The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is, with a length of almost four kilometers, the world's longest suspension bridge. Opened in 1998, it spans the Akashi Strait (Akashi Kaikyo) between Kobe and Awaji Island and is part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, one of three expressways which connect Honshu with Shikoku.

Whirlpools, Some of the Largest in the World. Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture is known for the “whirlpools of Naruto”, where countless whirlpools, both big and small, are seen on the surface of the strait. The name Naruto may remind many people of the popular comic “NARUTO”. Enjoy the whirlpools and all that Naruto has to offer, with a historic town, traditional crafts and local gourmet, this spot is a must see for visitors.

In Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park on Awaji Island, which is blessed with beautiful nature, you can enjoy seasonal flowers and plants all the year round. Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park is located in a picturesque seaside area surrounded by green nature.You can admire seasonal fowers throughout the year.

Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park/Nojima Fault Preservation Museum. ... Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park was built to preserve the memory of Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995. The park preserves a section of Nojima Fault, which was exposed by the earthquake.

Awaji Hanasajiki, or Awaji Flower Gallery, is the flower park located on Awaji island in the south of Hyogo prefecture. It was opened as a venue for flowers of Awaji island in April 1998, the same time as the opening of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Various flowers bloom in all four seasons, and color the extensive area which covers an area of 15 hectares. Since Awaji Hanasajiki is located on a hill which is 235 to 298 meters above sea level, you will get a panoramic view with Osaka bay, Kansai International Airport and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from the observation deck.

Awaji Island is home to two treasures of modern architecture designed by Tadao Ando and built in the decade following the Great Hanshin Earthquake centered on the island. They are Yumebutai, a sprawling hotel/conference center/garden, and Honpukuji, the Water Temple. I visited the Water Temple in March 2016. The Water Temple is an excellent example of Ando's re-interpretation of the Japanese aesthetic. Surrounded by Awaji countryside of rice fields and bamboo woods, it blends into the setting. The first sign you are approaching a building is when you see a high concrete wall. A small red torii at one end signifies that this is a spiritual place.

Huge museum filled with reproduced Western Art The Otsuka Museum of Art was built in Naruto Park on the occasion of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group's 75th anniversary. It is the largest museum in Japan, featuring life-size reproductions of virtually every representative masterpiece of Western art from antiquity to the 20th century including works by Michelangelo, El Greco, Goya, Monet and Picasso.

Awaji Yumebutai is the site where earth was remove to build artificial islands in Osaka Bay such as the Kansai International Airport. The natural environment which was once destroyed by man has been returned to its original state and a place where various animals and plants exist has been created.