Introduction: What’s So Great About Awaji SA, Really?
The concept of a Service Area (SA) has traditionally been limited to practicalities: a functional rest stop, a place to refuel during a journey. However, Awaji Service Area appears before travelers as an entity that fundamentally overturns this conventional definition. Located at the northern tip of Awaji Island, immediately after crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, this place is no longer merely a “transit point.” Upon arrival, the magnificent view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge that unfolds before your eyes evokes a sense of exhilaration, as if a new chapter of your journey has begun.
What’s interesting is that the facilities for the inbound (Kobe-bound) and outbound (Tokushima-bound) lanes are skillfully connected by a link road, allowing access and free movement from both directions. Furthermore, it is directly connected to the “Awaji Highway Oasis” within Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park, and its design philosophy pursues functionality not just as a rest stop, but as a “stay-type facility where you can enjoy all day.” From spectacular views, gourmet food, and local specialties to refreshing facilities that offer healing, it truly embodies a multi-layered appeal that can be described as “all-inclusive.” This is a sophisticated answer to the modern question of how public facilities should be, namely, the creation of “experiential value” that meets the diverse needs of users.
Time Travel! A Glimpse into the History of Awaji SA
The story of Awaji SA runs parallel to the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, a civil engineering marvel that Japan proudly boasts. Opened on April 5, 1998 (Heisei 10), along with the bridge, it can be said that this facility carried an extraordinary scale and expectation from its very inception. Among the rest facilities managed by the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company (JB Honshi Expressway), its particular scale and top-class sales performance nationwide are indeed evidence that it has fully fulfilled its role as the “bridge’s younger sibling.”
From an architectural perspective, Awaji SA (outbound lane) is also a noteworthy presence. The building was designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma. Since its completion in 1998, its characteristic gently arched roof, spanning 180m, was designed with the clear intention of harmonizing with the mega-scale of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Here, one can find the moment when infrastructure connects with aesthetic sensibility.
And the evolution of the facility does not stop. In May 2006, the large Ferris wheel installed on the outbound lane before the Golden Week holidays became a symbolic attraction that enhanced its appeal as a tourist attraction, going beyond the pursuit of mere functionality. Furthermore, on March 29, 2020, the “Awaji Kita Smart IC,” the first in the nation to be directly connected to the Awaji Highway Oasis, began operation. This made it possible for ETC vehicles to access it from ordinary roads, further strengthening the connection between the region and the expressway and dramatically improving its convenience. This is an example of a modern attempt for service areas to transform from mere “roadside stops” into “gateways for regional revitalization.”
I Want to Go Now! What Everyone Raves About at Awaji SA!
The reason Awaji SA garners such immense support from travelers lies deep in its diverse attractions. It transcends being a mere rest facility and has truly established itself as a “destination.”
Monopolize the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge! A Breathtaking Scenic Spot
This place, known as “The Hill Where You Can See the Bridge,” is a unique observation spot where you can view the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge up close. Not only the magnificent panorama during the day, but from dusk to night, everyone is captivated by the fantastic beauty created by the illuminated bridge. The night view, in particular, creates a romantic atmosphere, which makes it understandable why the inbound lane is certified as a “Lover’s Sanctuary.” Furthermore, it is also known as a famous spot for the first sunrise of the year, with many people visiting to welcome the start of a new year with this solemn scenery. The landscape of this place functions not merely as visual information, but as an “experience” deeply etched in the hearts of visitors.
So Many Choices! A Gourmet Paradise That’s Too Good
Another major attraction of Awaji SA is the diversity of its gourmet food. The many dishes utilizing the rich ingredients unique to Awaji Island will impress even food connoisseurs. In particular, dishes and processed products using Awaji Island onions are diverse, and you can fully enjoy their charm, from sweet, concentrated onion soup and fried onions to burgers. Among them, the “Awaji Beef Burger” is an exquisite dish that has created many repeat customers with its juicy meat and rich flavor. Depending on the season, fresh “raw shirasu (whitebait) bowls” nurtured by the Awaji Island sea are offered, and their transparency and delicate taste are truly a seasonal luxury. In addition, familiar cafes such as Starbucks and Mister Donut are also located here, forming a “food landscape” that caters to diverse tastes.
Shape Your Travel Memories! Souvenirs Are Not Overlooked
In the spacious shop area, local specialties from all over Awaji Island are lined up. Souvenirs that preserve travel memories are more than just items; they are the act of bringing home the culture and flavors of the region itself. From Awaji Island onion-related products to seafood and sweets, the abundant lineup is so appealing that you’ll be tempted by everything.
