A One-Day Itinerary for Two at SEIKAIHA Aonoya on Awaji Island | Sunset, Live Music, Sushi & Tempura

Planning a special anniversary trip or dinner on Awaji Island? SEIKAIHA Aonoya overlooks the Harimanada Sea and combines sunset views, live music, and projection mapping with sushi and tempura. 

This guide offers a relaxed itinerary for two, with scenic stops before dinner and practical information about anniversary drinks and message plates.

Why Awaji Island Is Ideal for an Anniversary Trip 

Easy Access from Across Kansai 

Awaji Island is in Hyogo Prefecture, part of the Kansai region, and is easily reached from Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto by car or highway bus. Direct highway buses from Kansai International Airport (KIX) and free shuttle buses around the island also make it convenient for visitors. 

Plenty of Places to Slow Down Together 

Awaji Island’s West Coast offers oceanfront restaurants and cafés, shops, a Zen retreat, an aged-sake bar, and theaters. It’s a natural setting for a slower romantic escape.  

The Culinary Heritage of Miketsukuni 

Known historically as Miketsukuni, or a “Land of Food,” which supplied the Imperial Court with seafood and local ingredients, Awaji Island has a culinary tradition shaped by its surrounding sea and farms. Local specialties include sea bream, octopus, pike conger eel, and tiger pufferfish. 

And Then There’s the Sunset 

The West Coast looks out over the Harimanada Sea, recognized among “Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets.” For an anniversary, plan your afternoon around sunset and arrive at dinner with enough time to watch the sky change. 

SEIKAIHA Aonoya: A Restaurant Made for Special Occasions 

SEIKAIHA is a waterfront theater and dining complex on Awaji Island’s West Coast with four facilities: 

Facility	Experience
Aonoya	Japanese cuisine centered on sushi and tempura
Uminoya	Western cuisine inspired by Japan’s Meiji era
Koshunoya	Shop and bar featuring aged Japanese sake
Naminoritei	Theater featuring rakugo (traditional Japanese storytelling), ballet, musicals, and other performances

For the anniversary itinerary, the destination is Aonoya. Its menu centers on sushi and tempura, using seafood from Awaji Island, including fish sourced daily from Yura Port, along with vegetables from our own farm. 

The open kitchen lets you watch the chefs prepare sushi and fry tempura to order. Every seat faces the ocean from a tiered counter, with the Harimanada Sea providing the backdrop.

4 Reasons SEIKAIHA Aonoya Works So Well for an Anniversary 

1. Live Music 

Live music accompanies the meal, adding to the atmosphere without taking over the conversation. This is what makes Aonoya at SEIKAIHA an exceptional escape from the everyday. The performance schedule varies by day, so confirm it in advance if live music is important to your plans. 

2. Sunset Over the Harimanada Sea, One of the “Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets” 

As dinner begins, the sea and sky change from gold and orange to deep blue. For the full sunset experience, consider booking a table about one hour before sunset. 

3. Projection Mapping After Sunset 

After sunset, original projection mapping is shown during dinner. The programs feature images such as swimming fish, fireworks, and kaleidoscope-like patterns. Two programs are available, with the selection decided on the day. 

4. Chefs’ Craftmanship and Seasonal Awaji Island Ingredients 

A popular option is the Aonoya Gozen Set, served in a hinoki (Japanese cypress) box with seasonal small dishes, specialty tempura, Awaji SEIKAIHA sushi, a steamed dish, and miso soup. 

Seasonal specialties include: 

• Spring: Sakura sea bream and Awaji Island cherry salmon 
• Early summer–fall: Natural hamo (pike conger eel) from Yura Port 
• Fall: Matsutake mushrooms 
• Winter: Awaji Island three-year-raised tiger pufferfish and crab 

The seasonal menu also gives you a reason to return for another anniversary. 

Anniversary Extras: A Toast and Message Fruit Plate 

For the Sushi Full-Course Meal, Tempura Full-Course Meal, and Miketsukuni Full-Course Meal, an anniversary option is available for ¥1,000 per person. It includes a welcome drink and a fruit plate with a personalized message and is designed for two guests. For three or more guests, contact the restaurant by phone. 

A message fruit plate is also available separately for ¥1,500; tax included. 

If you want the plate to be a surprise, tell the restaurant the message and preferred serving time when making your reservation. 

Click here for reservations

Name	SEIKAIHA - Aonoya
Address	70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 A free shuttle bus is available.
Tel	0799-70-9020
Website	https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/
Reservations	https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/awaji-seikaiha/reserve
Operating Hours	11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays

Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Aonoya

A One-Day Awaji Island Anniversary Itinerary 

This day-trip itinerary from Kobe or Osaka leaves room to enjoy the island rather than filling every hour with sightseeing. 

11:00 AM | Cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge 

Drive onto Awaji Island across the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and enjoy the Seto Inland Sea views along the way. 

12:00 PM | Light Lunch 

Stop at Michi-no-Eki Awaji near the northern end of the island for a light lunch. Fresh whitebait rice bowls and Awaji Island onion dishes are among the local options. 

