Uzunokuni Minami Awaji's Uzunooka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall will host the "New Onion Festival - A Wonderful Spring Has Come to Uzunooka Again!" from March 20 (Friday) to March 30 (Monday), 2026, coinciding with the harvest and sales season of Awaji Island's signature spring specialty, new onions.
A Festival Celebrating Awaji Island's New Onions
Awaji Island's new onions are grown in a temperate climate and are known to have higher sugar content compared to regular onions. They are exceptionally sweet, juicy, and mild in flavor. The varieties harvested from around March (extra-early) to May (early) are called new onions, featuring tender flesh that can be enjoyed raw in salads or with a soft, melting texture when cooked.
Eat, Enjoy, and Experience the Appeal of Awaji Island
The New Onion Festival aims to delight visitors from across the country through new onion dishes and experiential content, promoting the producers and the charms of Awaji Island. The number of farms on the island decreased by 32.5% when comparing 2000 and 2020, with the decline expected to continue (data on farm and worker decline in Minami Awaji City). By hosting the New Onion Festival, the organizers hope to communicate the appeal of this regional specialty product and contribute to the development of the local economy.
All Dishes and Activities Are Original
All dishes and experiential content offered at the New Onion Festival are original concepts created by the staff. The team worked earnestly to answer the question: "How can we communicate the appeal of new onions in an enjoyable way?" The event is designed for visitors of all ages, from children to adults.
Event Details
Event Name: New Onion Festival - A Wonderful Spring Has Come to Uzunooka Again!
Dates: March 20 (Friday) to March 30 (Monday), 2026
Venue: Uzunooka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (varies by shop)
Official Website: https://kinen.uzunokuni.com/
Amazing Spring New Onion Menu
The scenic restaurant Uzunooka will offer limited-time hearty menus and new-texture dishes featuring generous amounts of new onions.
Official Website: https://rest.uzunokuni.com/
New Awaji Island Burger with Fresh Onions
Enjoy limited-edition Awaji Island burgers and side dishes made with new onions.
Official Website: https://awajishimaburger.uzunokuni.com/
Onion Dressing Collection Festival
A collection of dressings that make new onions even more delicious. Find your favorite! New onion tastings will also be held periodically.
Official Website: https://www.uzunokuni.net/
New Onion All-You-Can-Stuff Challenge (Daily During Event Period)
Challenge yourself to stuff as many fresh new onions as you can for ¥500. Get seasonal new onions at a great price.
*Limited to first 30 participants on weekdays, first 40 on weekends
Just Onion Challenge (Daily During Event Period)
Guess how many new onions are stacked and vote. Guess correctly and win all the onions! If no one guesses correctly, the stack carries over to the next day.
Share Your Love for Onions (Daily During Event Period)
Declare your love for onions and tag the official Instagram to be featured.
Portrait Drawings - New Onion Version
Portrait corner by a caricature artist from Minami Awaji City. Get your portrait done while enjoying the event and receive it digitally.
*¥1,000 per person
New Onion Bowling Tournament (Daily During Event Period)
Aim for a strike using new onion balls to knock down pins representing cherry salmon, Awaji Island's spring seasonal fish. Free to participate and open to everyone at the Uzushio Science Museum.
Official Website: https://kinen.uzunokuni.com/kagakukan/
Awaji Island Onion Subscription Booth
An official online subscription booth will appear periodically where you can purchase Awaji Island onions. Those who sign up during the event period will receive one complimentary bottle of their choice of exclusive dressing.
Official Website: https://www.uzunokuni.net/
About Uzunooka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall
Uzunokuni Minami Awaji Co., Ltd. operates both "Roadside Station Uzushio" and "Uzunooka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall," located 3 to 5 minutes by car from Awaji Island South Interchange, offering views of the world's largest whirlpools below. Roadside Station Uzushio reopened in October 2025 and features the Scenic Observation 360° (Sanrokumaru), offering 360-degree views of the Awaji Island sea, along with lunch and souvenir options.
Uzunooka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Hall serves signature dishes including "uni shabu," "Island Octopus Tataki Tea Rice," and the nationally award-winning "Awaji Island Burger" (1st and 2nd place nationwide), along with exclusive original products featuring Awaji Island ingredients. The giant onion object "Ottamanegi®" is a popular photo spot with Naruto Strait as a backdrop, attracting visitors from across the country. In fiscal year 2024, both facilities welcomed approximately 730,000 visitors.
The staff invites visitors to experience the deliciousness and appeal of Awaji Island's new onions with excitement through the New Onion Festival. Uzunokuni Minami Awaji Co., Ltd. continues to plan content and events that bring joy to guests while contributing to local community development, aiming to become a destination for all.
