Awajishima, an island in the Inland Sea known for its traditional puppet theater, stunning historical buildings and cutting edge Tadao Ando designed architecture, is an underrated destination with millennia of history. Since the island’s decline in the mid 20th century and its devastation by an earthquake in the 1990s, local leaders have led a tourism renaissance on Awajishima.
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A short jaunt from the cities of the Kansai region, Awajishima has always been historically important but was fairly sleepy until the opening of the suspension bridge over the Akashi Strait, which began bringing more visitors to the area. Many go for the kilometers of sandy beaches, the onsen, and to visit the castle and amusement park, but there are several other lesser known spots worth checking out.
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Watch Bunraku at Awaji Ningyo-Joruri Hall
![Watch Bunraku at Awaji Ningyo-Joruri Hall]()
Watch Bunraku at Awaji Ningyo-Joruri Hall
The traditional puppet theater of Awajishima is impossible to date but is thought to have been the fountainhead of the now more well known Osaka bunraku puppet theater. Through the first half of the 20th century, the artform declined as radio and television took over and the population of the island declined, but efforts to preserve puppet theater have been successful and there are now several theaters on the island.
![Watch Bunraku at Awaji Ningyo-Joruri Hall]()
Watch Bunraku at Awaji Ningyo-Joruri Hall
At the Awaji Ningyo-Joruri Hall, opened in 2012, there are daily performances of traditional plays and sketches. The interpretive center is the best place to start if you’re interested in knowing more about the artform. The stunning building sits not far from another architectural wonder: Honpukuji and Water Temple, designed by Tadao Ando.
- Awaji Puppet Theater
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4.5
50 Reviews -
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- Hyougo Pref. Minamiawajishi Fukura Kou 1528-1 ground point
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- 0799520260
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- 9:00-17:00 [Performance] 10…
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Board the Kanrinmaru
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Board the Kanrinmaru
Board the Kanrinmaru at Minami Awaji harbor for the Uzushio Cruise, a trip around the whirlpools created by the tidal forces of the Inland Sea and the Pacific. The whirlpools are impressive but the real attraction is the ship itself: the Kanrinmaru is a replica of a storied screw driven steam corvette manufactured for Japan by Dutch shipbuilders.
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Kunjudo
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Kunjudo
One of the famous products of the island is incense. The island still produces most of the incense used in Japan. In the 19th century, the residents of the island began producing their own blends of incense, using local and imported products. At Kunjudo in Taga, visitors can try their hand at making the local specialty.
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Kunjudo
Kunjudo is a factory producing incense for the domestic and international markets. A tour begins with an introduction to the production process and ends with the incense making experience. The tour and experience are a very reasonable 500 yen and you get to take home your own personal creation.
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Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
![Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park]()
Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park is a fine place to experience the island's stark beauty and impressive views, and this coastal green space is a good place to unwind. The Daichi no-niji Garden is beautiful in all seasons but especially early summer when the flowers are in bloom. If you’re traveling with kids, let them burn off some energy at the playground or Children's Forest, or rent a boat to explore Hana no Nakaumi Lake and the Terrace of Waterfalls. The park also contains Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum.
- Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
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4.5
159 Reviews -
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- Hyougo Pref. Awajishi Yumebutai 8-10
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- 0799722000
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- 9:30-17:00(Depends on the se…
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GRAND NIKKO AWAJI
2 Yumebutai, Awaji-shi Kobe Hyogo
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