Awaji Service Area is a popular highway rest stop located along the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Offering spectacular views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and a wide range of dining and leisure facilities, it is much more than a place to take a break during a drive. It is also a popular sightseeing destination in its own right and one of the largest service areas operated by Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company (JB Honshi).
Awaji Service Area is connected by a dedicated road to Awaji Highway Oasis, which is located within Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park. This connection allows visitors to travel conveniently between the service area’s inbound and outbound sections. Located next to Awaji Interchange, the service area is an ideal place to rest, enjoy a meal, and take in the scenery while traveling between Honshu and Shikoku.
One of the service area’s main attractions is the Ferris wheel on the outbound side, installed in May 2006. It has become a popular stop for visitors, especially during Japanese holiday periods. From the top, passengers can enjoy panoramic views of the Iwaya area of Awaji City and the impressive Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The scenery is particularly beautiful after dark, when the illuminated bridge and surrounding coastline create a memorable nighttime panorama.
The inbound section, serving traffic toward Kobe, has also been recognized as a Sacred Place for Lovers, making it a popular destination for couples seeking a romantic setting. Awaji Service Area is also notable for having the only fuel station among the three expressway routes managed by JB Honshi, making it an important stop for motorists traveling across the region.
Parking: The inbound area has spaces for 94 large vehicles, 325 standard vehicles, three trailers, and four vehicles displaying disability parking permits.
Restrooms: Facilities include 14 men’s large toilet stalls, 32 men’s urinals, 65 women’s toilet stalls, and three accessible or multipurpose restrooms.
Fuel Station: A self-service gas station operated by Taiyo Oil is open 24 hours a day. It switched from full service to self-service on March 19, 2011.
Restaurants and Cafés: Visitors can choose from restaurants, cafés, ramen shops, and other dining options. The snack corner is open 24 hours, making it convenient for travelers at any time of day or night.
Dog Run: A 24-hour dog run allows travelers to stretch their legs and give their dogs a chance to exercise during a long journey.
Outdoor Produce Stalls: Fresh vegetables are sold at outdoor stalls on public holidays, weekends, and Mondays.
Information Counter: The information counter opens daily at 9:00 a.m., with extended service hours on weekends and public holidays.
Parking: The outbound area has spaces for 89 large vehicles, 352 standard vehicles, three trailers, and four vehicles displaying disability parking permits.
Restrooms: Facilities include 15 men’s large toilet stalls, 31 men’s urinals, 62 women’s toilet stalls, and four accessible restrooms.
Fuel Station: The Taiyo Oil self-service gas station operates 24 hours a day. It was the first 24-hour fuel station established on the Honshu-Shikoku expressway network.
Restaurants and Cafés: Dining options include restaurants, Mister Donut, rice-bowl shops, and Starbucks, offering a variety of choices for meals, snacks, and drinks.
Ferris Wheel: The Ferris wheel operates from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and offers a memorable way to enjoy views of the bridge, coastline, and nighttime scenery.
Information Counter: Open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the counter provides sightseeing information, directions, and assistance to travelers.
Awaji-kita Smart Interchange is an ETC-compatible interchange connected to the Awaji Service Area and nearby facilities. It opened on March 29, 2020, and allows vehicles equipped with an ETC electronic toll collection system to enter or exit the expressway 24 hours a day. Drivers can access the expressway in both the Kobe-bound and Tokushima-bound directions, making it a convenient option for reaching destinations around northern Awaji Island.
The interchange project was approved on August 31, 2018, and the Awaji Highway Oasis Smart Interchange Council was established on March 8, 2019. Following the necessary authorization from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the interchange officially opened in March 2020.
The Awaji Second Toll Checkpoint helps manage traffic for motorists traveling between the inbound and outbound sections of the service area and Awaji Highway Oasis. Drivers making a U-turn or otherwise changing direction may need to have their toll ticket or other travel information checked here. Since March 13, 2009, electronic ETC communication has enabled vehicles to pass through without stopping for manual inspection, improving convenience for drivers.
With its panoramic bridge views, diverse dining options, 24-hour fuel stations, and attractions such as the Ferris wheel, Awaji Service Area offers much more than a conventional highway rest stop. Whether you are taking a short break, enjoying a meal, traveling with a dog, or looking for a beautiful place to admire the scenery, it is a rewarding place to stop while exploring Awaji Island or traveling between Honshu and Shikoku.