Awaji, Hyōgo

Awaji (淡路市, Awaji-shi) is a city located on Awaji Island in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

The modern city of Awaji was established on April 1, 2005, from the merger of the former town of Awaji, absorbing the towns of Tsuna, Higashiura, Hokudan and Ichinomiya (all from Tsuna District).

As of July 1, 2012, the city has an estimated population of 47,457 with 19,643 households and a population density of 257.85 persons per km². The total area is 184.05 km².

Notable local places to visit are Awaji Yumebutai (Kiseki No Hoshi Greenhouse), Nojima Fault (the focus of the Great Hanshin earthquake), Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, Honpuku-ji Temple and Awaji World Park Onokoro.

Kansai University of Nursing and Health Sciences is also located in the city.

Education

The Awaji City Library serves Awaji. In 1999 this library and the West Bloomfield Library in West Bloomfield, Michigan in Metro Detroit were paired as sister institutions.

Bicycle rental scheme

Jointly with Minami Awaji and Sumoto, the city operates a low-cost electric bike rental scheme, designed to attract visitors to stay for more than one day in order to explore the island.