A website I visited mentioned some whirlpool, Awaji Westin (a hotel the England team stayed in during World Cup 2002), and also some onsens (hot springs); however, the two places that I actually visited and enjoyed were the Akashi bridge viewing spot and Suisensou, a narcissus farm. The viewing spot offers spectacular views of Kobe city and the majestic Akashi bridge; there is even a cafe where you can sit back to admire the scenery (both indoor and al fresco). Suisensou, on the other hand, is a pretty little narcisuss farm that grows several fields of the pretty yellow and white flowers. Set beside a hill and facing the sea, it is indeed a charming site. It's quite a pity, though, that there are fences and electricity poles dotting the area and spoiling an otherwise picture-perfect place. Other than the fields, there is one place in the farm itself worthy of mention, the eccentric Japanese sex museum (we were all perplexed initially when the entry ticket to Suisensou spoke of a secret place admissable only to adults). Other than the normal erotic pictures standard to all sex museums, this one's filled with wooden sculptures of giant penises and racoons making love. Bizarre, the Japanese people are.
Quick Tips:
Note: I think the narcissus blooms only in a certain period during winter, so it is important to check first before making the trip to Suisensou to prevent disappointment.Best Way To Get Around:
Awaji Island is quite a small place, and it's certainly not as developed as the bigger towns or cities. In fact, some of the roads we travelled on were really quite narrow. I believe the best way of transportation has to be by car.