Awaji Yumebutai

Awaji Yumebutai is a large-scale multifunctional complex located in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Combining natural landscapes, architectural art, cultural activities, and resort facilities, the complex occupies a coastal hillside on the eastern shore of Awaji Island, offering panoramic views of Osaka Bay and the Akashi Strait. Thanks to its distinctive landscape design and striking architecture, it has become one of the island’s most iconic tourist destinations.

The site of Awaji Yumebutai was originally part of Mount Nada, a hill that once rose to approximately 160 meters above sea level. During the construction of Kansai International Airport, the area was extensively quarried for earth and stone, dramatically altering the natural landscape. Later, renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando initiated a major environmental restoration project based on the concept of “bringing nature back to life.” Through this vision, the former quarry was transformed into a cultural complex where architecture and ecology coexist, giving new life to the once-barren land.

Built along the natural contours of the hillside, the complex includes an international conference center, resort hotel, outdoor theater, exhibition spaces, and botanical facilities. Among its most famous features is the spectacular Hyakudan-en, or “Hundred-Step Garden,” which consists of one hundred terraced flower beds arranged in a geometric pattern. Filled with colorful seasonal flowers throughout the year, the garden creates a visually striking landscape. The orderly terraces, framed by views of both the sea and surrounding mountains, exemplify Ando’s signature approach of integrating exposed concrete, natural light, and the environment into a harmonious architectural composition.

The complex is also home to the Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum (“Miracle Planet Museum of Plants”), a large greenhouse showcasing tropical and subtropical plants from around the world, along with a variety of themed floral exhibitions. Whether for gardening enthusiasts or casual visitors, the museum offers an opportunity to experience the richness and beauty of global plant life.

Throughout Awaji Yumebutai, gardens, plazas, and architectural structures are connected by walkways, terraces, and elevated corridors, creating a spacious promenade-style environment designed for leisurely exploration. As visitors wander through the complex, they can enjoy ever-changing perspectives of the sea, the surrounding landscape, and the architecture while experiencing the harmonious coexistence of nature, culture, and art.

The site gained international recognition when it served as one of the principal venues for the Japan Flora 2000, held in 2000. Today, together with nearby attractions such as Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park and Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, Awaji Yumebutai forms part of the “Awaji Island International Park City” concept, serving as a major destination where tourism, recreation, ecology, and art come together.