Amazing architecture meets natural beauty

This article is published in Tokyo Weekend Volume. 2, 2025.
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In the mesmerizing, spiraling curls of Cerulean and Ivory, formed in the world’s largest vortex (the largest vortex in the world), is just one aspect of Awaji Island’s Prismatic Beauty. Awaji Island in Noogo County floats on Seto Inland Sea, a picturesque escape from Kansai. It offers lush seasonal flora, charming beaches, spa resorts and cooking gems. The island is also one of the most popular onion producing areas in the country, and its sweet, fragrant light bulbs are affectionately called Onion Island.

Aside from the charm of Awaji Island, the charm of being an Eden resort is rich in cultural history and dynamic artistic landscapes. Creation myth describes the seaside oasis as the first island of Japan, formed by Izanagi and the goddess Izanami, who emerge from the original chaos and stir the depths of the ocean with the spears from heaven.

Today, the island’s mythical sites and modern architectural interventions are fascinating. The architectural collection of Awaji Island is defined by the geometric form of Tadao Ando, ​​which is an aesthetic and photographer’s dream.

Water Temple

The main hall of Honpukuji is different from any other Buddhist shelter in Japan, rather than by a grand roof, but by a huge oval lotus pond that reflects the quiet rhythm of the sky and surrounding greenery.

Ando reconceived the spiritual structure by Tadao Ando in 1991, also known as Mizumido (Water Temple). Instead of advancing towards the altar, Ando envisions a dramatic drop: a shadowed staircase splits the water mirror into and attracts you to the interior of the temple.

The outer entrance of the temple is pure and minimalist, consisting of white gravel paths and gently bent concrete walls to indicate a subtle transition from ordinary to spirituality. Inside is a lattice corridor with a rich vermilion tones, which eventually reaches Honpukuji’s main altar. As a special shelter for the Omura school in Shingon Sect, the temple occupied the Buddha Yakushi Nyorai of Healing. Visit in the afternoon and experience the core of the temple in the most surreal identity as the sun shines in the crimson light.

Awaji Yumebutai

It’s hard to imagine, but this lush and spacious complex once was a wasteland- exposed after a large-scale excavation of the construction of the Kansai International Airport. Tadao Ando strives to completely transform the space, enhancing the scenic beauty of Awaji Island with modern architectural elements – designing tranquil gardens, conference centers, churches, open-air theaters and other places where humans and nature can coexist.

Yumebutai’s name means “Dream Stage,” embodies the unique, graceful silhouettes and evocative minimalism of its architects, seamlessly harmonious with the island’s tranquil natural beauties. Smooth concrete planes and precise geometric forms cast changing shadows and light patterns, giving photographers endless opportunities, or just for quiet contemplative moments.

One hundred steps into the garden

While you can spend a whole day wandering around Yumebutai, the gems that must be visited are Hyakudanen, or a hundred stepping gardens created to commemorate the victims of the 1995 Great Han Sing earthquake. The unique sight perched on a sloped hill consisting of a hundred square terraces formed in a curious cascade grid reminiscent of McEscher prints.

Each square contains a quadrant of symmetrical flower beds composed of seasonal flora. Ando combines nature and skills in a typical way to build the vibrant organic form of the garden with strict precision. As a work of life in art, Hyakudanen arouses awe and contemplation.

Loop forums and oval forums

Nearby, the Circular Forum and the Oval Forum stand in the center of Yumebutai. As the name suggests, these two structures are open-air spaces made of exposed concrete, similar to a stadium or an amphitheater. From the ground, the wanderer can observe the sky disk above.

The circular forum has several slopes within the layered walls, and visitors can experience the space from different angles. At the top is an observation area overlooking Yumebutai. The oval forum has higher curved walls with asymmetric day d.

Zenbo Seinei

Tadao Ando isn’t the only architect to win the Awaji Island title award: Shigeru Ban is the visionary behind the breathtaking wellness facility called Zenbo Seinei, the heart of the island.

Opened in spring 2022, the retreat is a slender treehouse-style building made of Japanese cedar and other woods that raise a vibrant forest. Here, customers can participate in Zazen meditation and yoga on the 100-meter-long wooden deck, enjoying fresh air and enjoying original vegetarian cuisine. Overnight accommodation is also available, including activities such as guidance on meditation, calligraphy and tea rituals.

More information

To learn more about Awaji Island, visit their website.

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