Complete Guide to Awaji Island: How to Get There from Osaka, Kobe, and Tokyo

• Table of Contents
• Getting there is easy! Access to Awaji Island
• 1. From Sannomiya (Kobe) (travel time: about 30 minutes)
• From Osaka (Travel time: about 1 hour from JR Osaka Station)
• From Kobe Airport (Travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes)
• From Tokyo (travel time: 3 hours 45 minutes)
• Summary Access to Awaji Island
• Awaji Island: Breathtaking Nature, Delicious Food, and Fun Activities

Getting there is easy! Access to Awaji Island

Awaji Island is a popular tourist destination located within 30 minutes from Kobe and 60 minutes from Osaka. Although it may seem complicated to get to because it is an island, it is actually very easy to get to. Most routes go through Sannomiya, from where you can take an express bus to Awaji Island. If you are considering a trip to Awaji Island, please refer to this guide.

1. From Sannomiya (Kobe) (travel time: about 30 minutes)

When traveling to Awaji Island from major cities, you will often pass through Sannomiya, so let's first master how to get from Sannomiya to Awaji Island!

To get from Sannomiya to Awajishima, you have the option of car, taxi, or bus. If you are travelling by bus to Awajishima's tourist sites, the journey takes around 30 minutes and there are two main options departing from Sannomiya Bus Terminal (Mint Kobe) or Shinki Bus Sannomiya Bus Terminal. Both terminals offer routes to Awaji IC, the gateway to the island's tourist attractions.

Since these terminals are conveniently close to each other, it's recommended to check the bus schedules for both to plan your travel efficiently.

  Sannomiya Bus Terminal (Mint Kobe)

Shinki Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal

Direct Bus from Sannomiya to Popular Attractions on Awaji Island

Awaji Island --> Popular Facilities

The Awaji Resort Bus's Kita-Awaji Nishi-Kaigan Line is highly recommended for exploring Awaji Island's famous attractions. This direct bus service provides easy access to major attractions such as Zenbo Seinei, the anime theme park Nijigen no Mori, the HELLO KITTY facilities, and more.

If you want to know more about the bus schedule of the direct bus to popular attractions on Awaji Island, check the link below!

Kita-Awaji Nishi-Kaigan Line Access and Schedule

Bus from Sannomiya to Popular Attractions on Awaji Island (Through Awaji IC)

Sannomiya --> Awaji Interchange (IC) --> Popular Facilities

If you're not able to use the Kita-Awaji Nishi-Kaigan Line due to schedule constraints, taking a bus to Awaji IC (Awaji Interchange) is a suitable alternative. From Awaji IC, you can then transfer to a free shuttle bus that conveniently transports you to the popular attractions across Awaji Island. Check the section below for access from Awaji IC!

Free Shuttle Bus Going Around the Popular Attractions on Awaji Island

If you're traveling from Awaji IC or looking to transfer between popular facilities on Awaji Island, the free shuttle bus is your convenient solution.

Awaji Island Free Shuttle Bus

If you've grasped the route from Sannomiya to Awaji Island, you're ready to navigate from popular cities like Tokyo or Osaka to Awaji Island via Sannomiya. Let's dive into those details next!

From Osaka (Travel time: about 1 hour from JR Osaka Station)

Osaka Namba/Umeda/KIX --> Sannomiya --> Awaji Island (direct or indirect)

The three major departing points in Osaka are Namba, Umeda, and Kansai International Airport (KIX). 

Traveling to Awaji Island from the Namba area of Osaka is easy: take the Hanshin Namba Line from Osaka-Namba Station (platform 3) to Kobe-Sannomiya Station.

Traveling from Umeda is equally convenient. Simply take the JR Special Rapid train on the Kobe Line from JR Osaka Station directly to JR Sannomiya Station.

If you're traveling from KIX, chances are you'll take the express bus to Sannomiya Station, which costs 2,200 yen for a one-way direct journey from KIX to Sannomiya.

From Sannomiya, follow the guide above ("From Sannomiya (Kobe)") for seamless access to Awaji Island.

From Kobe Airport (Travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes)

Kobe Airport --> Sannomiya --> Awajishima (direct or via Awaji IC)

If you arrive at Kobe Airport, you can take the Portliner to Kobe-Sannomiya Station from Kobe Airport Station, which costs 340 yen. From Sannomiya, simply follow our guide above ("From Sannomiya (Kobe)") to reach Awaji Island.

From Tokyo (travel time: 3 hours 45 minutes)

Tokyo --> Shin-Kobe --> Sannomiya --> Awaji Island (direct or indirect)
OR, Tokyo --> Shin-Kobe --> Awaji IC --> Popular Facilities

You might think traveling from Tokyo to Awaji Island is quite far and challenging, but it's actually very easy. Let me show you how.

If you are arriving by plane at Kobe Airport or KIX you can follow the guide mentioned above, if you choose the Shinkansen (costs around 14,000 yen) you will arrive at Shin-Kobe Station.

From Shin-Kobe Station, you can catch a direct bus to Awaji IC. From there, you can transfer to a free shuttle bus that travels around Awaji Island's popular attractions.

If that doesn't work with your schedule, you can also take the Seishin-Yamate Line (210 yen) to Sannomiya Station. From Sannomiya, follow the guide above to get to Awaji Island.

Summary Access to Awaji Island

Getting to Awaji Island may seem complicated, but it's actually simple. Your first step is reaching Sannomiya, which is easily accessible. From Sannomiya, you have direct options to reach popular facilities on Awaji Island via the Kita-Awaji Nishi-Kaigan Line.

Alternatively, you head to Awaji IC, where a free shuttle bus will take you to various attractions on the island. This shuttle bus also operates to help you navigate around the popular spots on Awaji Island conveniently.

Awaji Island: Breathtaking Nature, Delicious Food, and Fun Activities

Awaji Island is a natural wonderland boasting breathtaking scenery, from vibrant flower fields and pristine beaches to lush forests and verdant mountains. Along its coastline, you'll discover charming beaches and rugged cliffs offering stunning vistas, especially during mesmerizing sunsets that paint the sky in vibrant hues of pink and orange.

Awaji Island, also known as the "Land of Food", has a long history of providing food to the royal court. With a 100% food production self-sufficiency rate and a deep agricultural heritage, the island has been a reliable source of quality food for centuries.

Not only steeped in tradition but the island is also undergoing rapid transformation through regional revitalization efforts.

From anime attractions to Hello Kitty-themed experiences and innovative culinary delights, Awaji Island appeals to the younger generation. Few places in Japan blend tradition and modernity as harmoniously as Awaji Island.

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