Picturesque and soothing, a sunset in autumn is the perfect bookend to any day. Unlike the intense sunlight of summer, the soft, orange color of an autumn sunset comes with a gentle serenity.
From the west coast of Awaji Island, the view of the Harima Sea turns golden – and the many stripes of orange cast by the sun is akin to a Renaissance masterpiece. After a long day’s work and the hustle of daily life, picture yourself amidst the autumn sunset and feel peace and relaxation come over you.
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Awaji’s Sunsets Among the 100 Best Sunsets in Japan
Ranked as one of the Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets by the ‘Association for Creating a Town of Sunsets and Sunrises in the Japanese Archipelago’, you can catch one yourself from Awaji City and Minami Awaji City. Awaji also has a famed ‘Sunset Line’, a 40-km stretch running from north to south along Awaji’s west coast – a breathtaking and fantastic sight.
If you want to experience an Awaji Island sunset, there are many places you can check out on Awaji to make it an autumn day you’ll remember.
Calming and Elegant
SEIKAIHA Uminoya
Spend your evening at a classic Western dining experience where you can enjoy spectacular views as you face one of Japan’s best sunsets.
The elegant interior is adorned with antique furnishings reminiscent of a 19th century guest house. The menu features Western-style cuisine with an emphasis on local Awaji ingredients, including Awaji beef stew, hamburger steak, and Awaji onion soup.
Enhancing the atmosphere, professional musicians perform live daily on piano, saxophone, violin, and more. Every Friday night, the restaurant hosts a special “Musical & Opera Night,” allowing you to enjoy a romantic dinner while experiencing captivating opera performances.
| 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.tablecheck.com/en/shops/awaji-seikaiha/reserve |
Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Uminoya
Abandoned School Turned Dining Complex
Nojima Scuola
Nojima Scuola is a revitalized elementary school on Awaji Island that has been transformed into a vibrant complex. This unique facility features a market showcasing local specialties, a beloved bakery frequented by locals, a pet-friendly café, and an Italian restaurant focused on locally sourced ingredients.
On the second floor, Ristorante Scola, created by renowned chef Masayuki Okuda, offers a delightful dining experience with dishes made from local ingredients. While you savor your meal, you can also enjoy live music and watch the golden autumn sunset over the Harima Sea.
| 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 |
White Sands Amidst a Setting Sun
Keino-matsubara Beach
Located in Minami Awaji City, Keino-matsubara Beach is an unmissable sunset destination on Awaji Island. This picturesque location features white sands and lush green pines, with approximately 50,000 black pines stretching about 2.5 km. The stunning views of the setting sun over the Sea of Harima and Shodoshima Island make for a perfect backdrop. Take a moment to reflect on the summer’s bustle as you enjoy the tranquility of the autumn sunset.
Pets Can Enjoy The Sunset, Too
Craft Circus
With an ocean view at every seat, Craft Circus is a popular pet-friendly spot on Awaji Island allowing you to relax and enjoy your meal with your pet. There is also pet-friendly seating, a play area with artificial grass outside, and plenty of pet dishes.
Experience the pleasant sea breeze and the soft sunsets of Awaji Island from the terrace seating while enjoying Craft Circus’s famous Island Pizza and Awaji Island seafood BBQ.
| 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
A Luxurious Grilling Experience
Ocean Terrace
A truly special dining experience serving some of the finest beef in Japan, enjoy an oceanside view where you can self-serve roast your own cut of Awaji beef.
The restaurant also offers a buffet-style menu of ~30 different Awaji Island seasonal dishes where couples and friends can enjoy an ever-surprising culinary experience.
Oh, and on Saturday nights, live jazz performances are held – so why not enjoy the cozy autumn sunset while listening to live music?
| 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
Where Gourmet Awaji Foods Converge
Awaji Chef Garden by PASONA
Awaji Chef Garden by PASONA is an outdoor food court made up of colorful shipping containers along the Harima Sea.
With a wide selection of foods from hamburgers, seafood rice bowls, Chinese cuisine, curry, and more, Awaji Chef Garden is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy a spectacular view of the sunset with your friends.
Sitting right on the coast of Awaji Island, and with a focus on outdoor seating, it is our most recommended spot for those who want to enjoy an Awaji sunset.
| 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. |
