Awaji Island

An island located on the eastern side of the Seto Inland Sea. The island is famous for the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, and for the Naruto whirlpools, said to be the biggest whirlpools in the world. There's also a hot spring district with numerous bathhouses and inns where visitors can stay or enjoy a day trip at the baths. The island is known as Miketsu-kuni (a food treasure trove) known for having supplied numerous tasty foodstuffs and dishes to the Imperial court since ancient times. The island's Awaji beef, the progenitor breed of famous Matsusaka beef, strikes an exquisite balance between rich fat and meat. Japanese spiny lobster, an exquisite delicacy, is in season on the island from summer through fall.