A Fun Project to Combat Heat Stroke by Promoting Awaji Island’s “Salt” Has Begun!
The “Uzu-no-Oka Great Naruto Bridge Memorial Hall,” operated by Uzunokuni Minami-Awaji Co., Ltd., is launching a project to eradicate heatstroke by promoting “Awaji Island Salt,” including Onokoro Shizuku Salt. “It’s Too Hot—Give Me Some Salt!!! Awaji Island Summer ‘Salt’ Festival!” starting Saturday, July 18, 2026. The event features not only limited-time gourmet foods, souvenirs, and photo spots, but also serious heatstroke prevention measures!? It’s a summer vacation event designed to help you enjoyably and excitedly weather the intense summer heat.
Have Fun Preventing Heat Stroke—Which Is on the Rise Year After Year—with Hands-On and Salt-Themed Events!
The annual number of people transported by ambulance due to heatstroke in Hyogo Prefecture typically ranges from approximately 2,000 to 4,000. Specifically, there have been years when more than 4,600 people were transported in Hyogo Prefecture alone, making it one of the regions that requires particular attention nationwide. Therefore, our company—with our entire staff working together—has devised a summer vacation event titled “It’s Too Hot for Chiki Salt!!! Awaji Island Summer ‘Salt’ Festival!” to promote Awaji Island salt while preventing heatstroke. This event allows participants to enjoy Awaji Island’s “salt” through hands-on activities and culinary experiences while taking steps to prevent heatstroke.
An event promoting self-crystallizing droplet salt made exclusively from seawater from Awaji Island!
"It's Too Hot for Chiki Shioooo! Awaji Island's Summer 'Salt' Festival!" highlights "Onokoro Shizuku Shio"—a type of salt produced on Awaji Island. We’ve invited Mr. Suezawa, the producer himself, to the event. You’ll have the chance to sample the salt and hear him share his passion for salt-making—stories you wouldn’t normally get to hear—making this a truly valuable experience!
■What is Jiko Shizuku Salt? The only ingredient in Jiko Shizuku Salt, produced at Goshiki Beach on the West Coast, is seawater. The seawater is pumped up, impurities are carefully removed, and it is slowly boiled over a wood fire. Created by salt artisan Teruyuki Suezawa with the goal of producing “salt that blends seamlessly with the human body,” this salt is characterized by a flavor in which a subtle sweetness, umami, and bitterness are exquisitely balanced. Furthermore, it is favored by more than 600 restaurants and retail stores nationwide.
Experiences, Cuisine, and Island Souvenirs! We’ve prepared activities where you can fully enjoy Awaji Island’s salt!
1. Self-Solidifying Droplet Salt Tasting Event!
Since it’s salt you eat every day, we want to make sure it’s the best! With that in mind, we’re offering a tasting of our naturally crystallized droplet salt for three days only, from July 18 to 20! ☆Exclusive to July 18! Mr. Suezawa, the producer of Jiko Shizuku Salt, will be making an appearance! You’ll get to hear about “the process behind making Jiko Shizuku Salt and behind-the-scenes stories you don’t usually get to hear!”
2. Chiki-shioooo! Photo cutout!
You can take a commemorative photo inside the salt kiln for naturally crystallized salt droplets, as if you were shouting, “It’s hot in here, Chiki Salt, ooooh!” It’s a rare opportunity to experience what it’s like to be “boiled” by salt! (Size: 1200 mm wide × 1800 mm tall)
・1st Floor Lobby: Open all day from July 18 to August 16
3. Chicken with salt—woohoo! Thin strips
Write down anything that makes you think, “Chiki-shio!” on a strip of paper♪ The person selected for “Best of Chiki-shio, Woohoo!” will receive a gift of naturally crystallized salt and onions! We’ll feature you on our official social media accounts.
・1st Floor Lobby: Open all day from July 18 to August 16
4. Set up salt-replenishment stations within the facility
To help prevent heatstroke, we’ve set up “Salt Replenishment Stations” featuring Jiko Shizuku Salt throughout the facility!
・1st Floor Lobby: Open all day from July 18 to August 16
6. How Many Grams? The "Just the Right Amount of Salt" Challenge
Take on the challenge with just one receipt from any of our stores! Try to guess the exact weight of the salt served in a barrel! Every day, one winner will be selected from among those who guess correctly to receive a gift of Jiko Shizuku Salt + Onion!
