Awaji Island is becoming increasingly popular in Kansai due to its seaside and theme park facilities. In this article, we’ll guide travellers from Osaka to Awaji Island. There are multiple convenient ways to reach Awaji Island from Osaka, depending on your starting point.
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Most Common & Convenient: Train & Bus
The most common and convenient way to travel from Osaka to Awaji Island is by train and bus. Japan has one of the best train systems in the world, and trains are accessible from anywhere in Osaka, making them very convenient. Once you reach Sannomiya (Kobe) by train, you can easily catch a bus to Awaji Island.
From Namba Area to Awaji
From the bustling city of Namba, a popular tourist destination with its vibrant restaurant and shopping district, Dotonbori, traveling to Awaji Island via train and bus is relatively straightforward. The easiest route is to take the Hanshin Namba Line from Osaka-Namba Station (platform 3) to Kobe-Sannomiya Station. It costs 390 yen.
Upon arrival at Sannomiya Station, you can catch a bus from either the Sannomiya Bus Terminal (Mint Kobe) or the Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal to reach Awaji Island. We’ll provide detailed guidance on accessing the bus below.
From Umeda Area to Awaji
Umeda, renowned for its shopping centers and restaurants, offers convenient access to Awaji Island. You can easily travel from Umeda to Awaji Island by taking the JR Rapid Tokaido Sanyo Line directly from JR Osaka Station to JR Sannomiya Station. It costs 420 yen.
Alternatively, if you’re nearer to Osaka-Umeda Station, you can utilize the Hanshin Line to reach Kobe-Sannomiya Station directly. Then, catch the bus to Awaji Island from the Sannomiya Area.
From Kansai Airport to Awaji
Arriving at Kansai Airport? No problem! Getting from Osaka (Kansai Airport) to Awaji Island is also very straightforward. Simply take the Kansai Airport limousine bus bound for Kobe-Sannomiya Station. This ride typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs 2200 yen. Once at Sannomiya Station, catch another bus going to Awaji Island.
From Sannomiya to Awaji Island
Making the journey from Osaka to Awaji Island is straightforward, but confusion can arise upon reaching Sannomiya. To simplify matters, let’s clarify: there are two bus terminals in the Sannomiya area, namely Sannomiya Bus Terminal (Mint Kobe) and Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal.
Both offer routes to Awaji Island, but depending on the schedule, you may prefer to use one bus stop over the other. Refer to the graphic below to determine which bus stop to utilize. This way, your journey will be smooth and hassle-free.
As depicted in the graphic, certain buses offer direct routes to all the facilities on Awaji Island (Highway Bus Awaji Nishi-Kaigan). However, these services are only available in the morning and evening. At other times, you’ll need to stop at Awaji IC, from where you can catch the free shuttle bus and access various facilities on Awaji Island.
We’ve gathered comprehensive information about accessing Awaji Island from Sannomiya, available for your reference on this page.
Access to Awaji Island from Osaka is much simpler people think. Hopefully, this article will help your understanding.
If you’re not familiar with using public transportation in Japan, we’ve got you covered with a detailed article about transportation options throughout the country.
