Hidden Hot Spring Resort Near Osaka – A Travelogue of The Awaji Island Onsen – Part 1

Hidden Hot Spring Resort Near Osaka – A Travelogue of The Awaji Island Onsen
Part 1

Awaji Island Onsen is a great hidden hot spring resort near Kansai International Airport, Osaka and Kobe. I took a tour of the Awaji Island last February. This article is a record of the enjoyable journey.

Day One

Awaji Island lies between Honshu and Shikoku, and is connected to Honshu by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and to Shikoku by the Onaruto Bridge.
No trains are running on the island, so buses and rental cars are the major means of transportation there.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge viewed from the Awaji Island Rest Area

Heading to Sumoto

Sumoto is the central city on the island. The departure and arrival depots for buses to and from Osaka, Kobe and Tokushima, named Sumoto Bus Centre, is located here. You can find the red-brick Sumoto Artisan Square, with cafes, restaurants and variety stores inside, near the Bus Centre.

I arrived just before noon, so I had my lunch here.

I found a monument of the well-known video game franchise Dragon Quest while taking a walk around after lunch. Sumoto is the birthplace of Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest, and is regarded by the series’ fans as a “sacred place”.

Sumoto Castle, which is accessible by taking a 10-min taxi ride to the peak of Mt. Mikuma, commands a spectacular sea view, and is a popular cherry blossom spot in spring.

Heading to Sumoto Onsen

On the first night, I stayed at Yumesenkei Besso Amahara, an onsen ryokan where all guest rooms have private open-air hot spring baths. A free shuttle bus links the Sumoto Bus Centre and Yumesenkei Besso Amahara in 5 minutes.

Checking in at the guest-only lounge

Scenery viewed from the guest room

Private open-air hot spring bath with a bird’s-eye view of the sea, right inside my room!

The spacious “wa-yo-shitsu” (Japanese-western room)

The delicious dinner made use of Awaji Beef, fish from the nearby sea, and vegetables raised on the island.

I spent a cosy evening in a relaxed setting.

Go on to “Part 2” >>

List of Ryokans in Awaji Island (Sumoto) Onsen

Hidden Hot Spring Resort Near Osaka – A Travelogue of The Awaji Island Onsen

Part 1 (first day)
Part 2 (second day)
Part 3 (Third day)