Awaji Service Area
(Highway Rest Stop)

Awaji Service Area is located at the foot of the huge Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The area offers many observation decks and various photo opportunity spots. The mascot character of the Honshu-Shikoku expressway, Wataru, gives you a hand to help you take a nice photo with the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge as a backdrop.
You can return in the same direction from the Awaji Service Area without getting off the toll road, as the inbound lane area (upper side) and the outbound lane area (downside) are connected within the toll road. The Awaji Service Area allows for u-turns off the expressway, so you can stop by going along either the inbound (upper side) and outbound (lower side) lanes without getting off the expressway.

The Ferris wheel is set up along the outbound lane area and offers spectacular views of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe City, the Akashi Strait, and Osaka Bay.
The Heart Light Gate monument in the inbound lane area features a large square frame, which offers a clear camera-like view with the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in the background. As sunlight shines down, the holes on the gate’s ceiling create a heart shape from above. This romantic setup is known as the “Lovers’ Sanctuary”. We also recommend visiting the Hashi no Mieru Oka Gallery (Bridge View Gallery).

Both lanes have restaurants and food courts that serve local specialties, such as onion and beef dishes from Awaji Island, and the shop sells a variety of different souvenir goods.
It is connected with another road station facility, Awaji Highway Oasis, which again does not require getting off the expressway. So, you can fill the whole day with activities without leaving the expressway.