Awaji island (Awaji-shima) in Japan's Inland Sea is linked to Honshu island via the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi Bridge, and to Shikoku island via the Naruto Ohashi Bridge.
Sumoto Castle on Awaji Island is a reconstructed castle but still has many of its original stone walls. There are superb views from the top of the hill where it is located.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Tour: View this engineering marvel on a tour from the Akashi side of the bridge and get spectacular views and learn how the bridge was built.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge connects Kobe city on Honshu to Iwaya on Awaji Island. It was completed in 1998 and remains the longest suspension bridge in the world.
Akashi Castle: Akashi Castle in Akashi city in Hyogo Prefecture western Japan was built in 1619 to help protect Osaka from possible attack by Tozama daimyo.
Awaji island (Awaji-shima) in Japan's Inland Sea is linked to Honshu island via Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi Bridge, and to Shikoku island via the Naruto Ohashi Bridge.
Since its creation in 1982, shopping malls, amusement parks and restaurants have blossomed in the Kobe Harborland district, transforming the small port area into a leisure temple.
Smaller and more recent than the ones in Yokohama and Nagasaki, Chinatown in Kobe is distinguished by its particularly lively streets and vibrant colors.
Kobe Ijinkan: read a guide to Kitano-cho at the foot of Mt Rokko, an area of Meiji Period Western-style residences which are now fashionable museums and cafes.
Kobe Ijinkan (Western Houses): Today there are a handful of mansions and former consulates remaining in Kitano-cho, Kobe that are now open to the public.
