Awaji Flower Expo 2021: Enjoy Art, Nature, and Splendid Flowers
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The Awaji Flower Expo has been held annually for 21 years on Awaji Island. World-renowned architect Tadao Ando designed the facility, and local efforts to plant trees have transformed the island into a natural wonderland. Today, we'll feature event information and nearby sightseeing spots for 2021!
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Tokyo, Japan
The 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo: Nature, Food, and More!
Picture courtesy of the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo Business Executive Committee
Surrounded by the sea and mountains and blessed with a temperate climate, Awaji Island is an important hub that connects the Shikoku region with the Kansai region.
Despite damage sustained during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, the area has managed to preserve its unique history and culture. Its bountiful natural surroundings are also carefully cultivated.
This year, the concept for the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo Flower Green Fair (or 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo) is "people and nature co-existing."
This event aims to share Awaji's local food, history, culture, and nature with the rest of the world.
Held twice a year, the spring event runs from March 20 to May 30, 2021, while the autumn event is from September 18 to October 31.
Picture courtesy of PIXTA
Awaji Island is a "Miketsukuni," a region that provided food to the emperor in ancient times. Offering products from the sea to Japan's imperial house, the area has historically had a rich food culture.
The island also developed its own unique culture, making this a place where you can encounter a variety of experiences.
In this article, we'll introduce some recommended spots at the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo.
There are three venues located in Awaji, Sumoto, and Minami-Awaji. For access and additional details, please check the official homepage.
1. Awaji Venue
The Awaji venue consists of two areas: Awaji Yumebutai, and Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park.
Awaji Yumebutai was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando in 2000. That same year, the Awaji Flower Expo "Japan Flora 2000" was held. The facility was envisioned as a place where people and nature can co-exist. It's now a scenic spot that locals adore and many tourists from around the world come to visit.
The photo above is Hyakudan-en Garden, a tiered garden with 100 flower beds. It was built as a prayer garden to commemorate the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.
A variety of colorful flowers are in bloom depending on the season.
Picture courtesy of Yumebutai
Standing about 17 meters tall and featuring graceful curves, the Oval Forum is an architectural beauty that will take your breath away. It was even featured in a music video by the popular Japanese idol group Sakurazaka46.
Picture courtesy of the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Business Executive Committee
During the spring exhibition, there are many one-of-a-kind art pieces on display. All of the works showcase originality while blending in with the surrounding environment.
The Kiseki-no-Hoshi Botanical Museum is western Japan's largest greenhouse. Housing eight display areas, it operates under two themes: "people and nature co-existing" and "sharpen your five senses."
The exhibits change seasonally. These include the early spring orchid exhibit and rose festival, as well as the tropical and Christmas flower show to name just a few. You'll have an enjoyable experience whenever you visit!
From January until March, visitors can marvel at various kinds of orchids, including some unusually tiny ones (see photo).
The special exhibit held until April 11 also has a memorable display consisting of a wall of flowers made from recycled bed springs.
During the cherry blossom season, visitors can enjoy traditional crafts and a Japanese-style garden including tatami mats and old-fashioned kawara tiles.
For information on Awaji Yumebutai and access, please check the official homepage.
Picture courtesy of Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
Interested in seeing a variety of colorful flowers in full bloom? Then we suggest visiting the Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park. When spring arrives, the grasslands are covered with tulips. The wondrous scenery resembles a giant painting come to life.
The visitor's center on the park grounds is home to an art exhibit by Taki Tamada. You'll find adorable cardboard art pieces made from recycled paper on display. This is an exclusive event held during the spring installment of the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo.
The pieces symbolize social problems seen through the eyes of living creatures. It offers visitors a perspective from an animal's point of view. No wonder these works are bursting with ingenuity!
If you have time, you can also join a workshop to craft your own cardboard mask.
2. Sumoto Venue
At Sumoto Venue's Mikumayama-Magatayama zone, you'll find the Sumoto castle ruins, which is a nationally designated historic site. The stone walls of the castle are preserved in good condition.
The present-day castle tower is an imitation constructed in 1928 using reinforced concrete. It has become famous as Japan's oldest imitation castle keep. When you climb up to the top, you'll be met by an impressive panorama of the Akashi Strait and Sumoto's sprawling scenery.