Enjoy the View from the Sky on the Ferris Wheel!
The large Ferris wheel, towering as a symbol of the outbound lane, is not just a decoration. The approximately 15-minute aerial stroll offers a panoramic view of the entire Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, as well as the distant cityscape of Kobe, truly providing an “aerial scenic experience.” The view from a different altitude than the ground brings new discoveries and emotions to familiar scenery, adding color to your travel memories.
Children and Pets Welcome! An SA Friendly to Everyone
In modern travel, the comfort of public facilities is an essential element. The restrooms at Awaji SA are not only spacious and kept clean, but also well-equipped with children’s restrooms and barrier-free access, ensuring that all users can spend time without stress. Furthermore, the abundance of pet-friendly facilities such as dog runs demonstrates the ideal form of a modern service area that comfortably supports travel with pets, who are members of the family. This goes beyond merely providing functions and embodies the philosophy of “coexistence” that caters to the diverse lifestyles of users.
What? No Problems? Awaji SA, Actually a Super Honor Student Theory
The fact that no major “problems” or “controversies” have been widely reported in such a public space, visited by so many people and boasting diverse facilities, is astonishing and commendable. While there are minor complaints and temporary operational announcements (e.g., store closures due to approaching typhoons, or restrictions on the use of parking spaces for people with disabilities due to renovation work) among the flood of information, these fall within the scope of unavoidable responses in general facility operations and cannot be considered fundamental issues that would develop into specific controversies.
This “no problem” status suggests how much Awaji SA has strived to improve user satisfaction and ensure safety from its design stage and throughout its continuous operation. Behind the seamless reception of a vast number of visitors and the continuous provision of a comfortable environment lies diligent and unceasing improvement efforts and a forward-looking management system. This is a rare case because it possesses the face of an “honor student” that fulfills its responsibility as public infrastructure, going beyond being a mere commercial facility.
What Does the Future Hold? The Unstoppable Evolution of Awaji SA
The future of Awaji SA is moving towards further establishing its identity as a “destination,” transcending the framework of a mere “rest stop.” The policy advocated by the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company (JB Honshi Expressway) to “utilize service areas as destinations that contribute to the development of the Setouchi region” clearly indicates that Awaji SA will play a central role in this.
As concrete evidence of recent evolution, on October 1, 2024, “Table House,” an outdoor private space where you can feel the wind of the Akashi Kaikyo, was born. This is not merely an expansion of facilities but an attempt to provide more sophisticated services that offer new experiential value to users. Furthermore, even after the major renovation in 2016, continuous improvements have been made, such as the expansion and renovation of the outbound dog run, the installation of a large roof at the inbound rest house, the paving of phosphorescent stones at the “Lover’s Sanctuary,” and the creation of cherry blossom path illuminations. This demonstrates a continuous self-renewal attitude to respond to the diversification and sophistication of user needs.
Moreover, the Awaji Kita Smart IC, opened in 2020, has shortened access time to tourist spots in northern Awaji Island and contributed to an increase in visitors to Awaji SA and Awaji Highway Oasis. In the future, tourism promotion through the construction of express bus and community bus routes starting from this Smart IC is also expected, and the SA has the potential to function as a hub for the entire region. In this way, Awaji SA is expected to continue evolving through facility improvements and the introduction of new services tailored to user needs, based on its past history and current high reputation. A fascinating future, where there are new discoveries every time you visit, unfolds here.
Summary: Awaji SA is the Best Starting and Ending Point for Your Awaji Island Trip!
Awaji Service Area has far surpassed the traditional concept of a mere rest stop on an expressway, evolving into a complex tourist hub that offers gourmet food, shopping, and diverse recreation against the backdrop of the magnificent Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Its history began with the opening of the bridge and has developed, always meeting or exceeding user expectations, through milestones such as the design by a famous architect, the installation of a Ferris wheel, and the opening of a Smart IC.
Here, there are breathtaking views, gourmet food utilizing the rich ingredients that Awaji Island boasts, souvenirs to take home travel memories, and meticulous consideration for everyone to spend time comfortably. It is particularly noteworthy that despite being such a large-scale facility, it has steadily increased its value without facing major controversies or challenges.
Awaji SA is truly a place that can be both the best “starting point” and a fulfilling “ending point” for a trip to Awaji Island. It is too precious to simply pass by as a transit point. We highly recommend taking your time to stop by and thoroughly enjoy its multi-layered charm. Once you experience its appeal, you will surely become captivated by this “evolving SA.”
