The Osaka-Kansai Expo, a world-class event, is about to open. People from all over Japan and the world will visit Osaka to see the Expo site! With the inbound boom, rates of hotels in the Osaka area are already high and reservations are getting filled up.
Table of Contents
- An Easy Access to the Osaka Expo, just an Hour from Awaji Island by Ferry
- Stay on Awaji Island for a Comfortable Expo Trip! Hotels Where You Can Enjoy Nature and Gourmet Food
- Anime Theme Park Right in Magnificent Nature
- Experience Awaji Island’s Gourmet Food, Art, and Shows! Dive into the World of HELLO KITTY!
- Awaji Island & Kansai Sightseeing & Gourmet Travel Model Course Along with the Osaka Expo
An Easy Access to the Osaka Expo, just an Hour from Awaji Island by Ferry
Awaji Island is approximately 1 hour from Yumeshima, the venue of the Expo, by direct ferry access. It is recommended that visitors enjoy the Expo while staying on Awaji Island in a relaxed atmosphere, and enjoy sightseeing in the surrounding area surrounded by nature. Awaji Island, known as the birthplace of Japan, is also a provider of produce, seafood and meat for the Kansai region. In conjunction with the Osaka-Kansai Expo, here are some sightseeing spots and tours to enjoy Awaji Island to the fullest.
For a access from the Expo site to Awaji Island, please check below:
Stay on Awaji Island for a Comfortable Expo Trip! Hotels Where You Can Enjoy Nature and Gourmet Food
Here are some attractive accommodations where you can enjoy the Expo and sightseeing with comfortable access to avoid the crowds. They are special hotels where you can enjoy the gourmet cuisine of Awaji Island, a treasure trove of food, and refresh your mind and body in the great outdoors.
Luxury Hotel on a “Starry Hill” in the midst of Nature
It is a luxury hotel located on a hilltop adjacent to Nijigen no Mori at Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park. The hotel offers a spectacular view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the city of Kobe. Cocoon-shaped guest rooms with the warmth of wood and special rooms collaborated with popular anime characters are also available. Meals are supervised by world-renowned chef Haruyuki Yamashita, and you can savor exquisite cuisine in the great outdoors.
| Name | GRAND CHARIOT |
|---|---|
| Adress | 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 Located at Nijigen no Mori in Hyogo Prefecture Awajishima Park |
| Tel | 0799-64-7090 |
| Website | https://awaji-grandchariot.com/ |
| Reservations | https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/guransiyariobei-dou-qi-xing-135deg.ja.html |
Click here for details of GRAND CHARIOT
Auberge Offering Exquisite French Cuisine
Auberge “French Forest” is a French-type inn nestled in the hills of Awaji Island. Awaji Island, once called “Miketsukuni” (the land of food), where foodstuffs were offered to the Imperial Court, is home to an endless variety of ingredients. French Forest offers three styles of French gastronomies. The three buildings, each with a different style of French cuisine, present French cuisine fused with three different cuisines that draws out the charm of the season’s ingredients. Please relish the supreme cuisine and a relaxing time of healing.
| Name | Auberge “French Forest” |
|---|---|
| Address | 2593-8 Kusumoto Aza Banaka, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| TEL | La Rose 0799-70-6062 Prince Etoile 0799-70-6061 Grand Baobab 0799-70-6063 |
| Website | https://frenchnomori.jp/ |
| Reservations | https://frenchnomori.jp/reservation/ |
| Hotel Reservation | https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/aubergehurentinosen.ja.html |
| Operation Hours | Lunch – 11:30~15:30 (Last Entry: 13:00) Dinner – 17:30~21:30 (Last Entry: 19:00) |
| Menu | A Full-Course Lunch ￥7,000～/ A Full-Course Dinner ￥10,000～ |
Click here for details of Auberge “French Forest”
A Zen Retreat for a Body and Mind
Located on Awaji Island at 135 degrees East Longitude, Zenbo Seinei is an accommodation facility that offers a Zen experience and healthy meals to balance the body and mind. The facility is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban and its highlight, the 100-meter-long wooden deck made of Japanese cedar, offers a retreat experience with the warmth of wood. The Zen cuisine offered is a healthy menu that is free of oil, dairy products, flour, and animal products.
| 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://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/shan-fang-jing-zhu-dan-lu-shi2.html |
| 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
Anime Theme Park Right in Magnificent Nature
Japanese anime, manga, and video games have become a world-class field attracting many fans in the world. Nijigen no Mori is a purely Japanese anime park where visitors can experience the world of ‘two-dimensional content’ while using all five senses and moving their bodies.
