Awaji Island (淡路島, Awajishima) is an island located in Hyogo, Japan, and it plays host to a wide array of activities for not just the average tourist, but also for anime fans. From a Hello Kitty resort to a Naruto theme park, Awaji Island seems to have it all.
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Image credit: @awajikando_musicisland_radio
The moment you step foot onto Awaji Island, you will be greeted by a long, white building with a giant Hello Kitty head nestled in its centre. That’s Hello Kitty Smile, a Hello Kitty-themed resort and attraction that can be found on Awaji Island.
Image credit: 【公式】HELLO KITTY SMILE（ハローキティスマイル）
One of the most unique attraction inside the building is the Otohime Ryugu Castle, an underwater-themed area that combines Hello Kitty with mermaids.
Image credit: @hellokittysmile.awaji
The exhibition has great photo spots where you can take mesmerising shots with giant Hello Kitty plushies, including 2 seated in a swanky convertible. And for die-hard fans, make sure to check out Hello Kitty’s room, where you can meet the legend herself.
Image credit:【公式】HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX
Awaji Island also has Hello Kitty Show Box, a theatre restaurant that puts on live performances while you dine, and it’s just 9 minutes away from Hello Kitty Smile by bus. Enjoy Hello Kitty-themed food as you watch the talented performers break out into song and dance on stage.
Hello Kitty Smile
Address: 985-1 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji, 656-1721 Hyogo
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm (Closed on Tuesdays) | Sat-Sun 10AM-7PM
Contact: 0799-70-9037 | Hello Kitty Smile website
Hello Kitty Show Box
Address: 177-5 Nojimahirabayashi, Awaji City, 656-1724 Hyogo
Opening hours: 11am-5am, Daily (Closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: 0799-70-9022 | Hello Kitty Show Box website
Image credit: @n_s_syasin
Awaji Hanasaki is a beautiful flower park known for its stunning flower fields with different types of blooms depending on the season.
Image credit: @asparagus_be
During spring, the park is filled with rapeseed flowers, and its vivid yellow hues that complement the azure blue skies of Awaji island will make for a picturesque photo. You will also see hints of purple among the sea of yellow as adorable clusters of violets – murasaki hanana (ムラサキハナナ) in Japanese – bloom in spring as well.
Image credit: @teleeeecamera
If you are visiting in summer, do look out for the gorgeous sunflower field, as well as pastel spider flowers that are known to attract butterflies.
Image credit: @kaka_rot0926
In autumn, you will spot a bright red field of salvia splendens, also known as scarlet sage. Dainty cosmos, which blooms in a variety of pastel colours, will also make an appearance.
Image credit: @minim.alize
Even in winter, the flower fields are still a sight to behold, with vibrant flowers in full bloom.
Do check out the observation deck at Awaji Hanasajiki, which allows you to appreciate the flower fields from a bird’s eye view.
Address: 2805-7 Kusumoto, Awaji, 656-2301 Hyogo
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 0799-74-6426 | Awaji Hanasajiki website
Image credit: のじまスコーラ
Animal lovers, prepare your hearts before you visit Awaji Island’s Nojima Zoo. The zoo features a variety of adorable animals such as alpacas, sheep, and guinea pigs.
Image credit: @nojimascuola_animal
When you arrive at Nojima Zoo, keep a look out for the goats as they’re often found chilling on the rooftops.
Image credit: @nojimascuola_animal
Image credit: @nojimascuola_animal
In order to enter the zoo, visitors will have to purchase animal food ranging from regular ol’ hay (¥200 per person, ~USD2.13) to a guinea pig hugging experience set that grants admission to 2 people (¥1,000, ~USD10.65). The guinea pig experience set includes vegetables, hay, pellets, and the opportunity to snuggle with fluffy guinea pigs.
Image credit: @nojimascuola_animal
There is, however, a limited amount of animal feed available each day depending on the animals’ conditions. After all, we wouldn’t want to overfeed these precious cuties.
Address: 843 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji, 656-1721 Hyogo
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-4pm (Closed on Wednesdays) | Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
Contact: 0799-82-1820 | Nojima Zoo website
Image credit: @kenchan.com38
Awaji Monkey Centre is home to countless wild Japanese macaques that the centre dubs “awaji zaru” ( 淡路ザル; Awaji monkeys). The reason for this name is because the macaques on Awaji Island behave differently from the Japanese macaques in other regions. Awaji zaru are very gentle, friendly, and maintain harmonious relationships amongst themselves.
