HyogoLeisure

Eshima (絵島)

Flow of the course

About 45 min here

About 15 min to the next stop

Next stop: Lunch of Awaji seafood at the foot of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

About this spot

Eshima (絵島) is a tiny island of only a small circumference floating beside the harbor of Iwaya in Awaji City. It is said to be the island that appears in the myth of the creation of the land, and it has long been loved as a symbol of Awaji. The combination of the striped layers of sandstone carved out by waves and wind with the small shrine standing at its summit has a far stranger presence in person than in photographs. Being next to the harbor, you can also sense the life of the island itself through the fishing boats coming and going and the smell of the sea. Awajishima Park (淡路島公園) is only about 10 minutes away by car, a good distance for a first stop of the morning.

Tips

Access to the island itself is restricted, so you will be viewing it from the shore. There is little to block the sun, so put a hat on the children from the start. The harbor of Iwaya and its shops are nearby, so you can restock drinks here. Sea spray can make footing slippery, so keep hold of your children's hands near the water.