Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, connecting Honshu and Shikoku in Japan. In Japanese mythology, Awaji Island was created by Izanagi and Izanami, the creators of Japan. Many places on the island are related to the myth of Japan’s founding. In recent years, Awaji Island has begun to become anime-oriented. The Nijigen no Mori and Awaji Hello Kitty Apple Land have attracted countless young people to travel, making it a popular tourist area in Kansai.
Awaji Island is also rich in delicious food. In addition to fresh fish and seafood from the nearby sea, there are Kitasaka eggs, Awaji onion soup, and the famous Awaji beef. The Awaji Island onion beef burger won first place in the local burger award in Japan (The second place is the Awaji Island Onion Gratin Burger). We have selected several attractions in Awaji Island to help travelers plan their trip to Japan.
What you need to travel to Awaji Island
First time traveling to Japan? Here is a complete travel guide!
Hotels in Osaka
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Transportation to Awaji Island
Train & Bus
Shin-Osaka Station (JR New Rapid about 30 minutes) → Sannomiya Station (about 4 minutes by walk) → Sannomiya Bus Terminal (about 37 minutes) → Awaji IC
Osaka Station JR Express Bus Terminal (about 2 hours and 26 minutes) → Sumoto Bus Center
Train & Cruise
Shin-Osaka Station (JR New Rapid about 46 minutes) → Akashi Station (about 10 minutes by walk) → Akashi Port (about 13 minutes) → Iwaya Port Terminal → Kita-Awaji Tour Bus (About 4 minutes) → Awaji IC
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Awaji Island is connected to Honshu and Shikoku by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Onaruto Bridge. It is in the Akashi Strait, with a total length of 3.9 km. Currently, it is the second-longest, behind the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey which was opened in March 2022. The main tower of the main bridge is 297 meters high, almost as tall as the 333 meters Tokyo Tower, which is very spectacular.
Awaji Service Area
Located under the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, it has an observation deck with a great view and many photo spots. You can use the selfie stand of the Honshi Expressway mascot “WATARU” to take wonderful photos with the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in the background. The service area not only has a Ferris wheel but is also a great place to enjoy the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe’s cityscape, the Akashi Strait, and an overview of Osaka Bay.
Onaruto Bridge & Naruto Whirlpool
The Onaruto Bridge connects Awaji Island and Tokushima Prefecture. It features the scenery of the Naruto Strait under the bridge, and you can enjoy the Naruto Whirlpool, one of the three largest whirlpools in the world.
There are turbulent currents and gentle currents between the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea. Due to the complex seabed topography, a vortex is formed at the junction of the two currents. The maximum diameter of the Whirlpool can reach 30m and the speed can reach 20 km/hour. The Naruto Whirlpool is most spectacular during the high tides in spring and autumn.
Uzu-no-Michi Walkway
Uzu-no-Michi Walkway is a 450-meter seaside walkway located under the Onaruto Bridge. You can stand 45 meters above the sea and overlook the Naruto Whirlpool through the glass floor.
Michi-no-Eki Uzushio
Michi-no-Eki Uzushio is also gaining popularity as a tourist spot representing Awaji Island. This is the rest area closest to the Naruto Whirlpool. You can use a telescope to view the famous Naruto Whirlpool here. A famous Japanese burger shop, Awaji Shima Onion Kitchen, is also here. The signature dishes are Awaji Island Onion Beef Burger and Awaji Island Onion Gratin Burger. They also offer many varieties of burgers, all made with delicious ingredients from Awaji Island. Enjoy the luxurious local burgers unique to Awaji Island while appreciating the Onaruto Bridge.
Nijigen no Mori
The anime theme park Nijigen no Mori is in Awajishima Prefectural Park. Here is equipped with the latest technology and provides a variety of entertainment projects full of Japanese characteristics. The amusement facilities give visitors the illusion of being there, and there are fantasy shows after dark, so you can have fun whether it is day or night! Here are some of the most popular theme parks in Nijigen no Mori.
NARUTO＆BORUTO Ninzato
An amusement park based on the popular ninja anime Naruto and its sequel Boruto. A three-dimensional maze where you can experience training using scrolls. Take on the mission rally, solve puzzles, and run through the world of Oshiri!
The 11-meter-high giant Hokage Rock has a huge light projection at night. By launching the free dedicated smartphone app “Aim for the Hokage!” at AR spots scattered throughout the area, you can take photos and videos as if you were performing ninjutsu. If you master 5 ninjutsu, you can also see your face appear on the Hokage Rock! The facilities of the “Ichiraku” ramen shop that Naruto often visited were also restored in the park!