1:30 PM | Choose One Scenic Stop 

Pick one place for a relaxed afternoon: 

• Awaji Hanasajiki: A hillside park with seasonal flowers and views toward Osaka Bay and the Akashi Strait. Admission is free. 
• Awaji Yumebutai: A Tadao Ando-designed complex featuring the Hyakudanen (100 Stepped Garden) and the Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum. 
• Izanagi Jingu: One of Japan’s oldest shrines, dedicated to Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the divine couple associated with Japan’s creation mythology. The sacred 900-year-old Meoto Ōkusu camphor trees are another highlight. 

3:00 PM | Drive the Awaji Sunset Line 

Follow Prefectural Route 31, known as the Awaji Sunset Line, along the West Coast toward SEIKAIHA. With the sea beside you for much of the drive, the journey itself becomes part of highlights in the afternoon. 

3:30 PM | Stop at Craft Circus 

Craft Circus is a seaside restaurant and market overlooking the Harimanada Sea. The Awajishima Craft Marche offers local vegetables, Setouchi sea salt, soy sauce, miso, and other island products. 

Try the original gelato made with Awaji Island honey and sea salt, or pick up souvenirs before dinner. 

Click here for reservations

Location	CRAFT CIRCUS
Address	2-2 Nojima-Hirabayashi, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1724
Access	15 minutes by car from Awaji IC on Awaji-Kobe-Naruto Expressway. 10 minutes by car from Iwaya Port (Jenova Line Ferry). A free shuttle bus is available.
Parking	80 spaces
Business Hours	Weekdays: 10:30-20:30 (last order 19:30) Weekends/Holidays: 9:30-20:30 (last order 19:30)
Closed	Thursdays (excluding national holidays)
Tel	0799-82-1855
Website	https://awajicraftcircus.com/
Reservations	https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/craftcircus/reserve

Click here for details of CRAFT CIRCUS

4:30 PM | Arrive at SEIKAIHA 

SEIKAIHA has parking available on site; there is also a free shuttle bus stop. Before dinner, visit Koshunoya, the shop and bar specializing in aged Japanese sake. Aonoya also offers aged-sake tasting sets, making it an interesting introduction to the theme before dinner. 

5:00–5:30 PM | Dinner at SEIKAIHA Aonoya 

For the full sunset experience, aim to be seated about one to one and a half hours before sunset. The evening may unfold with: 

1. A toast overlooking the sea 
2. Appetizers and tempura 
3. Sunset over the Harimanada Sea 
4. Freshly prepared sushi 
5. Live music 
6. Projection mapping after sunset 
7. A message fruit plate 

The combination of food, changing light, music, and projection mapping creates a dinner that evolves throughout the evening. 

8:00 PM | Head Home or Stay Overnight 

For a day trip, head home after dinner. If you have more time, stay overnight and explore more of Awaji Island the next day. 

A One-Night Anniversary Getaway 

Day 1

For a slower trip, follow the same itinerary on Day 1 and stay overnight. 

One option is GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135°, located on a hill within Awajishima Park. Its cocoon-style villas feature hinoki baths and views toward the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Kansai International Airport. 

Day 2 

10:00 | Izanagi Jingu 

Visit one of Japan’s oldest shrines and see the sacred Meoto Ōkusu trees. 

12:00 PM | Lunch 

Enjoy lunch featuring Awaji Island ingredients, such as local beef or seafood. 

2:00 PM | Final Stop 

Visit Nojima Scuola, a former school transformed into a restaurant and shopping complex, or return to Craft Circus for local food and souvenirs. 

Closing 

An anniversary doesn’t have to mean dinner. During the day, SEIKAIHA Aonoya is filled with natural light, with the Harimanada Sea visible from the tiered seating. 

Lunch is a good option if you’re traveling farther away or have evening plans. Dinner offers a different atmosphere, with sunset, live music, and projection mapping becoming part of the experience.

Click here for reservations

Name	SEIKAIHA - Aonoya
Address	70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 A free shuttle bus is available.
Tel	0799-70-9020
Website	https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/
Reservations	https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/awaji-seikaiha/reserve
Operating Hours	11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays

Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Aonoya

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. How many people can use the anniversary plan? 

A. The welcome drink and message fruit plate option is designed for two guests. For three or more, contact the restaurant by phone. 

Q. Can the fruit plate be a surprise? 

A. Yes. Tell the restaurant your message and preferred serving time when making the reservation. Mention that it is a surprise if you want to keep it secret. 

Q. Is projection mapping shown every day? 

A. Yes. It is shown during dinner after sunset. The start time changes with sunset, so confirm it when making your reservation. 

Q. Can I always hear live music? 

A. The schedule varies by day. Contact Aonoya in advance to confirm. 

Q. Can I visit without a car? 

A. Yes. The Kita-Awaji West Coast Line highway bus from Kobe Sannomiya and Kosoku Maiko stops at Nojima Okawa (in front of SEIKAIHA), about a two-minute walk away. You can also take the Awaji Jenova Line high-speed ferry from Akashi Port to Iwaya Port and then take the free shuttle bus. 

Q. How much should I budget for dinner? 

A. Prices depend on the full-course meal you choose. The anniversary option adds ¥1,000 per person, plus drinks and other extras. Check current prices when making your reservation.