Awaji Province, Historical province on Awaji Island, Japan.
Awaji Province covers the entire Awaji Island, situated between the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku in the eastern Seto Inland Sea. Today, the territory is divided into three municipal cities: Awaji in the north, Sumoto in the center, and Minamiawaji in the south.
The province was established in the 7th century as part of the Nankaido region and originally contained two districts. During later provincial reorganization, the territory was incorporated into Hyogo Prefecture rather than neighboring regions.
The name Awaji comes from Japanese words meaning "Road to Awa," reflecting how the island served as a passage between central Japan and Awa Province to the south.
Exploring this former province is best done by car or public transport, connecting the three separate cities that each offer different sights and attractions. Each city has local museums and historical sites to discover independently.
When provinces were reorganized in modern times, residents chose to join Hyogo Prefecture rather than the nearby Tokushima Prefecture due to regional political differences. This decision remains a notable moment in how the island identified itself administratively.
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