Image credit: @seroriro_narise
The awaji saru typically descend the mountain to spend their day at the feeding centre before returning in the evening. But do note that their appearance in the centre also depends on the seasons – after all, they are wild macaques and have their own living patterns.
Image credit: @misamisa_osaru
From the end of August till November, the macaques tend to stay deep within the mountains and will not come to the centre. However, come December, the macaques will be back in time for mating season.
Image credit: 淡路島モンキーセンター
In January and February, due to the cold weather, visitors will get to see saru dango (サル団子; monkey dumplings), a phenomenon where the macaques huddle together for warmth like a fresh batch of dumplings.
Image credit: @misamisa_osaru
May is the start of the birth season, and visitors can expect to see adorable baby macaques start appearing.
Address: 289 Hatadagumi, Sumoto, 656-2533 Hyogo
Opening hours: 9.30am-5pm, Daily (Closed on Thursdays)
Admission: ¥1,000 (~USD7.79) for adults, ¥400 (~USD3.12) for children, free for children aged 3 years old and under
Contact: 0799-29-0112 | Awaji Monkey Centre website
Image credit: @sasakitatsuro
The Honpukuji Water Temple is a Shingon sect temple that was erected in the late Heian period and subsequently rebuilt by renowned Japanese architect Ando Tadao in 1991.
Image credit: @m_s_t.fuji
Image credit: @m_s_t.fuji
Instead of designing the Honpukuji Water Temple like a typical Shingon Buddhist temple, Ando incorporated completely modern elements of concrete, reinventing the entire look of the temple.
Image credit: @3kaz8ck
The beautiful lotus pond outside the temple has stairs that lead to the main hall hidden underneath.
Image credit: @minim.alize
The interior of the temple is not only a striking contrast to its monochromatic exterior, but is also labyrinth-like, thus making it seem as though one has truly transcended to another realm.
The temple hall features Bhaisajyaguru, a Buddha that is able to cure all ills, who is the temple’s main subject of worship.
Address: 1310 Ura, Awaji, 656-2305 Hyogo
Opening hours: 9am-pm, Daily
Admission: ¥400 (~USD3.12) for adults, ¥200 (~USD3.12) for children aged 15 years old and under
Contact: 0799-74-3624 | Honpukuji Water Temple website
Image credit: @key_of_love
Take a well-deserved break by visiting A Happy Pancake, a cafe restaurant that is famous for their deliciously fluffy pancakes. The Awajishima Terrace outlet is designed to resemble a resort, which makes for a perfect romantic evening as you watch the blazing sun disappear into the depths of the ocean.
Image credit: @hana__mfs
The cafe restaurant has various photo spots, with one notable example being the “Happy Chair”, a 3m-tall transparent chair.
Image credit: @spy_is
Also keep an eye out for a stairway to heaven – “Happy Stairs” – that leads to the liminal space between the sky and the sea.
Image credit: 幸せのパンケーキ 淡路島リゾート
Image credit: @realtabi_hensyubu
For couples, there is the “Happy Ring” and the “Happy Wedding Bell”, where you can take adorable couple pictures to your hearts’ content.
Image credit: @brilliant._.flower
As it’s a pancake specialty cafe restaurant, A Happy Pancake’s menu will have you spoiled for choice. If you are unsure of what to get, try their delicious Strawberry Shortcake Pancake (¥1,480, ~USD11.51), which is topped with fresh strawberries and drizzled with strawberry and white chocolate whipped cream.
Address: 1310 Ura, Awaji, 656-2305 Hyogo
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Admission: ¥400 (~USD3.12) for adults, ¥200 (~USD3.12) for children aged 15 years old and under
Contact: 0799-74-3624 | A Happy Pancake website
Nijigen no Mori is a collection of popular anime and video game theme parks dedicated to titles such as Naruto, Dragon Quest, and more.
Image credit: @crayonshinchan_adventurepark
The Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park immerses its visitors in the colourful and cheeky world of the popular anime series Crayon Shin-chan.
Image credit: @crayonshinchan_adventurepark
The theme park is filled with a plethora of fun-filled activities such as zip lining across a lake while the Black MekeMeke Group – an antagonistic group in the anime – shoots at you with their giant water gun.
Image credit: @crayonshinchan_adventurepark
Image credit: @crayonshinchan_adventurepark
For those who are looking for a physical challenge, there is the Appare! Sengoku Adventure attraction which features 4 different athletic courses. Visitors can choose to start from the easiest course before challenging themselves with the higher difficulty ones.
