Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park

Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park is located in the northern hilly region of Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and is one of the largest comprehensive parks on Awaji Island. Planning and development began in 1977, with the first sections opening to the public in 1985. Today, the park covers more than 87 hectares and features extensive forests, grasslands, gardens, and recreational facilities. Combining natural ecology, tourism, leisure activities, and family-oriented attractions, it has become one of the island’s most important destinations, welcoming approximately two million visitors each year.

Situated on elevated terrain overlooking the Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay, the park offers expansive views of the surrounding region. On clear days, visitors can enjoy spectacular vistas of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, along with distant views of Kobe and the Osaka Bay area. After sunset, the glittering city lights combined with the night sky make the park one of Awaji Island’s most popular scenic spots for evening viewing.

The park is divided into several themed zones. One of the most prominent is the “Awaji Highway Oasis Area,” which is directly connected to the Awaji Service Area, allowing travelers to access the park conveniently from the expressway. This area features beautifully landscaped flower valleys and the large Oasis Hall, which houses restaurants, cafés, and shops selling local Awaji Island specialties, making it a popular place to relax and shop during a journey.

The “Forest Area” preserves extensive woodland environments, with winding walking trails passing through forests and connecting observation plazas, hydrangea valleys, and open woodland spaces. Visitors can experience Awaji Island’s rich natural ecosystem throughout the year, from fresh green foliage in spring and cool shaded paths in summer to vibrant autumn colors in the fall.

The “Interaction Area” is particularly popular with families. It features large wooden playground structures, water play facilities, and expansive lawns. Attractions such as giant slides and pirate-themed play equipment provide children with plenty of opportunities for active recreation, while parents can relax and enjoy picnics on the surrounding grassy fields.

Opened in 2011, the “Grassland and Flower Area” focuses on natural vegetation and landscape design. It showcases many native Awaji Island plant species and includes observation decks, cherry blossom promenades, and wide-open lawns, creating a spacious and comfortable outdoor environment.

In recent years, the park’s most talked-about attraction has been Nijigen no Mori, which opened in 2017. This immersive theme park combines anime, video games, and natural landscapes, integrating popular Japanese franchises into the surrounding forests and outdoor spaces. Attractions based on series such as Naruto, Godzilla, Crayon Shin-chan, and Dragon Quest have attracted fans from across Japan and around the world.

Together with nearby Awaji Yumebutai and Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park forms one of the core components of the “Awaji Island International Park City” concept, a region dedicated to tourism, recreation, ecology, and cultural development.