Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture is one of the best tourist spots in Kansai, surrounded by sea and greenery. The island is easily accessible from Osaka and Kobe, and visitors can enjoy a variety of nature, including the sea and mountains. Awaji Island is an attractive place where nature and tourist spots are blended together. In this issue, we will introduce some spots where you can enjoy architecture in harmony with nature.

Awaji Yumebutai, a vast complex of resort facilities, was created on the slopes of the mountain with the idea of restoring greenery to the mountains where humans have chipped away at them.

Architect Tadao Ando designed this large-scale facility based on the concept of “symbiosis between people and nature,” with the idea of “how much visitors can experience aspects of nature that are often overlooked in everyday life, such as water, wind, light, shade, sky, mountains, and the sea.”

Hyakudanen, a garden with 100 flowerbeds arranged in a staircase pattern along the slope of the mountain.

The four blocks are A (Africa, Central and South America, Oceania), B (Eurasia, North America), C (Asia, Japan), and D (Theme), each with seasonal flowers in full bloom in accordance with its concept. Looking out into the distance, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of Osaka Bay! The vivid contrast between the sparkling blue sea and the colorful flowers and plants will surely enchant you.

The “Round Forum” is located in the center of Awaji Yumebutai.

It is a circular space with a diameter of approximately 32 meters and a height of approximately 11 meters, and is most impressive for its beautiful curves. Visitors can look up at the sky cut out in a circular shape, walk along the slope along the wall, or enjoy the view from the observation space at the top.

The Elliptical Forum is a huge space, approximately 50 meters in diameter and 17 meters high. A unique sundial is installed on the concrete wall.

The two long corridors flanking the Elliptical Forum are characterized by the opposing spatial beauty of light and shade.

Located on the ocean side, “Sea Corridor” is an open space with a panoramic view of Osaka Bay.

The “Mountain Corridor,” located on the mountain side, is a colonnade covered with frosted glass, while the “Sea Corridor” is a colonnade covered with glass.

The “Soraniwa” (Sky Garden) stands out among the “Hyakudanen” and the “Mountain Corridor”.

The “Open-air Theater,” with seating arranged in a mortar shape overlooking Osaka Bay, is reminiscent of an ancient Greek amphitheater.

The power of nature is directly conveyed through the simplicity of the architecture. Enjoy a moment to feel nature, which is usually neglected, at the magnificent Awaji Yumebutai.

The Awaji Greenhouse, located on the grounds of Awaji Yumebutai, is one of the largest greenhouse botanical gardens in Japan, with an innovative appearance that resembles two crossed rectangles. The 20-meter-high, all-glass building is flooded with natural light, creating a sense of openness and spaciousness.

There are approximately 3,000 rare and colorful plants from around the world that can be seen in the museum.
The museum is composed of five main exhibition halls, each with a different presentation that can be enjoyed in a circular fashion.

“Midori no Choukoku (Green Sculpture)” grows and exhibits cacti and succulents that grow in arid regions.

“Garden of Four Seasons” exhibits colorful plants that grow in the tropics and subtropics.

“Kurashi no Midori (Greenery in Daily Life)” exhibits familiar plants that can be seen in daily life.

“Shinka no Niwa (Garden of Evolution)” is based on the theme of the time when there were dinosaurs.

Visitors can also see the Jurassic Tree, which was discovered approximately 200 million years ago and is considered a “living fossil”.

“Nigiwai no Niwa (Lively Garden),” a garden of flowers and greenery that can be enjoyed by parents and children, is staged to bring plants closer to visitors.

The “Garden Castle,” which grows to a height of approximately 8 meters, is the symbol of the facility.

In the central garden, there is a kid’s space for children to play.

After browsing the plant exhibits on the first floor, go to the terrace on the second floor. Okinawan plants and tropical fruit trees are on display, as well as picture books, illustrated books, and gardening books about plants. There are tables where you can sit and relax, admiring the greenery or reading a book.

Please enjoy the extraordinary experience of being healed by a wide variety of greenery in a varied space.

Honpuku-ji Temple is an old temple said to have been founded in the Heian period (794-1185), and its main hall, called “Mizumido,” was newly built in 1991, designed by Tadao Ando.

A modern concrete wall stands at the far end of the temple grounds.

Passing through the gate and proceeding along the curving concrete wall, a huge oval pond appears. In early summer, lotus flowers bloom, creating a fantastic view.

A lotus pond with greenery in the distance. In the center of the lotus pond, there is a stairway leading to the Mizumido, which cuts through the surface of the lake. The name “Mizumido” comes from the fact that the lotus pond serves as the roof.

As you descend the stairs, stop and look back to see the sky cut out of the concrete wall. The shades of light, which change depending on the weather, create a unique atmosphere.

Descending to the basement, you will find a world painted in vermilion. Light softly shines through the latticework, creating a somewhat dreamlike space.

After proceeding through a narrow corridor, the vermilion-lacquered main hall appears. The main image seated in the center is a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, an important cultural property designated by Awaji City.

In the evening, the sun shines in the west and a red light floods from behind the main image, like a halo. This chic presentation, which is based on the image of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, was inspired by the national treasure “Jodo-do Hall of Jodoji Temple” in Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Honpuku-ji Temple is different from ordinary temples. You will be captivated by the seemingly contradictory combination of “ancient temple and modern” at first glance.

TOTO Seawind Awaji, a resort hotel designed by architect Tadao Ando, stands on a mountain slope in the eastern part of Awaji Island. The hotel was built with an awareness of the harmony between people and nature, and visitors can enjoy the sea, greenery, and architectural beauty to their heart’s content.

Entering through the main entrance, visitors are greeted by unique artwork by a sculptor from Awaji Island.

The lobby is located at the end of the grand staircase, and the beautiful Osaka Bay cut out by the huge windows is a sight to behold. The walls are lined with bookshelves full of architecture-related books, so it is wonderful to sit on the sofa and enjoy reading time while looking out at the ocean.

Looking at the front of the building from the outside, it looks like a work of art.

The crossing corridor leading to the elevator building for the exclusive use of guest rooms is also a spectacular point from which you can view the panorama of the sea and the sky! Why don’t you stop once and let the beautiful horizon burn into your eyes?

There are three types of rooms: Western-style rooms, Japanese-style rooms, and maisonettes. All rooms have large-opening windows, so they receive excellent sunlight. You can spend a pleasant time while being healed by the greenery seen from the windows.

The restaurant, based on the color blue, has an ocean view!

The summer-only pool is a popular spot at the facility. Please take a photogenic picture with the blue sea in the background.

The verdant sea and lush greenery. The harmony of Awaji Island’s magnificent nature and architecture is a kind of art. Enjoy a different kind of hotel stay.

Awaji Island has many architectural structures that show the harmony between people and nature, which will make your sightseeing more enjoyable. When you visit the Kansai region, be sure to make a trip to Awaji Island!