Address: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, 656-2301 Hyogo Prefecture
Opening hours: 10am-8am, Daily
Admission: ¥4,600 (~USD36.01) for adults, ¥2,800 (~USD21.92) for children under 12 years old
Contact: 0799-64-7061 | Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park website
Image credit: @sonyandmika
The Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji is the first ever Godzilla theme park in the world, and its most distinguishing feature is that it allows visitors to zipline straight into the beast’s mouth.
Image credit: @nijigennomori
There are 2 zipline courses available. The 162m-long course is the one that will send you right into Godzilla’s terrifying mae. You can also opt for the shorter 152m course, which will let you zip past Godzilla, if you want to catch a glimpse of the monster from a different angle.
Image credit: @xxpuddingchanxx
The theme park has a shooting range where you can try to take down Godzilla with your sharpshooting skills while dodging its attacks for a higher score. There is also a Godzilla museum that features the various kaijuu (monsters; 怪獣) from the different Godzilla films.
Image credit: @mt_nijigennomori
There’s even a Godzilla-themed cafe where visitors can fill their stomachs after an exciting day out. For those itching for a monstrous meal, try the Jet Black Monster King Godzilla Curry (¥1,680, ~USD13.15), which features Godzilla’s footprint stamped onto the white rice, as well as black curry that is topped with chilli oil to give it an extra kick.
Address: 1933 Kusumoto, Awaji, 656-2301 Hyogo
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Admission: ¥3,800 (~USD29.70) for adults, ¥2,200 (~USD17.20) for children under 12 years old
Contact: 0799-64-7061 | Godzilla Awaji website
Image credit: @gokidz10
The Naruto x Boruto Shinobi-zato theme park is sure to excite Naruto fans with its amazingly detailed 11m-tall recreation of the Hokage mountain that showcases the five hokage, aka the ninja village leaders. Behind this picturesque recreation lies 1 of the theme park’s main attractions – the Ten no Maki maze.
Image credit: @sukisukiskip
When visitors arrive at the theme park, they will receive 2 scrolls: the Heaven scroll (Ten no Maki) and the Earth scroll (Chi no Maki). Each of these scrolls present a different set of challenges that visitors can complete.
Image adapted from: @__nobuya_a_
The Ten no Maki scroll will lead you to the maze behind the Hokage mountain, which has 2 different courses. The Uzumaki course is more physically demanding, while the Uchiha course will require you to rack your brains and solve puzzles in order to escape.
Image credit: @koala_in_kansai
The Chi no Maki scroll will bring visitors to an area where they will have to solve 7 puzzles. Upon completion, you will receive a reward for your hard work.
Image credit: @bayantsagaan
Before you leave, be sure to try Naruto’s favourite Ichiraku ramen (¥1000, ~USD7.79), which comes in 3 different flavours – tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu.
Address: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, 656-2301 Hyogo Prefecture
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Admission: ¥3,300 (~USD28.60) for adults, ¥1,200 (~USD10.40) for children aged 12 years old and under
Contact: 0799-64-7061 | Naruto x Boruto Shinobi-zato website
Image credit: @morico_lab
Dragon Quest Island is a real-life recreation of the popular Japanese role-playing game Dragon Quest. This attraction allows visitors to explore the mediaeval world of Dragon Quest as the main protagonists and defeat monsters along the way.
Image credit: @harico_sweets
Visitors can journey as a party of 4, each with the freedom to choose a profession – warrior, martial artist, thief, or mage – and work together to fight off monsters. Though it’s possible to participate in the quest as a party of 1 to 3, parties of four have a higher chance of emerging victorious.
Image credit: @hapihoko
After your tiresome journey as the heroes of Dragon Quest, replenish your energy at Luida’s Bar, a restaurant that serves adorable Dragon Quest-themed food and drinks.
Image credit: @motty.0731
Ticket prices vary depending on the seasons, and there are separate ticket prices for each attraction area and subquest – the Kandata Bandit Enrollment Test. so do check the detailed prices here.
Address: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, 656-230 Hyogo Prefecture
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Admission: ¥3,400 (~USD26.45) for adults, ¥1,400 (~USD10.89) for children aged 11 years old and under
Contact: 0799-64-7061 | Dragon Quest Island website
Awaji Island is perfect for a fulfilling vacation in Japan as there are simply so many things to do and see. From anime theme parks to gorgeous flower fields, it could take days before you comb through the island’s attractions.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @spy_is, @gokidz10, @awajikando_musicisland_radio
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