Crayon Shinchan Adventure Park
Based on the popular anime Crayon Shinchan, this is an amusement facility area that both adults and children can enjoy. Appare! Sengoku Daibouken! is a large-scale outdoor fitness facility built based on the animated film concept. It is divided into 4 routes according to difficulty, from children to adults.
In “Become an Action Mask Sea Flight!”, you need to wear a helmet to challenge the zipline, avoid the attack of water guns, and slide down from the air thrillingly. In the area that recreates Futaba Kindergarten, you can find Crayon Shinchan and his friends in a cardboard maze and complete the task. There are photo spots in kindergarten where you can take photos with popular characters.
Godzilla Interception Operation
In the movie Godzilla-themed area, a giant Godzilla is waiting for you. You will become a member of the National Godzilla Awajishima Research Center and complete various tasks. Fight against Godzilla, enter Godzilla’s mouth, or ride a zipline past Godzilla, stop the proliferation of Godzilla cells in shooting attractions, and various puzzle games.
There is also a museum where you can study the history of Godzilla, as well as a special photography studio where you can experience a shocking sense of presence. Even if you haven’t seen the movies, the various rides here are enough to make you addicted.
Limited time Area
Nijigen no Mori will hold limited-time collaborations with popular anime and games such as Demon Slayer, Bleach, Monster Hunter, etc. For more information, please visit the official website.
Official Website: https://nijigennomori.com/en/
The entrance fee is free. Some areas require tickets. You can purchase a ticket for each attraction separately.
Address: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji, Hyogo 656-2301
How to get there: From Awaji IC, take the free shuttle bus Kita-Awaji Tour Bus for about 3 minutes.
Awaji Hello Kitty Apple Land
The newly opened Hello Kitty Apple House in 2022 is in Awaji Hello Kitty Apple Land, a theme facility of Sanrio character Hello Kitty. This is the world’s largest apple-shaped viewing theater, designed based on the concept of Hello Kitty’s apple house. It has a diameter of 14 meters and a height of 15 meters. You can feel its shock just by getting close to it.
Hello Kitty Smile is a new media art exhibition space and restaurant built along the coastline of Awaji Island. The facility consists of Otohime Dragon Palace and several restaurants, and the eye-catching and huge Hello Kitty head is the landmark of the facility. Here you can not only enjoy a variety of delicious foods but also encounter Hello Kitty at “Otohime Dragon Palace” and explore the mysterious underwater world!
Address: 985-1 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo
How to get there: From Awaji IC, take the free shuttle bus Kita-Awaji Tour Bus for about 12 minutes.
Onokorojima Shrine
Onokorojima means nature solidified into an island, and it is also the birthplace of Japanese mythology, Izanagi and Izanami created Japan here. According to the Kojiki and Nihonshoki, when the two gods created Japan, they thrust their spears into the sea and stirred it. The dripping salt water solidified and formed Onokorojima, which later created many islands such as Shikoku and Honshu.
This shrine is said to bless marriage and safe childbirth. The shrine’s iconic building is the 21.7-meter-high vermilion lacquered torii. In addition, you can also visit the shrine’s main hall, the god of safe childbirth, and places for matchmaking within the precinct.
Address: 415 Enamishimohada, Minamiawaji, Hyogo
How to get there: From Awaji IC, take the bus for about 45 minutes. Get off at the “榎列 / えなみ” (Pronounce as Enami) stop and walk for about 10 minutes.
If necessary for taxi driver: おのころ島神社
Awaji Hanasajiki Hyogo Prefectural Park
This is a flower park next to the coast, located at the top of the hilly area in the north of Awaji Island. From the wooden observatory, you can see the endless flower fields and the panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea.
Awaji Hanasajiki Hyogo Prefectural Park has flowers blooming all year round, mainly tulips in spring, and rapeseed flowers in early March. The poppies from April to May are addictive. In summer from July to August there are sunflowers and lavender. In autumn, the area is covered with up to 1 million cosmos flowers, and in winter, violets bloom. Each season has its characteristics, stroll through the gardens and enjoy the unforgettable scenery.
Address: 2805-7 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo
How to get there: By taxi from Higashiura Bus Terminal, about 10 minutes.
If necessary for taxi driver: あわじ花さじき
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