How to make the most of a 3-day trip to the 2025 Expo: Kyoto & Awaji

From far and wide, curious minds from all over the planet are heading to the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo. Sound like you? If you come all the way to the increasingly famous Osaka-Kansai area, make the most of it by exploring some of the region’s amazing highlights before or after your Expo expedition.

Here, we recommend a great route that combines the natural splendor of Awaji Island with a stopover in Japan’s sightseeing mecca Kyoto after enjoying the Expo. Although Awaji is an “island,” it has an area about the size of Tokyo’s 23 wards, connected to the mainland by the world’s 2nd longest suspension bridge. During the Expo period, a ferry departs right by the Expo site of Yumeshima direct to Awaji Island, taking about 60 minutes.

After a relaxing night at this island getaway far from the crowds, catch an express bus to JR Maiko Koen Station. From there, Kyoto is easily reached. Renting a car and driving to Awaji Island is also recommended. This legendary island is full of attractions from spectacular ocean views to hot springs, not to mention the widely acclaimed fresh vegetables and exquisite seafood. Even seasoned travelers will be filled with a sense of liberation on this trip.

Day 1: Getting to the Expo Site on Yumeshima

Recommended route to Kyoto and Kansai from Tokyo.

From Tokyo (either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station) head to Shin-Osaka Station. From there, transfer to the Chuo Line direct to the Expo site at Yumeshima Station. You will arrive at the East Gate. Direct shuttle buses are also available from Shin-Osaka to the Expo site (reservations required). For details, please visit the official Expo website below.

17:30 Board a ferry from Yumeshima to Awaji Island

Boats bound for Awaji Island depart daily from Yumeshima. The 1-hour ferry ride is the fastest route to Awaji Island and also avoids the crowds. Ferries arrive at Tsubasa Port in the northern part of Awaji Island.

Around 19:00 Enjoy dinner & overnight stay at an auberge or luxury glamping

Awaji Island has a long illustrious history as a playground for Japan’s aristocracy, so it’s no surprise that top class luxury accomodations are also here. The two featured below both offer unique gourmet cuisine only found on Awaji Island, made with locally sourced ingredients.

・ GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135°

Treat yourself to a luxurious stay on Awaji Island at GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135°. Attached to the anime theme park, Nijigen-no-mori, GRAND CHARIOT is a luxury glamping facility selected by Rakuten Travel as one of the finest places to stay once in the region. Sure to be an unforgettable night. Enjoy one-pot meals, shabu-shabu, barbecue, and sukiyaki for dinner. You can stay in a room with a beautiful view of the starry sky and popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Godzilla, Dragon Quest, and Crayon Shinchan.

・Auberge French Forest
At each of the 3 chalets of Auberge, the culinary arts of Japan, Italy and the Basque region mix with a foundation of French cooking, united by the island’s peerless ingredients, from onions to citrus. The upper floors of the chalet offers luxurious rooms with hinoki baths, so diners can feel free to enjoy the exceptional wine cellar to their heart’s content. Perched at along the mountain spine of the island, the garden offers spellbinding views in any season.

Auberge French Forest

A special stay at the media darling “Zen Bo Seinei”

If you have come all the way to Awaji Island and want a special lodging experience, this is the place for you. It is located a 15-minute drive from Tsubasa Port. You can experience digital detox and well-being programs while experiencing the breathtaking architectural beauty desinged by Shigeru Ban. The original cuisine here, named Zen Bo cuisine, is prepared without oil, dairy products, flour, or animal products, using fermented seasonings to boost health. For details, please see this article.
A stay here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Around 10am: Visit Japan’s oldest shrine on Awaji Island, “the island of beginnings”

Izanagi Jingu Shrine

Considered to be the oldest shrine in Japan, Izanagi Jingu Shrine is one of the greatest power spots on Awaji Island. It enshrines two deities, Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, who appear in the Japanese mythology of the “Birth of Japan”. The shrine’s creation is mentioned in Japan’s oldest books, Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan).

Noon: enjoy Awaji beef and island seafood delicacies

Enjoy Awaji Island’s local delicacies for lunch. Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Awaji Island is popular for its seafood, and sushi and tempura are popular. Steaks of the highest quality Japanese black beef raised in stress-free environments are a local delicacy, known as Awaji beef. Along the west coast in the northern part of the city, is a Japanese restaurant and a Steakhouse.

