An island said to be where Japan began. From farming and fishing to incense, pottery, and more, Awaji brings together the crafts and flavors that define Japan, all on one island.
Japan in miniature,
between Kansai and Shikoku.
between Kansai and Shikoku.
AWAJI
ISLAND
ISLAND
An island said to be where Japan began. From farming and fishing to incense, pottery, and more, Awaji brings together the crafts and flavors that define Japan, all on one island.
Japan in miniature,
between Kansai and Shikoku.
between Kansai and Shikoku.
AWAJI
ISLAND
ISLAND
Awaji in a Few Words
Once known as Miketsukuni, Awaji Island supplied food to Japan's Imperial Court. Today, its food self-sufficiency rate exceeds 100%, thanks to its fertile farmland, diverse agricultural produce, and abundant seafood.
THE ISLAND THAT FED EMPERORS
Awaji
in a Few Words
in a Few Words
Awaji in
a Few Words
a Few Words
On Awaji, centuries-old incense and tile-making traditions live on, while a new generation of artists brings pottery and indigo dyeing to the island.
AN ISLAND THAT STILL MAKES THINGS
Just a short trip from Kobe or Osaka, Awaji Island offers a completely different pace of life, with farms, fishing villages, and small local communities to explore.
Close to the city,
but completely different in pace
but completely different in pace
Close to the city, but completely different in pace
Awaji is for You if
Awaji is
for You if
for You if
You prefer spending two days understanding one place rather than seeing ten attractions.
You enjoy rural landscapes and small communities.
You want to meet craftspeople and producers.
You travel for food rather than famous landmarks.
AWAJI ISLAND IS JUST
30 MINUTES FROM KOBE by car
30 MINUTES FROM KOBE by car
Getting to
Awaji Island
Awaji Island
Getting to
Awaji Island
Awaji Island
Getting to Awaji Island
AWAJI ISLAND IS JUST 30 MINUTES FROM KOBE by car
Renting a car is the easiest option. Farms, workshops, restaurants and coastal spots are spread across the island.
With a Car
Getting around Awaji
Without a Car
No car? Base yourself in one area (for example Sumoto), use local buses + taxis, or join a local tour to reach places that are harder to access independently.
Awaji Island
Iwaya
,
Port
Highway Bus
~50 MIN to NORTHERN AWAJI
~80 MIN to SUMOTO
~90 Min to FUKURA
~50 MIN to NORTHERN AWAJI
~80 MIN to SUMOTO
~90 Min to FUKURA
→
Awaji Island
Kobe-Sannomiya Station
Highway Bus
~50 MIN to NORTHERN AWAJI, ~80 MIN to SUMOTO, ~90 Min to FUKURA
~50 MIN to NORTHERN AWAJI, ~80 MIN to SUMOTO, ~90 Min to FUKURA
Kobe Airport
Awaji Island
→
Public transport or Car
~45 Min
~45 Min
Akashi Port
→
Passenger Ferry
~13 Min
~13 Min
Awaji Island
→
Kansai Airport
Public transport or Car
~1.5 h
~1.5 h
Highway Bus
~105 MIN to SUMOTo
~105 MIN to SUMOTo
Shin-Kobe station
Awaji Island
→
By Ferry
By Bus
From the Airport
AWAJI ISLAND IS JUST
30 MINUTES FROM KOBE by car
30 MINUTES FROM KOBE by car
Iwaya Port, Awaji Island
Meet the People of Awaji
Meet
the People
of Awaji
the People
of Awaji
Meet the
People of Awaji
People of Awaji
Husband-and-wife team behind local pottery studio Awabiware, creating colorful everyday tableware inspired by Awaji’s pottery traditions.
Junichi & Hiroko Okamoto
Local coordinator at Shimato Works who connects visitors with Awaji’s farmers, makers, bars, and communities through food, conversation, and everyday island life.
Masae "Shige-chan" Tokushige
Awaji-born chef from a fishing family, serving the island’s local seafood and produce at his one-group-per-day auberge, Kairi.
MiChIru Okano
Family farmer in Minamiawaji growing the island’s famous onions.
Tetsuji "Tetchan" Hamada
Fourth-generation incense maker in Ei, the heart of Awaji’s incense-making tradition.
Takayuki Yano
Incense, Port Towns &
the Western Coast
the Western Coast
Three Days on Awaji
Begin in Ei, the place where Awaji's incense-making tradition started, then wander through the old port area, meet some of the local producers, and finish the day by the sea.
Incense, Port Towns & the Western Coast
Three Days on Awaji
Three Days
on Awaji
on Awaji
Go south to Yura to get a taste of Awaji's fishing culture, see Narugashima, and then proceed to Sumoto to explore its old streets, local shops, and enjoy a stay at an onsen.
Fishing Villages &
Island Life
Island Life
Fishing Villages & Island Life
On the last day in Tsui—the main area for Awaji kawara production, a craft with several centuries of history. Meet the craftsmen, try making an onigawara (decorative tile), and see how this industry still influences life on the island.
Kawara & the Craft of Southern Awaji
Kawara & the Craft of Southern Awaji
Places to Stay
Places to Stay
Places to Stay
Experience
Awaji
With Us
Awaji
With Us
Experience
Awaji With Us
Awaji With Us
Experience Awaji With Us
Our Awaji experiences were created together with people who live and work on the island. Rather than moving quickly between sightseeing spots, they are designed around conversations, food, craft and time spent inside local communities.
Step onto the island where, according to legend, Japan was born. Experience incense-making workshop, local fish market auction, farmhouse lunch, a hidden Tadao Ando temple, and more.
Awajishima, Hyogo・
2D1N or Day Trip
2D1N or Day Trip
Awajishima, Hyogo・2D1N or Day Trip
More Tours Coming Soon
Awajishima, Hyogo
Try hands-on Japanese crafts near Kyoto and Osaka — pottery, washi paper making, kawara tiles and blacksmithing, all an easy day trip away.
Skip the crowds in Kyoto and Nara — these day trips from Osaka lead to hidden towns, hot springs and countryside scenery most visitors never see.
Visit Tamaki Niime's textile studio in Nishiwaki, Hyogo, where traditional Banshu-ori weaving meets modern slow fashion in the Japanese countryside.
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