3. Minami-Awaji Venue
Left-side photo is courtesy of England Hill
At the Minami-Awaji Venue (Awaji Farm Park England Hill Area), visitors can enjoy nature, flowers, and animals.
The most popular attraction is the koala bears. Among them is a 24-year-old koala, designated the world's oldest living koala in captivity by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Let's head to the Koala Museum to see these adorable animals. This facility was built to commemorate the friendship between Hyogo Prefecture and Western Australia.
Picture courtesy of England Hill
The area also boasts a large field of flowers. In the springtime, some 100,000 nemophila flowers are in full bloom. You'll feel like you've entered a fantasy with this wondrous scene before your eyes.
Picture courtesy of England Hill
There are many hands-on experiences such as strawberry picking, onion harvesting, and bread-making. Visiting with your children will make the experience even more fun!
Must-See Spots for Anime Lovers!
There are many facilities on Awajishima that feature Japanese anime and cartoon characters. When visiting these places, you can immerse yourself in the world of anime!
HELLO KITTY SMILE
©2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L627175
Almost 50 years have passed since Hello Kitty debuted in 1974. Despite this, she continues to be loved by all generations.
At HELLO KITTY SMILE, visitors can enjoy a fantasy world and meet Hello Kitty, who's dressed as the young princess of Dragon Palace (Under the Sea).
There's also a restaurant where delicious food is served on cute tableware.
©2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L627175
At the gift shop, there's a full selection of souvenirs, which includes limited-edition products. You'll also spot eye-catching masks and cute bags among other items.
Nijigen no Mori
Nijigen no Mori is a theme park that combines Japanese animation and manga with technology and nature. This expansive area is about half a square mile, and is situated in the middle of Awajishima Prefectural Park.
This theme park is divided into four areas: Godzilla, Naruto, Crayon Shin-chan, and Firebird. If you want to have fun at all of the attractions, just a single day probably won't be long enough!
Our recommendation is the Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park. You'll find 54 different figures of Shin-chan and other characters in the park. With the aid of an AR (augmented reality) application, you can even talk to some of them!
There's also the "Bravo! Great Adventure Across the Warring States!" area modeled on the Crayon Shin-chan movie of the same name.
This is a large athletic obstacle course where adults and children can test their physical stamina.
For more courageous visitors, let's head to the "Challenge! Action Kamen Squadron" at the top of the hill. First, put on the action helmet, then glide over the pond along a zipline at this thrilling attraction.
At the entrance to Naruto's area, there's an area called Nijigen no Mori named after the ninja anime series that created a worldwide sensation. You can really get a sense of this fictional world through various statues and figures. The attraction features three separate missions called ten no maki, chi no maki, and chi no maki-gaiden.
This attraction consists of a three-dimensional maze that participants must successfully navigate in order to rescue the anime characters.
They can also embark on a trip with a riddle game that will test their mental faculties. Fans will have a thrilling challenge while completing their mission!
Finally, don't forget to pick up some limited-edition souvenirs at the gift shop.
Must-Try Awaji Food Specialties
You can find all kinds of food from vegetables and fruit, dairy products, and Awaji beef and seafood products on Awaji Island.
The island is fully self-sufficient—the locals grow everything they need themselves. Nearby restaurants also use locally grown products in all of their dishes.
G.ELM
G.ELM is a specialty gelato shop that's been in business for over 24 years. The key ingredient in their gelato is unpasteurized milk. It comes directly from a dairy farm that has partnered with the shop for many years.
One flavor: 300 yen (after tax), two flavors: 350 yen (after tax)
The shop offers 14 gelato flavors. They also have limited-edition flavors, so be sure to check when visiting!
We ordered a gelato made from fresh milk, mixed fruit, and purple sweet potato. The milk was fragrant and gave the gelato a rich yet simple flavor. One bite will have you hooked!
The refreshing mixed fruit included citrus fruit, peaches, bananas, and apples. We enjoyed the delicate sweetness and full-bodied flavor of the purple sweet potato, too.
fortune Chiffon Cake
Picture courtesy of fortune
Located next to G.ELM is a chiffon cake shop called fortune.
The main ingredients of their cake are eggs, milk, Japanese rice flour, and wheat flour. It's a healthy and additive-free dessert. This fluffy dessert is so popular that it often sells out by noon on weekends!
