The adorable Sanrio character “Hello Kitty” has now become a global icon loved by people of all ages. Awaji Island is the perfect place for Hello Kitty fans, “Kittyler” and anyone who wants to experience Hello Kitty’s dream world. There are Hello Kitty meet & greets, monuments, attractions, stage shows, food, sweets, goods, and more. Cute activities, dining, and shopping will make for a unique and unforgettable experience.
Awaji Island, about an hour from Osaka and Kobe, has three Hello Kitty attractions: “HELLO KITTY SMILE,” “HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX,” and “HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE.” You can also stay in a Hello Kitty room at a glamping hotel. This time, we will introduce Hello Kitty Day Trip Itinerary for ‘Kittyler’ on Awaji Island.
Table of Contents
- Day Trip Itinerary for Hello Kitty Fans
- 9:45a.m. Depart by bus from Kobe (Sannomiya) to Awaji Island
- 11:00a.m. Projection Mapping and Handmade Experience at HELLO KITTY SMILE
- 12:00p.m Lunch and Greeting at HELLO KITTY SMILE
- 1:00p.m. Shopping for Goods at HELLO KITTY SMILE
- 2:00p.m. Depart from HELLO KITTY SMILE to HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE by free shuttle bus
- 3:00p.m. Projection Mapping and Observation Deck View at HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE
- 3:30p.m. Cafe Show at HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX
- 5:15p.m. Dining at a Nearby Seaside Restaurant
- 6:26p.m. Return by Bus from Awaji Island to Kobe (Sannomiya)
- Closing
Day Trip Itinerary for Hello Kitty Fans
This itinerary will take you through a Hello Kitty day trip centered around the charming theme park “HELLO KITTY SMILE”. Here, you can meet Hello Kitty, eat delicious Hello Kitty-themed food, and enjoy various Hello Kitty attractions!
9:45a.m. Depart by bus from Kobe (Sannomiya) to Awaji Island
To reach Awaji Island, your starting point is Sannomiya, which is Kobe’s main transportation and shopping hub. Head to the Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal, where you’ll catch the Kita-Awaji Nishi-Kaigan Line (Shinki Bus) highway bus departing at 9:45 AM. For detailed access to the bus terminal, check the map above.
You’ll arrive at Nojima Oishi (Miele Mae) Bus Stop at approximately 10:44 AM. From the bus stop, a short 5-minute walk will lead you to your first destination: HELLO KITTY SMILE!
Since Sannomiya is a major train station, most train lines in the Kansai region will stop there! We recommend taking the Tokaido-Sanyo JR Line, taking about 20-30 minutes to get from Osaka Station to Sannomiya depending on the type of train you board. Make sure you plan accordingly for your journey to HELLO KITTY SMILE!
11:00a.m. Projection Mapping and Handmade Experience at HELLO KITTY SMILE
Welcome to HELLO KITTY SMILE! You can purchase tickets from the reception counter. Afterwards, as you step through the door, you’ll be welcomed by the breathtaking projection mapping views, transporting you to an enchanting underwater world at Hello Kitty Otohime Ryugu Castle!
Begin your adventure through 8 captivating zones, each with its own unique theme! From a mystical undersea realm, a secretive cave hideout, and even a royal palace, there’s plenty of opportunities for photography, interactive projection mapping, and dancing. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
On the first floor, you’ll find “Atelier Smile”, an area brimming with activities for kids and grown-ups. Here, you can partake in mascot scooping, pottery painting, and plenty more to keep everyone entertained. If these activities pique your interest, be sure to pay a visit to this space!
12:00p.m Lunch and Greeting at HELLO KITTY SMILE
Make your way up to the second floor where you’ll discover Tamatebako, a luxurious restaurant boasting panoramic views of Awaji Island’s breathtaking ocean scenery. Famed for its Hello Kitty themed one-pot dishes and an array of adorable Hello Kitty course menus, Tamatebako caters to every palate. With options ranging from kids’ menus to a variety of alcoholic beverages, there’s something to delight every guest.
Hello Kitty is always scheduled to make a special appearance at Tamatebako around 12:00 PM. This is the perfect chance for you to meet her in person and capture some memorable photos together!
1:00p.m. Shopping for Goods at HELLO KITTY SMILE
Before you depart, be sure to explore the shops offering many Hello Kitty-themed merchandise, some of which are exclusive to Awaji Island! On the first floor, you’ll find a store stocked with a diverse range of Sanrio character goods. From food souvenirs to stylish accessories, stationery, and cuddly plush toys, you’ll discover a treasure trove of Hello Kitty goods!
Go up to the second floor to visit Smile Boutique, a more upscale shop offering luxurious items such as Hello Kitty handbags, office supplies, handkerchiefs, and many more. Enjoy Hello Kitty goods shopping and bring home your favorite Hello Kitty treasures from HELLO KITTY SMILE!
| 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
2:00p.m. Depart from HELLO KITTY SMILE to HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE by free shuttle bus
Wanting to explore more Hello Kitty on Awaji Island? Great, because there’s still so much to see!
Enjoy convenient transportation between HELLO KITTY SMILE, HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, and
HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE with the free shuttle bus service available on the West Coast of Awaji Island! On weekdays, the bus departs at 2:22 PM, while on weekends, it leaves at 2:32 PM from HELLO KITTY SMILE. The journey takes just 4 minutes.
3:00p.m. Projection Mapping and Observation Deck View at HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE
HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE is a small yet charming destination where visitors can immerse themselves in a mesmerizing 360-degree projection mapping experience. From its observation deck, you can admire the iconic Hello Kitty roof design of the nearby HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX!
3:30p.m. Cafe Show at HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX
At HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, the café show experience is a beloved attraction, offering adorable
Hello Kitty-themed treats paired with captivating jazz performances. The show also changes depending on the season! With live music and dance, Hello Kitty herself takes the stage in a delightful show suitable for both children and adults. The café show runs from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
| 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
5:15p.m. Dining at a Nearby Seaside Restaurant
A quick stroll from HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX is CRAFT CIRCUS, a vibrant complex boasting restaurants and markets. Among them, CRAFT KITCHEN stands out for its incredible pizzas and side dishes. Pairing savory pizzas with the mesmerizing ocean views makes for a relaxing dining experience, especially when viewing Awaji’s famous sunsets.
6:26p.m. Return by Bus from Awaji Island to Kobe (Sannomiya)
A 10-minute walk from CRAFT CIRCUS is Nojima Ookawa (SEIKAIHA Mae) Bus stop. From there, you can catch the 6:26 PM bus on the Kita-Awaji Nishi-Kaigan Line (Shinki Bus) highway bus, which goes directly to Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal.
Closing
With Hello Kitty attractions like HELLO KITTY SMILE, Awaji Island’s allure is undeniable! While some may perceive traveling to Awaji Island without a car as daunting, following our day trip can make it simple! So, if you’re intrigued, we invite you to an adventure on Awaji Island where you can enter the delightful world of Hello Kitty!
© 2024 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L650084
| 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 |
