Discover
Awaji Island
, the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Awaji is a great day trip from Osaka especially for those interested in modern architecture and beautiful gardens. Experience the Tadao Ando designed
Westin Awaji Island Resort & Conference Center
and the Tadao Ando-designed
Water Temple (Honpukuji),
a peaceful complex surrounded by Awaji's bamboo covered hills and rice fields.
Enjoy a drive on the
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge,
the world's longest suspension bridge. Also visit
Awaji Hanasajiki
, a huge flower garden, which occupies an area the size of four baseball stadiums and is a beautiful flower viewing site. Located on a hill, enjoy a vast expanse of colorful blooms set against the backdrop of Osaka Bay.
Nearby Osaka, experience the
Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum,
also designed by Tadao Ando and dedicated to one of Japan's best-known and loved authors. Explore Ryotaro's house and study as well, which includes a bookshelf of 20,000 books.