
Kobe Travel Guide
A Complete Guide to Kobe City!
There are three main routes connecting Honshu and Shikoku. Each route includes large and beautiful bridges, and crossing those bridges is one of the pleasures of the trip in itself. This article will introduce you to the special bridge crossing experience and highlights of each route!
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge connects Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture with Awaji Island. The bridge is the world's longest suspension bridge with 3,911 meters at full length and 1,991 meters distance between the two main towers. The main towers that support the wires that suspend the bridge body are 300 meters high!
UA panoramic view from the world’s longest suspension bridge.
Visit backstage the traditional art of the “Awaji Ningyo Joruri” puppet show.
You can watch and learn Awa Odori, a dance that attracts 1.2 million people, whenever you like!
A Great Highway Rest Stop Filled with Fun Sites, Including a Magnificent View of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, a Ferris Wheel, and a Monument for Lovers.
Enjoy Media Art of Hello Kitty and the Ocean, as Well as the Delicious Foods and Scenery of Awaji Island.
An outdoor theme park for two-dimensional anime and manga art in wild nature.
A Unique Main Temple Hall Underneath a Lotus Pond! A Mysterious Temple Filled with Natural Light.
A Facility Complex with Beautiful Scenery that Combines Nature and Modern Architecture.
A Museum with accurate reproductions of masterpiece arts from across the world.
An ocean view grill restaurant serving rare Awaji beef and offering one of the "100 best sunsets in Japan.”
A restaurant for outstanding Kobe beef, with a beautiful view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
Enjoy Authentic Japanese Cuisine while Looking Over a Stunning Garden, the Ocean, and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
A scenic restaurant that serves a special selection of the dishes available only here and only now!
The Great Seto Bridge system connects Okayama Prefecture on Honshu to Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku island. Of this bridge series, the Kita Bisan-Seto Bridge allows visitors to climb to the top of the tower. From the top, 175 meters above sea level, there is a spectacular view of scores of islands spread across the Seto Inland Sea.
A spectacular view from the top of the bridge out over a score of islands spread across the Seto Inland Sea.
Make your original jeans in the renown jeans town, Kojima City.
A history and nature cycling trip around the island.
Where art intersects the grandeur of nature. A mysterious, one-of-a-kind museum to stir the senses.
Even the building is a work of art! A museum that harnesses natural light.
Dangerous to Walk with Both Long or Short Strides?! A Secluded Area with Up-Close Views of Rapids and a Beautiful Canyon
A highway rest stop with a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and the impressive Great Seto Bridge.
The Only Sake Brewery on Shodoshima. Enjoy Delicious Sake in a Chic Shop!
A restaurant in the quaint interior of a Japanese folk house where one can eat authentic Sanuki udon noodles with an emphasis on ingredients and preparation.
Enjoy Luxurious “Hiyaten Oroshi” Sanuki Udon at the Source.
A tranquil café for classical music and home-roasted specialty coffee.
Right nearby the Honjima Port, the café looks out over the majestic Great Seto Bridge and offers fantastic foods and drinks with a lovely sea view.
A Japanese restaurant where one can enjoy fresh seafood, including Shimotsui’s specialty, octopus.
28 islands of different shapes and sizes can be found dotting the waters between Kagawa and Okayama Prefectures. Towards Kagawa Prefecture sits Honjima, a former base for the Shiwaku Navy, or Awashima, the island recently known for its art and also for being the home of Japan’s first school for maritime sailors. Towards the Okayama side also known as the “Kasaoka Islands”, you’ll find Kitagi Island, also known as “Stone Island”, or even Manabe Island, the island destination loved worldwide for its old-world towns and streets, just to name a few.
One of the art projects of the Setouchi Triennale, Saya Kubota of a contemporary artist dealt with.
The art works created by the young artists in collaboration with the people of the island are exhibited at the previous Awashima Junior High School which was closed down in 2014.
Having been the first seamen training school in Japan, established in 1897 (the 30th year of the Meiji era), it is open to the public as a memorial hall.
Artwork made from buoys, which are no longer used for fishing, and a garden with seasonal flowers fluttering in the air.
Opened from early summer to late fall, the seasonal diner displays local artists’ work as well.
In summer, it is a popular bathing-resort, as well, and is located on the west side of the island.
Cabins are also built on the site. Their hospitality heals you and your pets during your stay. The restaurant is popular with fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea.
It is a spectacular spot in Awashima where people definitely feel like visiting as well as you are able to enjoy an easy hike. This is especially recommended at the time of the autumn leaves season.
A classic shoten (store) that handles everything from food to everyday goods and is like a "convenience store of the island."
It is the central area of the island that flourished in the shipping industry during the Edo period. The townscape which keeps the remnants of old times has been designated as an important groups of traditional buildings preservation district of the nation.
It is a 100-year-old residence built by Shiwaku Daiku, and the beauty of the style of Japanese houses are seen everywhere.
Since the age of provincial wars, the elders of the islands took turns to govern in this office, now open as a museum.
The head temple of Shingon School, Daogo Sect with 1300 years of history. Valuable architecture such as Kannon hall with a Buddha statue by Shiwaku craftsmen is on the huge premises
Right nearby the Honjima Port, the café looks out over the majestic Great Seto Bridge and offers fantastic foods and drinks with a lovely sea view.
The island’s small theater building in an nostalgic ambience.
It is a Umi-no-Eki (sea station) where a cafe and a stone museum are also built in the same premises. The rental bicycles, most ideal for touring the islands, are provided here as well.
You are able to observe a "living quarry", which started in the Meiji era and continue to mine stones from there, from the observation deck with a height of 60 m.
Stone arts on the stone island of Kitagi.
Junior High School with a two-story wooden building built in 1949, famous as a movie location.
A general store on the island was renovated to serve food such as the famous curry and drink.
A park located on the small hill gives you a full beautiful view of a group of islands of Seto inland sea.
The former Manabe Elementary was broken down and moved to be built as an inn, renovated each year.
The Shimanami Kaido connects Honshu island and Shikoku island and crosses six islands in the Seto Inland Sea. This approximately 60km road was opened in 1999 to join Onomich City to Imabari City. The cycling course along this road is top-rated for its breathtaking scenery.
Experience authentic zazen in a scenic Zen temple.
Discover the area’s history and sites, including the enormous shipbuilding works!
A guide on the famous cycling course so-called the "cyclist's sanctuary."
A Spot with a Great View Overlooking the City of Onomichi and the Onomichi Channel.
A Hilltop Park Known for its Cherry Blossoms and Beautiful Night View.
An Art Museum in the Hometown of Painter Ikuo Hirayama. Rediscover the landscapes behind the Art of Hirayama.
Park with Coveted Nightscapes and Views Overlooking the Islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
A “Temple for Mothers” that Expresses Gratitude for All Mothers Around the World, with Must-See Buildings
Enjoy the World’s First Triple Suspension Bridge and Beautiful Nature at this Service Area.
An Italian Restaurant with Spectacular Atmosphere that Uses Local Ingredients.
Enjoy Japanese Cuisine Made with Fresh Seafood at a Reasonable Price at this Long-Established Japanese Restaurant.
Enjoy creative Italian cuisine using local ingredients while looking out at the Kurushima strait.
Enjoy a fresh seafood BBQ while looking out over the Kurushima Strait Bridge.