Awaji Island Private Car and Chauffeur Service from Osaka or Kyoto

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Awaji Island

Are you looking for a private car tour or chauffeur service to Awaji Island? Awaji Island is the largest island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea, located between the islands of Honshu and Shikoku. Known for its natural beauty, historical significance, and variety of attractions, Awaji Island is a popular destination for both locals and international travelers seeking a blend of nature, culture, and relaxation. The island is often referred to as the "Gateway to Shikoku" because of its strategic location and historical role as a bridge between Japan's main islands.

Awaji Island's history is steeped in mythology. According to Japanese creation myths, Awaji was the first island created by the gods Izanagi and Izanami, making it a place of spiritual significance. Over time, the island has evolved into a destination that offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, hot springs, gardens, and modern art installations.

The island is connected to Honshu via the impressive Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in the world), making it easily accessible from Kobe and Osaka. It also connects to Shikoku via the Naruto Strait and the Onaruto Bridge, famous for its swirling Naruto Whirlpools.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge:
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is not only an engineering marvel but also a symbolic gateway to Awaji Island. At nearly 4 kilometers long, it holds the title of the world’s longest suspension bridge. Visitors can experience the breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea from the Maiko Marine Promenade, a walkway beneath the bridge that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Awaji Yumebutai:
Designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, Awaji Yumebutai is a complex of gardens, conference halls, and hotels built on the site of a former quarry. The most striking feature is the Hyakudanen (Hundred Stepped Garden), which consists of 100 small terraced gardens filled with seasonal flowers. The complex also houses the Westin Hotel Awaji Island and offers stunning views of the surrounding sea and mountains.

Awaji Hanasajiki:
Awaji Hanasajiki is a vast flower park located in the northern part of the island, offering year-round floral displays. The park is set on a hillside, providing panoramic views of the Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay. The park is most famous for its seasonal blooms, including rape blossoms in the spring, sunflowers in the summer, and cosmos flowers in the fall, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and photographers.

Naruto Whirlpools:
The Naruto Whirlpools are a natural phenomenon that occurs in the Naruto Strait, located between Awaji Island and the island of Shikoku. The strong tidal currents create powerful whirlpools, some of which can reach up to 20 meters in diameter. Visitors can observe the whirlpools from sightseeing boats, or from Uzu no Michi, a pedestrian walkway under the Onaruto Bridge that offers a clear view of the swirling waters below.

Awaji Island National Government Park:
Spanning over 400 hectares, the Awaji Island National Government Park (also known as Akashi Kaikyo National Park) is a massive park that features beautifully designed gardens, walking paths, and recreational facilities. The park is especially popular in the spring when tulips and other flowers are in full bloom, and in the autumn when maple trees turn vibrant shades of red and orange.

Nijigen no Mori:
Nijigen no Mori is an outdoor anime and manga-themed amusement park located in Awaji Island Park. The park features attractions based on popular Japanese anime, including Naruto, Crayon Shin-chan, and Godzilla. The Godzilla Museum and Godzilla zipline are particularly popular, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of interacting with a life-sized Godzilla model.

Best Time to Visit
Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Awaji Island, thanks to its beautiful flower displays, including cherry blossoms and tulips. The warm weather and blooming flowers make it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring gardens.
Summer (June to August): Summer is a great time to enjoy the island’s beaches and coastal activities, although it can get hot. The Naruto Whirlpools are particularly impressive during high tide in the summer months.
Autumn (September to November): The island’s parks and gardens turn vibrant shades of red and orange during the autumn months, creating beautiful landscapes. The cooler temperatures make it a pleasant time for hiking and sightseeing.
Winter (December to February): While winter is the off-season, it's still worth visiting for the hot springs and onions (one of the island's famous agricultural products). The Naruto Whirlpools also tend to be more active in winter due to stronger tides.

Private Car and Chauffeur Services

From Kobe: Take the JR Kobe Line to Maiko Station and transfer to a bus that crosses the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to Awaji Island. The bus ride takes about 20-30 minutes.
From Osaka: Buses from Osaka to Awaji Island leave from Osaka Station or Umeda and take about 1.5 hours to reach the island.
From Tokushima (Shikoku): Buses from Tokushima cross the Onaruto Bridge and reach Awaji Island in about 1 hour.

As a reliable limo and tour company, we have been engaged in chauffeured limousine service to/from Awaji Island for more than 10 years. We have 6-seater Alphard minivans, 10-seater Hiace vans, and 18-seater Coaster minibuses for you. Your private drivers are carefully selected with legal licenses. The service includes not only one-way transfer service, but also the full-day car charter service. the service scope covers the entire Kansai area, not only in Awaji Island, but also in Kyoto, and Kansai Airport. Please don't hesitate to contact our Osaka Chauffeur Service center.