restaurants
Auberge “French Forest” is a restaurant inn where you can dine and drink without worrying about driving back home. You have the option of staying overnight, and in luxury too. Dining without staying overnight is of course okay too.
At Auberge “French Forest”, you can immerse yourself in a Ghibli-like world every bit as magical as Miyazaki’s masterpieces. The very interesting part of ‘French Forest’ is that there are actually three auberge (restaurant inn) nestling next to each other, each offering different styles of French cuisine: one with notes of Japanese cuisine at La Rose, one fused with Basque cuisine at Prince Etoile, and the third fused with Italian cuisine at Grand Baobab.
All three restaurants at Auberge “French Forest” use fresh and seasonal produce, meat and seafood sourced and harvested locally. It is indubitably French cuisine, but one can truly savor the gourmet flavors of Awaji Island here.
| 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/ |
| 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”
Seafood dishes and seafood barbecue at the seaside restaurant, CRAFT CIRCUS – Kaioh Ichiba
Take a seat by the sea, and gaze into the deepest blue, while enjoying a vast tabletop seafood BBQ. Take your pick of the fresh fish, prawns and more from the nearby fisherman’s market and savor every bite with delicious craft beer from regional breweries. Kaioh Ichiba is one of 2 restaurants in this pet-friendly complex that also holds a farmer’s market, Awaji Island souvenirs, an import boutique and a wishing bridge.
Italian cuisine at the former elementary school, Nojima Scuola-Ristorante Scuola
Treat yourself to fine dining from the vision of Chef Masayuki Okuda, recently selected as one of the world’s top 1000 chefs. At Ristorante, Chef Okuda brings advanced technique to the exceptional natural ingredients that have earned Awaji Island its well-deserved “Land of Food” status. If the timing is right, live music adds to the elegance of this wide open space looking out over the Seto Inland Sea and the sunset beyond.
| Name | Ristorante Scuola |
|---|---|
| Address | 843 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| TEL | 0799-82-1820 |
| Official Web Site | https://nojima-scuola.com/ristorante/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/nojima-scuola/reserve |
| Operation Hours | 11:30 a.m.~3:30 p.m. (in by 2:00 p.m. & L.O. 2:00 p.m.) 6:00 p.m.~9:30 p.m.(in by 7:30 p.m. & L.O. 7:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
American dishes at the Relaxing Seafood Diner, miele the DINER
Kick back and relax at this sunny seaside American-style diner housed within the Hello Kitty Smile complex. The view of sunlit ocean waves from the 2nd floor is breathtaking, while the first floor deck is the best spot for a lazy afternoon in the sun. From pancakes to cheeseburgers, all the classic favorites are here, but with local twists that make the most of locally grown ingredients. When you need a casual break from your busy day of nonstop fun on Awaji Island, head here!
| 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) |
Delicious cuisine from around the world at the outdoor resort, Awaji Chef’s Garden by PASONA
Not sure what to eat? This is the place for you. Chef’s Garden offers a staggering array of scrumptious choices from around the world, including cuisine from Japan, Brazil, China and more. Sitting right on the ocean, with a cool walkway along its length, stroll up and down until something catches your fancy. And with this much variety, you can guarantee it will.
| 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
Teppanyaki cuisine at the restaurant, Aman no Shokutaku-Sajiki
At Aman no Shokutaku-Sajiki, high up in the Awaji hills, a genuine Japanese culinary experience awaits you. Watch in wonder as your chef creates your meal right before your eyes teppanyaki-style. It’s more a performance than a preparation, your chef more an artiste than a chef, and succulant Awaji beef and fresh local vegetables to boot. The restaurant has the perfect ambiance, whether you’re there for a relaxing, casual meal, or you’re there to celebrate a special occasion.
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
Summary
We hope you have enjoyed this gourmet tour of the culinarily spectacular Awaji Island. We also hope our recommendations are helpful to you. Please be sure to check out our other articles on day trips itinerary for culinary delights and the truly delightful farm-to-table restaurant Haru San San. There are yet more places to see and enjoy on Awaji so make sure to browse our website to get the best idea of the places you want to visit. We are sure you will find something that is exactly to your liking.
