Is the hustle and bustle of big city life getting you down? Why not escape the urban chaos into the tranquility of nature this winter? Though easily accessible, Awaji Island seems a world away from the honks, beeps and clamor of the metropolis. Discover the island’s charm on a delightful 2-day trip from Tokyo to Awaji Island.
Table of Contents
- Early Morning – Shinkansen/Plane
- 12:00 PM: Explore the Anime Park Nijigen no Mori
- 6:00 PM: A Perfect Place to Stay in Winter: Grand Chariot
- 7:00 AM/11:00 AM: Fresh Start at Zenbo Seinei (Sunrise Plan/Zen Wellness Plan)
- Lunch or Dinner: Awaji Island’s Cuisine at Aonoya
- Easy Access for Your Winter Trip to Awaji from Tokyo
- End of Your 2-Day Trip from Tokyo in Winter
Early Morning – Shinkansen/Plane
The Shinkansen and plane are the top choices for a day trip from Tokyo to Awaji Island, with comparable total travel times. Try to arrive before noon to ensure enough time to explore our first destination, Nijigen no Mori. For helpful hints, check out our previously published article about this amazing park.
12:00 PM: Explore the Anime Park Nijigen no Mori
For anime aficionados or anyone seeking a unique thrill, head to Nijigen no Mori. Enjoy Japanese pop culture through iconic attractions like Naruto Park, Crayon Shinchan Adventure, Dragon Quest, Godzilla, and Demon Slayer Night Walk. Gain a fresh perspective on this subculture on a day brimming with excitement within the enchanting realm of these two-dimensional wonders!
Winter adds an extra layer of charm during your trip with limited-time events such as “The Lantern Illumination of Hidden Leaf Village” and “Godzilla Candle”, where you can craft your own original “Godzilla Candle” from a selection of 12 beastly designs.
| Park Name | NIJIGEN NO MORI |
|---|---|
| Address | 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| TEL | 0799-64-7061 |
| Website | https://nijigennomori.com/ |
| Reservations | https://ticket.nijigennomori.com/en/ |
| Operation Hours | Everyday10:00-22:00 *Each attraction has a different last reception time and closing time. |
Click here for details of NIJIGEN NO MORI
6:00 PM: A Perfect Place to Stay in Winter: Grand Chariot
This intimate, secluded retreat, offers the warmth of luxurious glamping amidst the serene beauty of nature. Take in breathtaking views of Awaji Island while dining on delectable cuisine available only on the island. For all this and much more, Grand Chariot is a must.
Perched atop the Anime Theme Park Nijigen no Mori on Awaji Island, the location offers sweeping views of the Akashi Kaikyo Straits, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Kobe City. Award-winning Chef Hal Yamashita creates delicious dishes using the best local ingredients from Awaji, once known as “Food Country“. The luxurious rooms come with 5-meter-high skylights and relaxing cypress baths. Click here to read more about Grand Chariot, selected as a “Top Quality Inn” by Rakuten Travel.
7:00 AM/11:00 AM: Fresh Start at Zenbo Seinei (Sunrise Plan/Zen Wellness Plan)
Zenbo Seinei, designed by world-famous architect Shigeru Ban, is a tranquil wellness retreat to immerse yourself in Zen activities from yoga to calligraphy. The use of Japanese Cedarwood (hinoki) reflects the simplicity and elegance found throughout the inspiring structure. The highlight is the 100-meter-long deck with its breathtaking 360° panoramic view.
Choose between two plans for your visit. The Zen Wellness and Sunrise Plan is ideal for early risers, available only on the 5th and 6th of January. Alternatively, the usual Zen Wellness Plan starts at 11 AM, so you can relax at Grand Chariot before it starts. Start the day and the year with wisdom and health from meditation, Zen calligraphy, and a Zen tea ceremony.
Check plan availability here.
| Name | Zenbo Seinei |
|---|---|
| Address | 2594-5 Aza-Banaka, Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9087 |
| Website | https://www.zenbo-seinei.com/en/ |
| Program Reservations | https://zenbo-seinei.urkt.in/direct/offices/587/courses |
| Hotel Reservation | https://rsv.temanasi.jp/29/room/search |
| Operation Hours | Mon: 9:00 am～5:00 pm / Tues～Sun: 11:00 am～6:30 pm Closed: Varies depending on a month. Please inquire. |
Click here for details of ZEN Wellness SEINEI
Lunch or Dinner: Awaji Island’s Cuisine at Aonoya
After awakening your inner self at Zenbo Seinei, nourish your body at Aonoya, a top-notch restaurant on Awaji Island known for its luxurious, delectable seafood. In winter, Aonoya is particularly renowned for its three-year-old Awaji Pufferfish (torafugu). Raised slowly in the Naruto Strait, this variety of pufferfish boasts firmer flesh and richer flavors. Enjoy such unique seasonal delicacies while taking in the ocean view.
Whether for lunch or dinner, Aonoya is a captivating setting. Lunchtime is popular for the view of the Seto Sea traversed by many ships of all sizes and shapes, while dinner offers the stunning sunset for which Awaji Island is famous. Once night falls, the tall windows transform into a platform for a captivating projection-mapping show of fireworks and animated imagery against the backdrop of the nighttime seascape.
Near Aonoya, catch the North Awaji West Coast Line at the Nojima Ogawa Seikaiha Mae stop for direct transport straight to Sannomiya station.
| Name | SEIKAIHA - Aonoya |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9020 |
| Website | https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d21197787-Reviews-Seikaiha_Aonoya-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Operating Hours | 11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays |
Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Aonoya
Easy Access for Your Winter Trip to Awaji from Tokyo
In addition to city buses, there is now also a free resort shuttle bus. These buses, designed as shown above, provide hassle-free transportation between various facilities at no cost. Enjoy seamless travel from one facility to another!
End of Your 2-Day Trip from Tokyo in Winter
Easy to access, yet away from the crowds, the unique luxury of Awaji Island is a great choice for a 2-day winter retreat from Tokyo to care for your mind, nourish your body, and inspire your imagination.
