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[Part 6] Osaka Bay is right in front of you! What is the appeal of Sumoto Onsen?
Infinity bath where you can enjoy the morning sun
Sumoto Onsen is located in the southeast of Awaji Island. With many inns and hotels lined up along the coast facing Osaka Bay, it is a popular hot spring resort that serves as a base for sightseeing on Awaji Island.
Each ryokan and hotel boasts an ocean view of Osaka Bay that spreads out before your eyes. At most facilities, you can see the morning sun rising over Osaka Bay from the large communal baths, open-air baths, and open-air baths in each guest room. Only at Sumoto Onsen can you enjoy the spectacular view of the "Road of Light" created by the morning sun while being blown by the sea breeze. Why not get up a little early and enjoy a mystical moment?
"Awaji Island 3-year-old tiger pufferfish" is used in dishes such as tetsunabe, tetchiri, grilled milt, and fried chicken.
Awaji Island, which has been known as "Mikkekuni" (Land of Food) since ancient times and has presented food ingredients to the Imperial Court, is still a thriving fishing, agriculture, and livestock industry today. It is truly worthy of being called a treasure trove of food, and the island's food self-sufficiency rate is said to be 110%! At each of the inns and hotels on the island, including Sumoto Onsen, you can enjoy seasonal dishes that make full use of local products, allowing you to experience "Awaji Island, the Island of Food."
The photo on the left shows a three-year-old tiger pufferfish from Awaji Island. You can see its size by comparing it with the one-year-old and two-year-old ones next to it.
Awaji Island is famous for its onions, Awaji beef, and conger eel, which is in season in the summer, but the most recommended dish for the coming winter season is the "Awaji Island 3-year-old tiger pufferfish." Farmed pufferfish are usually shipped after about two years, but in Awaji Island, they are carefully raised for an additional year before being shipped. Tiger pufferfish that have grown to 1.5 to 2 times the normal size become firmer and more flavorful. What's more, the richness and satisfying texture of their plump milt is particularly noteworthy. This winter delicacy is not to be missed for connoisseurs.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the gateway to Awaji Island, is about an hour and 10 minutes by car from Osaka, and about an hour and a half from Kyoto. Awaji Island is easily accessible from the Keihanshin area, yet offers the best views, hot springs, and gourmet food. Currently, there are many experiences that allow you to experience the "real thing" of the island, including its occupations, nature, history, industry, and culture.
There are various experience programs available, such as observing the making of traditional "Awaji Onigawara" tiles, making your own original canned onion soup, and making salt using traditional methods, but the most recommended is the auction experience at Yura Fishing Port, located just south of Sumoto Onsen. At Yura Fishing Port, where about 150 types of fish, including summer conger eel, are landed, you can enter the auction venue with professional fishmongers. It is a valuable experience to watch the fishmongers at auction, which is unique to Yura and has a sense of speed, as they throw in boards with purchase prices written on them.
Visit to the Yura Fisheries Cooperative Auction
Also, the "Sea Firefly Show" is held only from July to September on a calm beach in the northern part of the island. You can experience watching sea fireflies and catching them with a nature guide, which is a popular experience that can only be found on Awaji Island. The mysterious sight of the sea surface glowing blue is definitely worth seeing.
Sea Firefly Show
Awaji Island is easily accessible by car, and it takes about 30 minutes to travel from the north to the south end of the island. Why not plan your trip to stay at Sumoto Onsen and take part in the Sea Firefly Show, or enjoy the sunset on the west coast after watching the Naruto whirlpools in the evening?
In 2025, Awaji Island will host the Awaji Island Expo from March 20th to October 13th, prior to the opening of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Preparations are underway to allow Expo visitors to experience the island's true charm with a lineup of around 60 experiences that allow them to experience sustainable island life. What's noteworthy is that the majority of these experiences are private plans limited to one group, so that only one group can enjoy them! This is a rare opportunity to experience the real Awaji Island while getting more involved with local producers. Be sure to check this out too!
【basic information】
Awaji Island Tourism Association Address: 1F Sumoto City Health and Welfare Center, 2-26 Minato, Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture, 656-0027
・Website: https://www.awajishima-kanko.jp/