Right after you cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the service area at the gateway to Awaji Island turns into a festival for one day. The westbound (kudari) Awaji Service Area on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway will hold a “Customer Appreciation Day” on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 to 15:00. It is organized by JB Highway Service, co-hosted by Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway, Awaji Route Service and URA (Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture), which runs the food zone of the westbound service area. Expect hands-on, family-friendly activities featuring Awaji Island’s local specialties and traditional performing arts.
An Awaji onion quiz and activities for kids
Awaji Service Area sits where you arrive on the island after crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — a kind of front door, with restaurants, a food court, shops and an observation terrace. One of the day’s highlights is “Mekata de Don!”, a weight-guessing quiz using onions grown on Awaji Island. Guess the weight of onions totaling 1 kg and, if you get it right, you take the onions home. You get one try for each receipt showing a purchase of ¥1,000 or more at the service area, and even if you miss you still get one onion. It starts at 10:00 and ends when the onions run out.
There is also a corner where you decorate your own can badge with stickers and masking tape (you can keep the badge for free), and a chance to see the “working vehicles” used for expressway traffic management. You can even put on a traffic patrol uniform for a souvenir photo. The telescopes are free to use too.
Taiko drumming and Awaji puppet theater on stage
Young local performers take the stage. On the observation deck stage, the taiko drum club of AIE International High School will play Japanese drums twice, at 10:30 and 13:00. On the indoor stage, the local performing arts club of Minamiawaji City Nandan Junior High School and the local culture club of Minamiawaji City Mihara Junior High School will perform Awaji Ningyo Joruri, the island’s signature traditional puppet theater, twice, at 11:00 and 13:30. Arrive in the morning and you can catch the 10:30 drumming and the 11:00 puppet show back to back. Enjoying the island’s performing arts without even leaving the expressway is something only a service area can offer.
Wataru, the symbol character of the Honshu-Shikoku bridges, will also appear three times, at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00. Modeled on a bridge pier, he is 200 cm tall, weighs 120 kg, enjoys driving and is good at dancing.
Appreciation sale through November 3
At the same time, a “Customer Appreciation Sale” will offer selected items at 20% off. It runs from 10:00 on Saturday, October 17 to 18:00 on Tuesday, November 3 (a national holiday), at both the eastbound and westbound sides of Awaji Service Area and of Awajishima-minami Parking Area. Even if you cannot make the event day, you can stop by during an autumn drive on Awaji Island.
The program may change or be canceled due to weather or other conditions.
Event details
- Event: Customer Appreciation Day
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10:00–15:00
- Location: Awaji Service Area (westbound), E28 Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway
- Main activities: “Mekata de Don!” weight-guessing quiz (one try per receipt of ¥1,000 or more), original can badge making, working vehicle viewing, taiko drumming (from 10:30 / from 13:00), Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet theater (from 11:00 / from 13:30), appearances by Wataru (from 10:00 / from 12:00 / from 14:00)
- Customer Appreciation Sale: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10:00 – Tuesday, November 3 (holiday), 18:00; selected items 20% off at Awaji Service Area (both directions) and Awajishima-minami Parking Area (both directions)
- Organizer: JB Highway Service Co., Ltd.
- Co-hosts: Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Co., Ltd., Awaji Route Service Co., Ltd., URA Co., Ltd.
- Inquiries: JB Highway Service Awaji Sales Center (2568 Aza 假田, Iwaya, Awaji, Hyogo), Tel. 0799-72-4715
