• Awaji Hanasajiki (あわじ花さじき): A hillside flower garden with panoramic views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Features yellow canola in spring, sunflowers in summer, cosmos in fall — and best of all, it's free! • Naruto Whirlpools Boat Tour: Departing from Fukura Port in the south, cruise boats take you directly above the world-famous Naruto Strait whirlpools. Best during spring and fall "o-shio" (large tide) periods. • Izanagi Shrine (伊弉諾神宮): One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dedicated to the gods said to have created the Japanese archipelago. A powerful spiritual landmark. • Onokoro Island Shrine: Features one of Japan's three largest torii gates (21.7 meters) and is known as a love and marriage power spot. • Miracle Seikatsukan Botanical Garden: A tropical dome greenhouse with seasonal flowers and a famous Ferris wheel visible from afar.

• Awaji Island Onions: Awaji Island produces approximately 15% of Japan's onions — famous for their exceptional sweetness and low pungency. Try onion soup, grilled whole onion, or the famous Awaji Island Onion Burger. • Fresh Seafood: Surrounded by the rich fishing grounds of Osaka Bay and Naruto Strait, the island offers excellent sea bream (tai), octopus, sea urchin, and Naruto brand sea bream (鳴門鯛). • Awaji Beef: Awaji Island-raised black wagyu — more affordable than Kobe Beef but equally high quality. Try at the island's farm-direct restaurants. • Hamo (Dagger-tooth Pike Conger): A summer delicacy — fresh hamo is a Kyoto cuisine staple but the Awaji Island version, served as shabu-shabu or tempura, is equally refined.

By Car (recommended): • From Kobe: Cross Akashi Kaikyo Bridge → Awaji IC: approx. 30 minutes • From Osaka: approx. 60 minutes via Hanshin Expressway By Highway Bus: • Sannomiya (Kobe) → Awaji Bus Stop: 35 minutes, ¥830 • Osaka Umeda → Sumoto/Fukura: 90-120 minutes, ¥1,600–2,300 By Ferry (Akashi Port → Iwaya Port): • 13 minutes crossing, multiple sailings per day, ¥530 per person Getting Around: A car or rental car is strongly recommended as public transport on the island is limited. Rental cars are available at Awaji IC and at Sumoto City.

Day 1 (North to Center): • Cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from Kobe • Stroll Maiko Park (Kobe side) for bridge views • Awaji Hanasajiki flower garden (free) • Nojima Fault Memorial Park (1995 earthquake exhibits) • Awaji Island Beef BBQ lunch • Sumoto Castle Ruins walk • Check in to Sumoto Onsen ryokan Day 2 (South Island): • Morning drive to south tip • Naruto Whirlpool Boat Tour (Fukura Port) • Onokoro Island Shrine • Fresh seafood lunch at Minami-Awaji roadside station • Sunset at Keino Matsubara beach • Return to Kobe via Akashi Kaikyo Bridge