Yumebutai Awaji
- History
- Ando Tadao
- Attractions
- Westin Awaji Island Resort
- Hyakudanen Garden
- Miracle Planet Museum of Plants
- Access & Information
- Accommodation
- Area Map
- Japan City Guides
Awaji Yumebutai 淡路夢舞台
The Shell Garden, a series of shallow pools with one million seashells at Tadao Ando's Awaji Yumebutai on Awaji Island
Awaji Yumebutai is a unique site on Awaji Island that is somewhat hard to describe. It includes a resort hotel, an international conference center, a wedding chapel, an open air theater, and a botanical museum. There are also gardens, restaurants and shops, walks, and an array of unique structures in a park-like setting.
The Oval Forum by Tadao Ando, part of Yumebutai on Awaji Island
Somewhat reminiscent of a Roman villa, the Hillside Gallery at Awaji Yumebutai
History
The whole place was designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Ando Tadao and is built upon what was literally a wasteland. Across the water is Kansai International Airport, constructed on a man-made island.
The material to build the island had to come from somewhere, and millions of tons of earth were stripped from this part of Awaji Island. Ando suggested a project to use the wasteland and turn it into a multi-use place where people could gather and enjoy Japanese culture.
The Water Garden, part of the Yumebutai complex designed by Ando Tadao
Ando Tadao
If you are an admirer of Ando's work then Yumebutai, which translates as "Dream Stage", is a must visit place as there is probably the highest concentration of his works in one place.
Just about all of the elements found in his work are here, the geometry: rectangles, triangles, circles, spirals, ovals, triangles and so on.
Of course, there is a lot of concrete, the material Ando is most well known for. There is also lots of water including large areas of very shallow pools creating reflections. There is moving water as well, including a 10 meter wide cascade coming down the hillside. The space is traversed and explored along spiral walkways, paths, intersecting corridors, balconies and viewpoints.
The interplay of interior versus exterior space plus the contrast between light and shadow creates a complex, dynamic environment that changes as you move around the spaces and with the movement of the sun as the day passes.
The whole calls to mind the public spaces of classical Rome and Greece, the plazas, auditoriums, and especially the forums. At times it feels like a Roman villa and at others like the great palace gardens of Europe. It is also somewhat reminiscent of a folly, those curious architectural oddities wealthy landowners built for themselves in the grounds of their country houses.
The Hyakudanen, 100 stepped gardens cascading down the hillside at Awaji Yumebutai
Attractions
Of course, nowadays such grand architectural monuments and spaces are usually museum/culture center complexes, and increasingly the ever bigger shopping mall type complexes. However, Yumebutai doesn't really fall into either of these categories.
It was intended to open Yumebutai to coincide with that of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, but the 1994 Hanshin Earthquake epicenter was nearby and necessitated the altering of the design. Also Ando decided to incorporate a memorial to the earthquake victims into the site.
Above the Hyakudanen Garden at Yumebutai with views across Osaka Bay
Inside the Miracle Planet Museum of Plants, one of the biggest greenhouses in Japan
Westin Awaji Island Resort
The Westin Awaji Island Resort incorporates the hotel and conference center as well as the wedding chapel. Probably most well known for hosting David Beckham and the England football team during the 2002 World Cup. Most facilities here are, of course, for the guests.
Hyakudanen Garden
In the free part of Yumebutai probably the spot most visitors gravitate towards is the Hyakudanen Garden composed of 100, 4.5 meter square flower beds arranged up the hillside.
Throughout the year the display changes as different plants bloom. With a wide cascade of water running down, the gardens are accessed by 235 staircases. There is also an elevator for those who want to start at the top and walk down. The views from the garden look down on the Yumebutai complex and out across Osaka Bay. There are also woodland walks that lead to an even higher observatory.
Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum at Awaji Yumebutai on Awaji Island
Miracle Planet Museum of Plants
There are a few shops and restaurants in Yumebutai, but after the Hyakudanen probably the place most visitors head for is the Miracle Planet Museum of Plants. At 6,700 square meters it is one of the biggest greenhouses in Japan.
Previously known as Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum, the greenhouse is unusually entered along a long walkway up near the roof so you first get to view everything from on high.
Then you follow the paths pass through the various sections of the greenhouse. There's a "dry" garden with cacti and succulents, a tropical garden, ferns, and a flower show section.
Some of the gardens are based around suggestions on how to use plants in your own home and garden spaces, and you will also be reminded often about Japan's "unique" sense of nature and its people's relationship with the natural world.
Outside there is a large rose garden and even a mushroom garden. You can take a break in the cafe that serves seasonal snacks and drinks.
Inside the Botanical Museum at Awaji Yumebutai
Akashi Kaikyo Park
Adjacent to Yumebutai is the Akashi Kaikyo Park, a more traditional park about the same size as Yumebutai. It is divided up into various areas and includes lots of flowers that come into bloom at different times during the year. There are large grassy areas for picnicking and play as well as a spacious barbecue area. There is a large lake that you can rent boats on and several big play areas with equipment for kids.
Access & Information
Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum
4-Yumebutai, Awaji-shi, Hyogo 656-2306
Tel: 0799 74 1200
Open from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on the 2nd Thursday in July & November.
Entry is 600 yen but occasionally higher for special exhibitions.
Akashi Kaikyo Park
8-10-Yumebutai, Awaji-shi, Hyogo 656-2306
Open 9.30 am to 6 pm (April to August), until 5 pm (September, October, & March), and until 4.30 pm (November to February).
Entry is 450 yen, under 15 year olds go free.
Yumebutai is accessible in 60 minutes by express bus from Shin-Kobe or Sannomiya Station bound for Higashiura Bus Terminal. The bus also stops near JR Maiko Station. It is ten minutes by local bus from Iwaya Port where the ferry from Akashi docks.
Awaji is easily reached from nearby Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto or Osaka.
Entrance to Akashi Kaikyo Park
Accommodation in Awaji
Area Map
Nearby Places of Interest
Akashi Castle - built in 1619 to protect the approach to Osaka from the west.
Shimanami Kaido - 60 kilometer expressway that links the main island of Honshu with the island of Shikoku.
Maiko Park - a pleasant park with views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and some historic residences.
World Peace Giant Kannon - once one of the largest statues in the world it is now virtually abandoned.
Honpukuji Temple - Ando Tadao's famed "Water Temple."
Awajishima Museum - dedicated to the history and culture of the island.
Sumoto Castle - Japan's oldest reconstructed castle.
Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park - is located at the epicenter of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.
Awaji Puppet Theater - has daily performances of Awaji Ningyo Joruri.
Izanagi Jingu & Onokorojima Shrine - two important shrines connected with Japan's creation myth.
Book Hotel Accommodation in Kobe Japan
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Awaji Yumebutai designed by Tadao Ando includes a resort hotel, a conference center, a wedding chapel, an open air theater and a botanical museum.