Awaji Island is full of amazing places for people of all interests and ages. From an anime park and a Hello Kitty restaurant to seaside cafes and markets, there’s something for everyone.
What you might not know is that you can visit all these locations with a free shuttle bus! We’ll guide you through the free shuttle bus service and recommend some must-visit spots on the island.
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Awaji Island Free Shuttle Bus Guide – A Convenient Solution
You might think it’s difficult to reach Awaji Island from Kobe or Osaka, or even navigate around once you’re there. The solution to all these questions is simple: the free shuttle bus. It travels around major transportation hubs on Awaji Island and stops at all the popular attractions!
The free shuttle buses might have different designs, but don’t worry—they all offer the same service. Look for a bus with one of the designs above and it’s the free shuttle bus. Just let the driver know your destination, and they’ll take you there!
Curious about bus stops and schedules? Check our page below for detailed information on all the stops and the bus schedule.
One of the key stops is Awaji Interchange (IC), a major transportation hub on Awaji Island. If you’re traveling from outside Awaji Island (like from Osaka or Kobe), make sure to head to Awaji IC. From there, the free shuttle buses will take you to your desired spots around the island.
*You might want to know the exact spot of the bus stop at Awaji IC.
Top Spots on Awaji Island Accessible by Free Shuttle Bus
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the information on the website about spots accessible by the free shuttle bus, don’t worry! To help you out, here are some of our writers’ favorite spots on Awaji Island.
1) Anime Park Nijigen no Mori
This is the most popular attraction on Awaji Island: the world’s largest anime park, Nijigen no Mori. If you have any interest in Naruto, Godzilla, Dragon Quest, Crayon Shin-chan, SPY x FAMILY, or Monster Hunter, then this is the place to be. At Nijigen no Mori, there are many incredible experiences, from becoming a real ninja like Naruto and stepping into the mouth of a life-sized Godzilla, to exploring the immersive RPG world and much more!
©岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ
| 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
2) HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX & HELLO KITTY SMILE
These two are Hello Kitty attractions on Awaji Island. At HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, you can enjoy a Hello Kitty-themed meal while watching delightful jazz performances by Hello Kitty herself with her team. On the other hand, HELLO KITTY SMILE is a charming theme park featuring immersive Hello Kitty projection mapping experiences. At both facilities, Hello Kitty herself will greet you and pose for a commemorative photo together!
If you have any interest in Hello Kitty or Sanrio, these attractions are a must-visit!
| Location | HELLO KITTY SMILE |
|---|---|
| Address | 985-1 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| Access | 10 minutes by car from Awaji IC or Hokudan IC on Awaji-Kobe-Naruto Expressway. |
| Parking | Free parking available |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays 11:00~19:00 Sat., Sun, & Public Holidays 10:00~19:00 Please note that each restaurant/café has different operating hours. |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Website | https://awaji-resort.com/hellokittysmile/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d15190676-Reviews-Hello_Kitty_Smile_Garden_Terrace-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Phone Number | 0799-70-9037 |
Click here for details of HELLO KITTY SMILE
3) Aman no Shokutaku
The most popular cuisine style at Aman no Shokutaku is called “Pirate Cuisine”. It might sound intriguing, but the name makes sense when you see the dishes—often served in a hearty, adventurous style reminiscent of the meals pirates might have enjoyed.
If you want to try something unique but luxurious at the same time, then Aman no Shokutaku is perfect for you!
Click here for reservations Utage Click here for reservations Sajiki
| Name | Aman no Shokutaku １F Utage ２F Sajiki |
|---|---|
| Address | 1042 Nojima-Tokiwa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1726 |
| Tel | "Utage” 0799-70-9089 “Sajiki” 0799-70-9090 |
| Operation Hours | “Utage”: Weekdays 11:00~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) / Sat., Sun. & Holidays 10:30~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) “Sajiki” 11:00~15:00 / 17:00~21:00 (L.O.19:30) Closed: Tuesdays |
| Website | https://amannoshokutaku.jp/ |
| Reservations: Utage | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-utage/reserve |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
Click here for details of Aman no Shokutaku
4) Awaji Chefs’ Garden by PASONA
Not sure what to eat but want to enjoy a trendy spot overlooking the beautiful ocean of Awaji Island and catch a sunset from the “Top 100 Sunsets in Japan”? Then you should visit this complex. It features many restaurants offering a range of cuisines, from Japanese, other Asians’ to Western. You can pick a main dish, dessert and drink, all from different restaurants and enjoy them at the terrace right at the water’s edge!
| Name | Awai Chef's Garden by PASONA |
|---|---|
| Address | 57-3, Nojima Okawa, Awaji Shi, Hyogo Ken, 656-1723 |
| Parking | Approx. 140 units (Chef Garden Parking Space & SEIKAIHA Parking Space) 500 yen/day |
| Phone Number | 080-8177-4501 |
| Website | https://www.awaji-chefgarden.com/ |
| Business Hours | 11:00～21:00 (last order 20:00) *Subject to change depending on the season and weather. |
Click here for details of Awaji Chef's Garden
A Sample One Day Tour on Awaji Island with the Free Shuttle Bus
You can easily reach all the top spots on Awaji Island using the free shuttle bus. Here’s a suggested schedule for visiting these four must-see locations. Let’s say I am interested in Hello Kitty. I also love Naruto, and want to wrap up my day with dinner at Aman no Shokutaku, where I can try to savor the unique pirate cuisine.
I prefer to travel early but not too early, so I’ll catch an express bus from Kobe Sannomiya and arrive at Awaji IC around 10 AM. I’ll then take the free shuttle bus at 10:24 AM and reach HELLO KITTY SMILE in about 15 minutes.
I’ll spend roughly an hour there before leaving at 12:22 PM to head to Nijigen no Mori F parking space, which takes another 15 minutes. I’ll enjoy the Naruto attractions for about 3-4 hours and ramen at Ichiraku Ramen located in the Naruto attraction area. Around 4:47 PM, I’ll catch the free shuttle bus to Aman no Shokutaku, arriving in just 3 minutes for a delicious early dinner. Afterward, I’ll take the free shuttle bus back to Awaji IC and return to Kobe Sannomiya.
Simple, right? Just like this, you can easily plan your visit, check the shuttle bus schedule, and explore all the amazing places Awaji Island has to offer, from anime parks and Hello Kitty restaurants to seaside cafes. We look forward to welcoming you to Awaji Island!
