Scent, indigo, pearls, and horses—
The four hands-on crafts I experienced on Awaji Island each carry a quiet kindness unique to this place.
The sea breeze gently lightens the traveler’s heart, and the sunset eases the rhythm of the day.
It’s a mysterious island with the power to unwind the busyness of city life without you even noticing.
For this trip, I chose four experiences that allowed me to feel the charm of Awaji Island more deeply.
Each one offers a glimpse into the everyday life and lifestyle of the island’s people.

1.Kunjudō — Over 130 Years of Craftsmanship
Transforming Scents into Tangible Memories
Located about an hour’s drive from Kobe Airport, Awaji Island has long been known as one of Japan’s leading producers of incense.
Its deep-rooted fragrance culture is evident in places like Karekijinja Shrine, where the deity of fragrance is enshrined.
Inside the showroom of Kunjudō, a company with more than a century of history, rows of incense ingredients such as sandalwood, agarwood,
cinnamon bark, and various traditional herbal materials line the shelves in perfect order.
A gentle, soothing aroma from these natural materials drifts quietly through the space, inviting visitors into the world of fragrance.

Mixing, rolling, and cutting the incense into fine strands—
ach movement feels almost like meditation.
The faint tint and warmth of the incense powder left on your fingertips
quietly kindle a small light within your heart.

You can take the incense you made home with you,
and the moment you light it, the quiet time you spent on Awaji Island gently returns.
The experience of creating rather than simply buying—
that is what becomes a truly special memory of the journey.

2. Onokoro Ai — Indigo Dyeing with an Ocean View
A Single Shade of Blue, Dyed with the Sea Breeze
Indigo dyeing can be found throughout Japan,
but there are few places where the sea and indigo fields stretch before you at the same time.
At Onokoro Ai, the husband-and-wife artisans cultivate their own indigo plants,
sharing the story of how the leaves sprout, ferment, and eventually transform into dye.
Their gentle storytelling makes you feel as though you are witnessing the life of indigo itself.
The scent rising from the indigo vat,the warmth of the sunlight,and the sound of the waves—
all of these gently blend together,letting time flow in that uniquely relaxed Awaji Island way.

When you submerge the fabric into the deep indigo and slowly lift it back up,
the blue gradually begins to reveal itself.
Simply watching this transformation brings a quiet sense of calm to your heart.
The finished scarf carries layers of deep indigo, ocean blue, and white,
each tone overlapping beautifully.
It shines with the warmth and individuality that only handcrafted work can offer.

Even when you simply hang it in a corner of your home,
it brings back the memory of that day’s sea breeze as if it were drifting in again.

3. Awaji Island “Shimadama” – Pearls that Hold the Island’s Delicate Spirit
A Single Bead Filled with the Subtle Beauty of the Island
Awaji Island is home to a small yet uniquely special craft industry:
Shimadama, pearls created from the nucleus used in real pearl cultivation.
Each bead is carefully polished and layered with color by skilled artisans,
creating a depth and radiance reminiscent of genuine pearls.
Yet despite their beauty and craftsmanship, Shimadama pieces remain surprisingly accessible—
a charm that makes them even more beloved.

In the workshop, you can choose your favorite colors and fittings,
creating a one of a kind accessory that exists nowhere else in the world.

Every moment—choosing the materials, watching them take shape—
becomes a story of its own.

The shop is filled with Awaji made goods and fragrance items,
and the space is so cozy that you can take your time crafting while enjoying a cup of coffee.

4. Share Horse Island — A Small Ranch Where Rescued Horses Teach a Gentle Kind of Time
The Quiet Warmth You Feel When You Stand Beside a Life

Share Horse Island is a small ranch located in the southern part of Awaji Island.
Living here are three former racehorses and a handful of chickens.
The ranch began when the owner decided to take in horses that could no longer continue racing—
horses that otherwise would have been put down—
giving them a place where they could live again.
The experience you have here is not a quick “tourist stop.”
As you face each horse—its expressions, its heartbeat, the rhythm of its breathing—
a gentle warmth of life softly reaches you.

What’s even more remarkable is their summer only “horseback riding in the sea” experience.
As you slowly guide the horse into the shallow water,
its body begins to float gently as if it were swimming.
It’s a truly magical moment—
an experience that could only happen on Awaji Island.

The feeling of walking through the sea alongside a horse,
with the ocean breeze brushing against your skin,
becomes one of those unforgettable summer moments you discover only in adulthood.

There is also a unique program where you can “practice yoga with a horse.”
Feeling the warmth and gentle sway of the horse’s body beneath you
brings a kind of deep healing that you won’t find anywhere else.
Even simply watching the horses is enough
to soften something quietly within your heart.
It is that kind of place.

Awaji Island is a place whose appeal cannot be captured by scenery alone.
The sea, the sunset, the cafés, the lush greenery—
its beauty goes beyond landscapes.
It lies in the care woven into everyday life.
Creating fragrance, dyeing indigo, polishing pearls, connecting with horses—
these are ordinary parts of life for the people of the island,
yet for travelers, they become unforgettable stories.
For those who love handmade crafts,
for those who seek warmth in their travels,
for those who wish to feel the kindness of people—
these four experiences will gently lead you
one step deeper into the heart of Awaji Island.

・Awaji Island – Local Experience Spots
1　Kunjudō — A 130-Year-Old Incense Maker
Highlight: One of the island’s most renowned incense makers.
Visitors can enjoy hands-on workshops such as making incense, scented sachets,
and traditional Japanese senkō (incense sticks).
Address: 1255-1 Taga, Awaji City, Hyogo
Official Website: https://kunjudo.co.jp/

2　Onokoro Ai — Indigo Dyeing Studio with an Ocean View
Highlight: A hands-on studio where visitors can learn the full process of indigo dyeing—from growing the indigo plants to fermenting and dyeing.
Its location overlooking the sea makes the experience especially memorable.
Address: 1185 Kamaguchi, Awaji City, Hyogo
Official Website: http://onokoro.blue

3　carrat + (Carrat Plus) — Shimadama Crafting & Curated Island Souvenirs
Highlight: Offers a hands on workshop where you can make Awaji Island’s signature Shimadama pearls. The shop also carries a wide selection of island inspired goods, fragrances, and accessories.
Address: 925 1 Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carratplus/

4　 Share Horse Island — A Small and Gentle Horse Ranch
Highlight: A warm, community run ranch that rescues former racehorses. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding, unique “horse yoga,” and quiet time spent connecting with the animals.
Address: Around 1918 1 Toriikaura, Goshiki cho, Sumoto City, Hyogo
Official Website: https://share-horse.com