・Aonoya Japanese Restaurant
・Ocean Terrace, Steakhouse
In the seaside complex Seikaiha, the Japanese restaurant “Aonoya” serves sushi and tempura using fresh seafood. Tiered seating ensures that every diner has an unbroken view of the Seto Inland Sea. Nearby, the steakhouse “Ocean Terrace” serves Awaji beef, famous as one of the world’s highest class of “Wagyu” meat, along with a variety of other dishes. With only 250 heads of cattle raised as Awaji Beef each year, this is a rare delicacy only found on Awaji Island.

Aonoya

Ocean Terrace

Around 13:30 Shopping & cafe at Marche on the west coast of Awaji Island

After lunch, head to the Marché for Awaji Island souvenirs. Check out Awaji Island specialties such as Awaji Island onion soup, fresh onions, and other local goods. Nojima Scuola is a complex built in a renovated building that was once an elementary school, with a bakery on the first floor, a marché, a café, restaurants, and a small zoo. Elsewhere, the Craft Marche in Craft Circus also features fresh onions and Awaji Island specialties. At this seaside complex you can also enjoy seafood barbecues, a café menu, and a terrace to spend time with your dog.

Awaji Craft Circus

Nojima Marche　＠Nojima Scoula

Around 3pm : Depart for Kyoto via Sannomiya (expressway bus)

From Awaji Island to Kobe Sannomiya Station takes about 40 minutes by highway bus. After a scenic journey crossing the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge, it takes about 50 minutes from JR Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station.

Highway bus details are here>>

Around 6pm: Dine at famous places around Kyoto Station

The Gion areare is packed with famous restaurants. Enjoy a dinner unique to Kyoto.
The streets of Gion-Shijo are lined with countless elegant eateries. Please make a reservation at your favorite restaurant and enjoy a Kyoto-style dinner.

Around 9pm: Stay in Kyoto Gion area

Take your pick of the many hotels in the Gion area, including those near Kyoto Station. Enjoy exploring the neighborhood at your leisure.

Around Noon: Taste Kyoto’s local delicacies after a day of sightseeing in Kyoto.

Kyoto has many places to visit such as Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Uji, and Fushimi, but here is a plan to enjoy Kyoto Station and the Gion area.

Higashi Honganji Temple
A 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station takes you to Higashi Honganji Temple. This shrine honors Shinran Shonin as the founder of the sect and has Amida Nyorai as its principal deity. There are six halls, a bell tower, and other structures on the temple grounds that have been designated as national important cultural properties, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the long history of the temple.

Kyoto Tower
Kyoto Tower offers a panoramic view of the city. Enjoy the birds eye view of the city.

Kiyomizu Temple
Enjoy lunch around Kiyomizu Temple. After lunch, go to Kiyomizu Temple and see the famous Kiyomizu-no Oomai-dai stage. In the main hall attached to the main stage is a statue of the eleven-faced thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said to save people from difficulties with his eleven facial expressions and forty-two hands. The Kiyomizu-dera Temple area is lined with souvenir shops, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Yasaka Koshindo
Yasaka Koshindo has recently drawn acclaim as a photo spot. The colorful “kukuri-monkeys” (hanging monkeys) seen near the temple gate have attracted a lot of attention from tourists. It is said that if you write down your wish on the kukuri monkey and hang it up, it will come true.

Yasaka Shrine
Visit Yasaka Shrine, a symbol of the Gion area. The shrine is popular among maiko (apprentice geisha) as it is said to bring them prosperity in addition to good fortune in business and beauty.

Gion Shopping Street
This is the main street of Gion. Located across Shijo Street, it is lined with a variety of stores selling everything from green tea sweets and general merchandise to famous museums.
Enjoy eating, drinking and shopping for souvenirs in this historic area.

Kyoto is a city with many places to see such as shrines and temples as well as cute local stores. Explore and find the side of the city that suits you best. Taxis are a convenient way to get around this small city.

Around 8pm: Shinkansen from Kyoto Station back home

Head home on the bullet. Finish your trip with a relaxing, comfortable ride on the Shinkansen.