Awaji Yumebutai is a cultural and resort complex in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, designed by internationally renowned architect Tadao Ando. Built to restore a landscape damaged by large-scale soil excavation, the complex embodies the idea of harmony between architecture and nature. Its highlights include the Shell Beach, created with approximately one million scallop shells, and the expansive Awaji Greenhouse, where visitors can discover a remarkable variety of plants throughout the year.
The site was once occupied by Mount Nadayama, which stood approximately 160 meters high. During the 1960s, the mountain was excavated to provide earth and materials for the construction of Kansai International Airport. Tadao Ando subsequently launched a project to regenerate the damaged landscape and create a place where people, architecture, and nature could coexist.
Located on a hill overlooking the sea along the eastern coast of Awaji Island, Awaji Yumebutai is home to an international conference center, a resort hotel, an outdoor theater, botanical gardens, and other facilities. Its gardens, including the famous Hyakudanen, or Hundred Stepped Garden, are connected by walking paths, terraces, and decks, forming an extensive garden complex that invites visitors to explore at their own pace.
One of Tadao Ando’s signature projects, Awaji Yumebutai also served as a major venue for Japan Flora 2000, an international horticultural exhibition held in 2000. The site combines dramatic concrete architecture with carefully designed greenery and panoramic views of Osaka Bay.
Situated at the northern end of Awaji Island, Awaji Yumebutai can be reached from the Kobe and Maiko areas in a relatively short journey. The complex makes full use of the natural slopes, incorporating buildings, gardens, open spaces, and walkways into a layered landscape.
As visitors move through the grounds, new perspectives emerge around every corner. The interplay of geometric forms, exposed concrete, water, plants, and sunlight gives the architecture a distinctive character. The atmosphere changes with the seasons, weather, and time of day, making the complex an appealing destination for architecture enthusiasts, garden lovers, and travelers seeking a peaceful place by the sea.
This conference facility accommodates international meetings, academic conferences, training programs, corporate incentive events, and other gatherings. Surrounded by greenery and the sea, it offers a resort-style setting that differs from conventional urban convention centers.
Grand Nikko Awaji is a resort hotel located within Awaji Yumebutai. Formerly known as the Westin Awaji, the hotel opened in March 2000 in conjunction with the Awaji Flower Expo. Designed as part of the wider architectural complex, it is directly connected to the international conference center and forms an integrated resort and conference destination.
The hotel has 201 guest rooms, including eight suites and four Japanese-style rooms. In spring 2017, its upper-floor accommodation was renovated to create the Precious Floor, featuring ocean views from every room. The hotel adopted the Grand Nikko Awaji name in 2020.
The Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Yumebutai Greenhouse, known as Awaji Greenhouse, is a major indoor botanical attraction. It first opened on March 18, 2000, under the name Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum, or Miracle Planet Museum of Plants. Following a renovation, it reopened under its current name on September 18, 2021.
The exhibition greenhouse has a total floor area of approximately 6,700 square meters, making it one of Japan’s largest facilities of its kind. Its displays are organized into two main areas: the Symbiotic Culture Zone and the Flowers and Green Living Zone. Plants, flowers, artistic displays, and landscape design come together to create an immersive experience that explores the relationship between people and the natural world.
Hyakudanen is one of Awaji Yumebutai’s best-known landmarks. Built along a hillside overlooking the sea, it consists of 100 individual flower beds arranged in a dramatic stepped formation. The geometric layout creates a striking visual pattern, while the elevated position offers expansive views of Osaka Bay. The garden is particularly attractive when its seasonal flowers are in bloom.
The Promenade Garden is a collection of five gardens along a scenic walking route overlooking Osaka Bay. Visitors can stroll through the landscaped grounds, enjoy the changing vegetation, and appreciate how the gardens blend into the surrounding terrain.
Shell Beach is a distinctive open space covered with approximately one million scallop shells. The pale shells create a memorable contrast with the surrounding concrete architecture and greenery, making this one of the complex’s most unusual features.
The Sea of Fountains features water installations that contribute to the complex’s tranquil and atmospheric environment. Water, light, and architectural forms combine to create a distinctive visual experience.
The outdoor theater has approximately 2,000 permanent seats and an additional 1,000 lawn seats. Set against the natural landscape and the sea, it hosts a variety of performances and events. A separate small theater with 150 seats provides a more intimate venue for smaller gatherings and performances.
The complex also includes exhibition and event spaces, restaurants, shops, and open public areas such as the Oval Forum and the Observation Terrace. Visitors can enjoy meals, browse shops, or simply relax while taking in the architecture and scenery.
Awaji Yumebutai was conceived as a way to restore part of northern Awaji Island’s landscape after extensive excavation during a period of economic development. Under Tadao Ando’s direction, the site was transformed into a landmark that emphasizes coexistence between human activity and the natural environment.
The project has attracted attention both in Japan and internationally for its distinctive approach to architecture and landscape design. Rather than treating buildings and gardens as separate elements, it integrates them into a unified environment in which visitors can experience architecture through movement, light, greenery, and views of the sea.
Discover the architect’s characteristic use of exposed concrete, geometric forms, natural light, and carefully framed views. The buildings and gardens are designed to complement the surrounding landscape rather than dominate it.
The Church of the Sea is a contemplative space characterized by exposed concrete and atmospheric natural light. Its restrained design creates a striking, almost otherworldly setting. Access may depend on the facility’s operating arrangements.
Explore the 100 flower beds arranged along a stepped hillside and enjoy panoramic views across Osaka Bay. The garden’s striking geometry makes it one of the complex’s signature sights.
See the unusual landscape created with approximately one million scallop shells. Its expansive pale surface provides a distinctive contrast to the complex’s concrete structures and surrounding greenery.
Discover a wide variety of plants in a large indoor botanical environment that combines horticulture, artistic presentation, and landscape design.
This marina provides visitor berthing for recreational boats, offering an additional way to enjoy the coastal setting of Awaji Island.
Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park: A large national park adjacent to Awaji Yumebutai, featuring extensive gardens and open spaces for enjoying nature.
Awaji Oiso Art Mountain and the Ogishi Kakuya Museum of Art: An art destination near the former Westin Awaji, connected to the surrounding area by woodland walking paths.
Honpukuji Temple: A temple of the Shingon Buddhist tradition known for its Water Temple, designed by Tadao Ando. Its distinctive architecture incorporates a lotus pond above the main worship space.
Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park: A large natural park that forms part of the Awaji Island International Park City development alongside Awaji Yumebutai.
To commemorate Japan Flora 2000, the Blue Impulse aerobatic team performed a display flight over the area in 2000. Awaji Yumebutai has also appeared in television commercials and other media productions. The music for commercials released in 2016 was composed by Taro Kida, with vocals by Kaori Shiono.
The complex was also used as a filming location for the music video for “BAN,” the second single by the Japanese group Sakurazaka46. Locations featured in the video include the international conference center and the Oval Forum.
From Shin-Kobe Station or Sannomiya, take a highway bus operated by West Japan JR Bus or Honshi Kaikyo Bus and get off at Awaji Yumebutai-mae. Similar bus services are available from Kosoku Maiko, near the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Local sightseeing buses operated by Awaji City also serve the Awaji Yumebutai-mae stop.
From Higashiura Interchange on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, the complex is approximately 10 minutes away by taxi.
Awaji Yumebutai is an appealing destination for travelers interested in contemporary architecture, botanical gardens, coastal scenery, and peaceful walks. Its remarkable combination of Tadao Ando’s architectural vision and a regenerated natural landscape makes it one of Awaji Island’s most distinctive places to visit.