Awaji Island





On January 17. 1995, the Great Hanshin·Awaji Earthquake struck Kobe. Osaka and Awaji IsIand.We have learned many and varied lessons from that unprecedented experience. The wish of the residents of Hcltudarechn to hand down our experience and memories of the earthquake from adult to child and further down to people of future generations has been realized as the "Hokudan-cho Earthquake Memorial Park".


This tiny island only 20 m high 400 m around inspired an old Japanese poem' Waka’ in the Mariyu Waka poem book.


Awaji Yume Butai’ was opened to serve, initially, as the main zone of the International Gar- dening and Landscaping Exhibition ‘JAPAN FLORA 2000.’ This is a highly enjoyable facility with a well-tended green house, beautiful flowerbeds and charming gardens. ‘Awaji Hana—Sajiki` is a grand flower field stretch- lng approximately 16 hect- ares. Over two and half million flowers bloom here each season forming a de- lightful foreground to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Osaka Bay beyond.


This temple is the only zen temple of Obakushu in Awsjishima and was built in Kyoho 13 (1728) by zen priest, Sosan. It has various sliding door paintings and Nanga (Southern school Chinese paintings.)


It is the 67th place for pilgrims in Shikoku. It has a 13 roof pagoda supposedl made in Kamakura era, which stands in front of the gate and is appointed as a cultural asset of Hyogo Prefecture. There are other stone assets as the stone Gochinyorai Budha Statue and five root pagoda.


Parches Scent House is a recreational facility created under the theme of scents and smells. A whole day of relaxation can be enjoyed appreciat ing the refreshing scents of the herb garden, green house, herb cooking and scented hot-spring baths.


This has a wonderful view offering a panorama from following two points. First. you can see Soma and Mailto beaches of I-looshu over Akashi Channel in the near distance and second is, when you can see a gorgeous blue sky and sea and the coming and going of small and big boats through the channel.


Akashi Castle was built by Ogasawara Tadanobu in the early 17th century. The site of the castle is new the center of a beautiful garden park.	During the 12th century Hyogo was trading actively with China. Now, the Canon of Wada cape and the Great Buddha nf Hyogo stand as principle reminders of that time.


This is the best place for family outings for both spring cherry blossoms and autumn maple tree viewing seasons. If you watch floating clouds and listen to birds on the spacious greenery, you may feel you are in a different world. There is Fuclo Waterfall near the park. Because of being covered with a gigantic maple tree, it is also known as the ‘Maple Fall'.	This park’s speciality is the heart resting fragrance from greenery and trees. The 2.9 hectare park has a western herb garden with a fountain and observatiun deck, promenade of fragrance, Japanese apricot garden and cherry garden, About 1200 specimens of 23 kinds of herbs are planted. You may enjoy the aroma of thyme. peppermint and rosemary to the fullest.


The Awaji ‘Ningyo-Joruri’ (traditional puppet ballad drama) has a history going back about 500 years. This perfor- mance art is designated nation- ally as an intangible cultural asset and often performed over- seas as a representative form of Japanese culture. The Awaji Ningyo Joruri Museum displays dolls, props, tools and musical instruments such as the strin- ged ‘shamisen’ and drums. Visi- tors are allowed to try their hand at puppetry.	This temple belongs to the Shingon Sect of Mt. Koya and is also the 30th pilgrim temple among 88 Awaji 88 temples. The Wooden Yakushinyorai Buddha Statue is enshrined here and this shows the exact features of Fuiiwara ear sculpture and is a cultural asset of Japan.


Parche, a fragrant house in Awaji, is the institution made as a motto "tasting and enjoying a fragrance".	This beach facing Harimanada Sea is beautiful with colorful pebbles. The sea water is best for swimming and is really crowded in summer. Our hearty present fur you is this peace ful sunset viewing.


This 500 year old authentic theater was appointed as an intangible cultural asset. You may enjoy looking at its special stage set.	This is the 8th western style lighthouse in japan designed by a British architect in Meiji 4 (1871). It is located at the northemrnost Awaji shima, looking down on Akashi Channel. It is 8.27 meter high and composed of thick white granite.