It's easy to see why they have so many regular customers.
Awajishima Onion Kitchen
At Roadside Station Uzushio, there's a specialty hamburger shop called Awajishima Burger Awajishima Onion Kitchen. This shop is a hit, with long lines on weekends.
The most popular menu item is the Awajishima Onion Beef Burger (660 yen), which received top honors at the Burger Festa Nationwide Burger Grand Prix.
Sitting atop fresh vegetables is a deep-fried onion cutlet, as well as there's a mound of sweet and spicy Awaji beef covered in a rich tomato sauce. One bite of this burger will fill your mouth with its savory juices!
Awaji Ningyo Joruri: Puppet Theater With 500-Year-Old History
In Awaji, there's a traditional performance art with a history spanning 500 years. It's called the Awa Ningyo Joruri, or Awaji Puppet Theater, and consists of a puppeteer, a narrator, and a shamisen player.
What originally began as a festival ritual gradually became a theater for common people. It has since been passed down through the generations.
The puppets are operated by a team of three people. The puppeteer is a skilled and seasoned master. People are charmed by the puppet's supple and beautiful movements, which are surprisingly human-like.
At a special spring performance this year, a production titled "Ebisumai plus" was performed. It was produced by Asami Kiyosawa, a Japanese artist from Awaji.
This drama centers around Ebisu, the Japanese god of fishers and good luck. It tells the story of Ebisu governing the sea and dancing to pray and ensure a safe voyage for everyone.
Animation is added to the dances performed by puppets adorned in gorgeous, noble costumes. The result is a stage production that's splendid and unforgettable!
See the World's Largest Whirlpools in the Naruto Strait!
Picture courtesy of Whirlpools Cruise
When you visit Awaji, you'll want to see the whirlpools.
The whirlpools are created by the changes in the speed of large volumes of water moving between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It's said that the world's largest whirlpools occur in the Naruto Strait during autumn and spring.
We recommend boarding the Kanrin Maru, a sizeable ship that glides smoothly over the water. First, check to make sure your departure coincides with a time of day when whirlpools occur. Then, you'll be ready to embark on an exciting cruise adventure!
Experience Luxury at an Island Lodging!
Awaji Island has a variety of accommodations, from hot spring ryokan (Japanese-style inns) where your skin gets the royal treatment to hotels with stunning ocean views.
HOTEL NEW AWAJI
Picture courtesy of HOTEL NEW AWAJI
HOTEL NEW AWAJI is an attractive hotel offering Japanese-style rooms. At Yumedaichi, guests are treated to an all-encompassing view of the Kitan Strait. The suite room at Villa Rakuen comes equipped with its own rotenburo (outdoor bath).
Some guest rooms also have a private Japanese-style garden. You can gaze up at a star-filled sky and marvel at the beautiful rising sun!
Picture courtesy of HOTEL NEW AWAJI
At the time of our interview, we ordered the Awaji Beef Kaiseki Course with a stone-grilled steak and shabu-shabu. From the plump texture of the Cherry Bass fish to the finely textured quality of the meat, this course serves up the fresh bounty of the ocean and mountains alike.
Grand Nikko Awaji
Picture courtesy of Grand Nikko Awaji
Grand Nikko Awaji is a resort hotel located on the grounds of Awaji Yumebutai.
The hotel has nine types of guest rooms, all of which are bright, well-lit, and spacious. From the guest room windows, you can see the clear blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea and a park filled with seasonal flowers in bloom. This is a comfortable and relaxing place to spend your visit.
Picture courtesy of Grand Nikko Awaji
At the breakfast buffet, visitors can sample dishes made using ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture and the nearby area. Dishes include freshly-made omelets, croissants, and crisp green salads.
This satisfying breakfast will certainly kick-start your day!
Considering the Area's Natural Environment
At the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo, you can experience the area's breathtaking natural surroundings and culture. This might be just what's needed to help us think more about the natural environment that surrounds us.
While enjoying Awaji's soothing and splendid nature, let's spare a thought for this precious environment.
Written by miho
Sponsored by the 20th Anniversary Awaji Flower Expo Business Executive Committee
Main image courtesy of Yumebutai
Written by
Tokyo, Japan
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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