FAQ on Awaji Island: Access, Must-visit Places, Restaurants and More

What is Awaji Island famous for?

Awaji Island is known as the "mythical birthplace of Japan" mentioned in the ancient text "Kojiki." According to legend, Awaji Island is the first land of Japan to be created by the gods. Due to its favorable location and rich natural environment, it was once known as "Miketsu Kuni" (Land of Food). Even today, Awaji Island continues to offer an abundance of local ingredients and delicious cuisine.

Where is Awaji Island?

Awaji Island is located in the Kansai region of Japan (Hyogo Prefecture) in the Seto Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku. It is easily accessible from major cities such as Kobe and Osaka, about 30 minutes drive from Kobe and about 1 hour drive from Osaka. Buses and other public transportation are also available.

What's the Best Way to Get to Awaji Island?

Kobe (Sannomiya) is a transportation hub with easy access from Kobe Airport and Shin-Kobe. Many people also travel to Awaji Island from Osaka via Kobe (Sannomiya).
From Kobe
(Sannomiya), you can take a direct express bus to Awaji Island, making travel
very smooth.

How Do I Get Around Awaji Island?

While city buses do operate on Awaji Island, there’s also a convenient free shuttle bus service that transports visitors to popular tourist spots along the island’s West Coast. For details, please see the "Complete Access Guide" above.
Now, let us answer your questions about these popular tourist destinations.

What are the Island’s Must-visit Destinations? 

Popular tourist spots on Awaji Island include the anime theme park "Nijigen no Mori", the Hello Kitty theme parks "HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX" and "HELLO KITTY SMILE", and other seaside restaurants. 

Where Do I Eat? 

Popular restaurants on Awaji Island include the seaside restaurants "miele" and "Ocean Terrace," where you can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients. We also recommend "Aman no Shokutaku," where you can enjoy authentic Japanese pirate cuisine and teppanyaki.

Where is the Best Place to Stay on Awaji Island?

Awaji Island is home to a selection of first-class hotels where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the island. We recommend the Grand Chariot, which offers a luxurious glamping experience, Zenbo Seinei, where you can find inner peace through meditation, yoga, and Zen cuisine, and Auberge "French Forest", if you want to enjoy French cuisine.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

Awaji Island benefits from a gentle climate owing to its position in the Seto Inland Sea, experiencing mild winters without extreme cold. With average annual temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius, it enjoys pleasant conditions throughout the year, with each season offering unique charms.

We hope this FAQ page has provided you with valuable information about Awaji Island! Be sure to visit and experience the diverse tourist attractions and natural beauty that Awaji Island has to offer!