・1st Floor Lobby: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and August 11–16, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
7. Savor the naturally crystallized salt—Chiki Salt!!! Menu!
Thick-cut, chewy bone-in roast chicken served with naturally crystallized salt—Chiki-shioooo! New on the menu: Awaji Island conger eel and Awaji beef salt sukiyaki, served with a salt-based sauce!
・2nd Floor Restaurant: July 18–August 16 (10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)
8. Event Exclusive! The "Chiki Shioooo!" Burger Is Here!
The Awaji Island Chicken Salt Burger—available only for a limited time during this event! The juicy, thick-cut chicken pairs perfectly with our special onion-salt sauce made with naturally crystallized droplet salt! It’s also a great way to get a quick salt fix!
・1st Floor Outdoor Burger Shop: Open all day from July 18 to August 16 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
9. I’ll give you the cold shoulder with all my heart
If you speak to a staff member wearing a name tag that says, “I’ll treat you coldly with all my heart,” we’ll give you a wonderful gift!
・1st Floor Lobby: Open all day from August 11 to August 16
10. We've collected salt from Awaji Island!
A bountiful selection of Awaji Island “salt”! This summer, we’re treating you to a special feature showcasing our pride and joy: Awaji Island salt! We’re also planning a “Weekdays Only! Grab-a-bunch of candy with salt candies included for customers who spend 2,000 yen or more” event!
・1st Floor Shop "Uzu no Kuni": Open all day from July 18 to August 16
11. Naruo Gift Box Assembly Challenge!
Can you assemble the Naru Gift Box within the 3-minute time limit?! Sign up for the online store’s newsletter to get one chance to try! We’re also planning a special event on the official online store!
・1st Floor Lobby: Scheduled to take place from August 11 to 16, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
12. If your name includes the word “shio,” you get free admission to the Uzunetarium!
Limited-time event! If your name includes the character for “salt”—such as Shiota, Shiosaki, or Shiori—you’ll get free admission to the Uzunetarium! Plus, all visitors will receive a “Let’s all transform into the Whirlpool Family!” mask-making kit as a gift! ・1st Floor, Uzushio Science Museum: Held all day from July 18 to August 16
13. We’re hosting a workshop featuring creators from Awaji Island!
・Fonda Leatherworks: Leather Name Tag Keychain Workshop—Why not try your hand at creating your very own original leather piece using “Awaji Island Leather”?
・Scheduled for July 26, August 2, August 9, and August 13
・Arashi Takeshita's Portrait Event: A portrait event featuring Arashi Takeshita, a portrait artist based on Awaji Island! Don't miss this opportunity to create a summer vacation memory!
・Scheduled for August 8 and August 15
We are a tourist facility that aims to promote the attractions of Awaji Island and contribute to the development of the local community!
(Location: Minami-Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Yuji Miyachi) operates "Roadside Station Uzushio" and "Uzu no Oka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Museum" located 3 to 5 minutes by car from the Awaji Island Minami Interchange, where you can see the world's largest whirlpool tides below. It also sells mainly products that take advantage of Awaji Island, such as the famous "sea urchin shabu," "island octopus tataki chahan," the "Awajishima Burger," which has won first and second place in Japan, and original products that can only be purchased here. In fiscal 2024, the two facilities received approximately 730,000 visitors per year.
Finally.
A staff member stated, “We hope you’ll visit Uzu no Oka Great Naruto Bridge Memorial Hall on Awaji Island this summer vacation to enjoy Awaji Island’s salt and learn more about the producers and the island’s charm!” Uzu no Kuni Minami-Awaji Co., Ltd. will continue to plan content and events that our guests will enjoy. We are also committed to contributing to the development of the local community and striving to become a destination that everyone wants to visit. We would greatly appreciate it if your program or publication could cover this story.
For inquiries, please contact
Uzukuni Minami Awaji Co.
Public Relations: Hada
◆Telephone: 0799-52-2888 ◆Fax: 0799-52-0489
◆E-mail: a-hada@uzunokuni.com
◆Address: 936-3, Fukura Hei, Minami-Awaji, Hyogo 656-0503, Japan