“Godzilla Intercept Operation” is the world’s only entertainment attraction themed around the world’s largest life-sized Godzilla that has landed on Awaji Island, allowing visitors to fully experience the might and power of Godzilla.
Athletic field courses in Crayon Shinchan Adventure Park is themed on Crayon Shinchan movie “Arashi wo yobu Appare! Sengoku Great Battle”. At this super-sized athletic facility, complete activities ranging from a course 1 meter above the ground to a course 8 meters above the ground.
This is a field RPG attraction that expresses the world of “Dragon Quest” through a fusion of real and digital worlds. Visitors can experience the world of “Dragon Quest” by becoming the main character of an original story.
NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-ZATO is an attraction area themed around the world of the popular ninja anime “NARUTO” and “BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS.”
| 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
Experience Awaji Island’s Gourmet Food, Art, and Shows! Dive into the World of HELLO KITTY!
“HELLO KITTY SMILE” is a media art & restaurant based on the theme of Hello Kitty in the Dragon’s Palace. Enjoy authentic Chinese and international hot pot dishes, as well as limited-edition stores and meet and greets by Hello Kitty herself! At HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, visitors can experience the world of Hello Kitty’s dreams through shows and galleries. Hello Kitty herself will be happy to take a photo together after the show. Don’t miss the 15-meter-high apple house adjacent to HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX as well!
At HELLO KITTY SMILE, Hello Kitty is dressed as a dragon princess at the Dragon’s Palace. A neon Hello Kitty welcomes you to a sea full of coral and fish! There are many “kawaii (cute)” contents such as an authentic Chinese restaurant, an international hot pot restaurant, a meet and greet with Hello Kitty, and stores with Hello Kitty limited items.
| 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.tablecheck.com/en/shops/hellokitty-smile2restaurant/reserve |
| Review | 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
At the theater-restaurant “HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX”, you can experience the dream world of Hello Kitty with a media art gallery and a show featuring songs, dances and performances by Hello Kitty herself and her band/dancers.
One of the world’s largest, the 15-meter high HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE is filled with lots of “kawaii” things and you will have many nice surprises!
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| Location | HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX |
|---|---|
| Address | 177-5 Nojimahirabayashi, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1724 |
| Access | 10 minutes by car from Awaji IC and 15 minutes from Hokudan Interchange on Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. |
| Phone Number | 0799-70-9022 |
| Parking | Free parking available |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Operating Hours | 11:00-17:00 |
| Show Time | 12:10-13:30(Open at 11:00, Last In at 12:00) |
| Café and Greetings by HELLO KITTY | 14:00-17:00 Greeting at 14:30-/16:00- Café Show and Greetings by HELLO KITTY: 14:30~ / 16:00~ |
| Website | https://awajiresort.com/hellokittyshowbox/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022838-d17793182-Reviews-Hello_Kitty_Show_Box-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Review | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/hellokittyshowbox/reserve |
Click here for details of HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX
| Location | HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE |
|---|---|
| Address | 177-5 Nojimahirabayashi, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1724 |
| Access | Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway: 10 minutes by car from Awaji Interchange and 15 minutes from Hokudan Interchange. |
| Phone Number | 0799-70-9022 |
| Parking | Free parking available |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Business hours | LUNCH TIME 11:00-13:30 CAFE TIME 14:00-17:00 |
| Website | https://awaji-resort.com/hellokittyshowbox/applehouse/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/hellokittyshowbox/reserve |
| Review | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022838-d17793182-Reviews-Hello_Kitty_Show_Box-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
Click here for details of HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE
Awaji Island & Kansai Sightseeing & Gourmet Travel Model Course Along with the Osaka Expo
After the Kansai Expo, have a good time sightseeing and try gourmet food on Awaji Island and in the Kansai region! Here is a recommended model course where you can appreciate visiting spectacular scenic spots, local gourmet foods and talked-about facilities. Please check a 2-day/3-night model travel plan below.
