Awaji Resort & Spa NEMU RESORT occupies an exceptional position on the Pacific-facing coast of Awaji Island, the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and a place of creation mythology in Japan's oldest written chronicles. Set within the Awaji Yumebutai complex at 2 Yumebutai, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, the resort sits within a master-planned landscape conceived by architect Tadao Ando, who transformed a former industrial earthwork site into a network of stepped terraced gardens, conference pavilions, and open green spaces commanding views over the Pacific Ocean and the island's interior hills. The resort building integrates sympathetically with Ando's cascading garden design, and ocean-facing guest rooms on upper floors deliver sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea — a panorama that shifts character between morning mist, afternoon blue, and amber island sunsets. Accommodation ranges from Deluxe Ocean View rooms to private villas with dedicated outdoor terraces, catering to both short leisure breaks and extended retreats. The spa programme encompasses Japanese and Western body treatments in rooms with natural light and garden outlooks. An outdoor infinity-edge pool aligned with the sea horizon and a heated indoor pool operate separately; the outdoor pool is available seasonally in the warmer months. The fine-dining restaurant draws on Awaji's exceptional local produce — the island's onions (awaji-no-tamanegi) are among the most celebrated vegetables in Japan — alongside fresh seafood from the surrounding straits including Akashi sea bream and Naruto whirlpool-caught fish. The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge connecting Awaji to Kobe is visible from the resort gardens on clear days, and drives across the island to the Naruto Straits viewpoints take under forty minutes.
Room types
- Deluxe Ocean View (from ¥30,000/$201)
- Suite (from ¥60,000/$401)
- Villa (from ¥90,000/$601)
Amenities
- Ocean-view rooms
- Outdoor & indoor pools
- Spa treatments
- Fine dining
- Private beach access
- Garden
Location
2 Yumebutai, Awaji, Hyogo 656-2306
34.5225, 134.9760 View on map
Highlights
- Ocean-view rooms and private villas within Tadao Ando's Yumebutai landscape design
- Infinity-edge outdoor pool and heated indoor pool overlooking the Seto Inland Sea
- Fine dining featuring Awaji Island sweet onions, Akashi sea bream, and local seafood
- Full spa with Japanese and Western treatment menus in natural-light treatment rooms
- Tadao Ando terraced gardens open to resort guests for a half-day of exploration
Tips for visiting
- The outdoor infinity pool is open seasonally (typically May through October); confirm access dates when booking a stay outside peak summer months.
- Awaji Island onions are celebrated from May to July; the fine-dining restaurant features them prominently in the spring and early summer seasonal menus.
- Driving is the most practical way to reach the resort; the Awaji IC exit of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway is approximately five minutes away.
- Highway buses from Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal serve a stop at Yumebutai in approximately 60 to 70 minutes; confirm the correct stop when boarding.
- Allocate half a day for the Tadao Ando terraced gardens at Yumebutai — they are a significant architectural and landscape attraction in their own right.
Accessibility
NEMU RESORT at Awaji Yumebutai has step-free lobby access and lifts to all guest floors. The Tadao Ando-designed Yumebutai garden terraces involve significant stepped platforms and ramps that may limit full access for wheelchair users. Guests with mobility requirements should contact the resort directly to discuss accessible room options and which garden and facility areas are navigable.
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Frequently asked questions
How do guests reach NEMU RESORT from Kobe?
By car, the resort is approximately 60 minutes from central Kobe via the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, exiting at Awaji IC. Highway buses from Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal also serve a Yumebutai stop in approximately 60 to 70 minutes.
Who designed the Yumebutai complex?
The Awaji Yumebutai complex, including the cascading terraced gardens and pavilions, was designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando and opened in 2000.
What local produce is featured in the resort's restaurant?
The restaurant highlights Awaji Island's famous sweet onions, fresh seafood from the Akashi and Naruto straits including sea bream and squid, and seasonal local vegetables.
Is the outdoor pool open year-round?
The outdoor infinity pool operates seasonally, typically from spring through early autumn. A heated indoor pool is available outside those months; guests should confirm current pool schedules when reserving.
Are private villas available at the resort?
Yes, private villa accommodation with dedicated outdoor terraces is available at the upper end of the room tier, offering greater privacy and unobstructed ocean views compared to standard guest rooms.