Awaji Yumebutai

Awaji Yumebutai (淡路夢舞台) is a striking architectural and landscape complex on Awaji Island, created by celebrated architect Tadao Ando. Built on land once quarried for construction and later tied to the recovery efforts after the 1995 earthquake, the site now unfolds as a vast space of renewal and harmony. Its highlight, the Hyakudanen (“100 Stepped Gardens”), forms a geometric hillside of terraced flower beds that change with the seasons. From here, visitors enjoy sweeping views of Osaka Bay while wandering quiet paths lined with greenery, reflecting pools, and open courtyards that merge natural scenery with Ando’s minimalist concrete designs.

Within the grounds, the Miracle Planet Museum of Plants stands out as a lush indoor world showcasing rare botanical varieties and imaginative floral displays. Guests can stroll through themed garden rooms, seasonal exhibitions, and soaring glass-domed spaces filled with light and fragrance. The nearby Westin Awaji Island Resort offers elegant ocean-view stays, soothing spa facilities, and a dedicated tea ceremony room, making it easy to extend the visit. Wide plazas, gentle walking routes, and thoughtful architecture throughout Yumebutai encourage slow exploration, photography, and a deeper appreciation of nature’s rhythms.