Awaji Island (Awajishima) with Kids — Visit from Kobe or Osaka
Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Kay
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Awaji Island, known as Awajishima (淡路島) in Japanese is a beautiful destination in Hyogo Prefecture for people looking to escape the city in Kansai, especially Kobe and Osaka.
It’s hands down one of my favorite places in Japan to visit with my family throughout the year. The views and vibes are nothing short of fantastic and there are plenty of things for kids to do as well!
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A Brief Overview of Awaji Island
Awaji Island is located in Hyogo Prefecture just south of Kobe across the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. It’s believed to be the first island that emerged in Japan and is popular with tourists, not only for its beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea, but also for its food, specifically Awaji onions, chicken, beef, and hot springs.
There’s lots to experience on the island, although I recommend renting a car to get to locations easier.
How to Get to Awaji Island
Awaji Island is about a 1-hour drive from Kobe Station, a 1.5-hour drive from Osaka Station, and a 2-hour drive from Kyoto Station.
The best way to travel around Awaji Island is by car (if you don’t own a car, consider renting one or hiring a car and driver).
If you want to get to Awaji Island using public transport, it’s best to use a highway bus from Sannomiya in Kobe.
There is also a free shuttle bus on the island but note that the buses don’t run very often. During peak season (such as summer vacation), it runs about once every twenty minutes. However, this is subject to change so make sure to check the schedule in advance.
What to See and Do with Kids on Awaji Island
If you’re looking for ideas on what to see and do on Awaji Island, here are my personal recommendations.
I’m still exploring Awaji Island so I’ll make sure to add to this article whenever I experience somewhere new.
Hello Kitty Smile, Apple House, and SHOWBOX
If you have a Hello Kitty fan in your family, then you’ll want to go to these three spots, which are close to each other.
I’ve written an article about my experience visiting Hello Kitty Smile, Apple House, and SHOWBOX with my daughter, so please give it a read to find out more!
Hyogo Prefecture Awaji Hanasajiki
Here you can see beautiful fields of flowers, which change according to the season. There are also some cows nearby, which my daughter enjoyed looking at as well.
Check out the cute onion on the side of the hill!
Nijigen no Mori
This is a huge and highly-rated theme park featuring areas for popular anime and games in Japan:
If you or your kids are fans of any of the above, I highly recommend visiting. Each is an immersive experience making you feel like you’ve traveled to another world so you’re bound to have a great time as a family.
It’ll take at least half a day to see everything in one of these areas, so keep that in mind.
I’ve written a review about our experience visiting Dragon Quest Island so please have a look!
Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park
I absolutely love this park, which is large and lush. It boasts grassy fields as well as seasonal flowers and a beautiful view of the ocean. At 450 yen, it’s very affordable, too.
Within the park, there’s a huge playground called Yumekko Land, which is a great place to take kids. What I especially like about the park is that it has a small covered playground, making it wonderful for hot or rainy days, as well as water play areas during the summer. Kids in the water play areas have proper swimsuits but your kid can just wade in the water if you don’t have theirs on hand.
If you’re a local, bring a small tent and/or a mat to sit on as well as some food and drinks for a small picnic!
FUKIMODOSHI NO SATO
Want to do a unique activity with your kid? How about making a few party horns (party blowers)?
FUKIMODOSHI NO SATO is a factory that specializes in making traditional Japanese paper toys, including party blowers, which are called fukimodoshi in Japanese. In a workshop run by the factory, you and your kids can learn how to make your own to take home!
My family partook in this activity when my daughter was four years old. I was worried that it might be too hard for her to make the party blowers but she was able to get the hang of it pretty quickly (with our help, of course) and she had such a great time. Of course, she loved her party blowers and she still plays with them.
The factory has some fun activities kids can do using party blowers as well, which my daughter enjoyed.
Other Places on Awaji Island to Take Kids
These places are on our to-visit list but we haven’t been yet.
Awaji World Park ONOKORO
This is a theme park with various attractions that look like it would be great for kids. It also has an area called “Miniature World” that has small replicas of famous buildings around the world.
Greenarium Awajishima
This is both a restaurant and a greenhouse where you can pick strawberries when in season (end of December to the beginning of June).
Frolic Sea Adventure Park
As the name suggests, this is like an athletic water park. It’s directly on the sea and seems like an amazing place for kids to play in the ocean in a unique way.
Awaji Monkey Center
If your kids want to see Japanese monkeys and other animals in a natural environment (that is, not captured in a zoo), then this might be a great place to bring them.
Janohire Dolphin Farm
This is a place where kids can meet dolphins up close. If you want to interact with the dolphins (shake their fin, etc), you need to make a reservation in advance.
Ottamanegi
Awaji Island is most famous for its onions, which taste sweet. So of course they would have a giant onion photo spot!
Where to Eat with Kids on Awaji Island
There are so many great places to eat on Awaji Island. Here are a few of my favorites.
A Happy Pancake
This restaurant not only sells great pancakes as well as Italian food, but it also has seating overlooking the sea and some excellent photo spots.
There’s likely going to be a line when you arrive but that’s usually for the patio seats near the sea. If you’re okay sitting inside, talk to one of the staff members.
To access the spot where I took the photo above, go to the patio and exit from the right side stairs. You can also show the photo to a staff member and they’ll show you where to go.
Pescheria KAZANAMI (ペスケリア・風波)
This is probably one of my favorite restaurants in the Kansai region.
I love the outdoor tables, where you can relax and watch the ocean while eating something delicious. They specialize in local food, especially seafood, and although their menu isn’t large, it can still be hard to decide what to get!
I’ve tried their ochazuke set with seabream and my husband got their seafood bowl (donburi), pictured below.
They also have a meal for kids! My daughter devoured everything on her plate.
It can be hard to get a table during weekends so try to make a reservation in advance if you can.
Yakiniku Ushijima (焼肉 牛島)
This yakiniku restaurant is absolutely delicious. It’s a little pricey but after you’ve tried their meat, you’ll quickly understand why. It’s extremely high quality and depending on the cut, just melts in your mouth.
Although pricey, I recommend trying the 上ロース and 特選ロース, which are high quality cuts of sirloin.
If you like, you can also try one of their kaisen bowls, which has fresh sashimi.
Hello Kitty SHOW BOX
If you want a show and a dose of kawaii with your meal, definitely check out Hello Kitty SHOW BOX. They offer lunch, cafe, and dinner meal plans.
Note that this should be reserved in advance.
To read about my experience visiting SHOW BOX with my family, read this article.
Shima no Neko (しまのねこ)
I absolutely love this bakery! Their bread not only tastes amazing but you can get a large loaf shaped like a cat!
(If you’re not heading back home after visiting, I suggest getting one of their mini loaves, especially the one made with Awaji Island’s famous onions.)
Where to Stay in Awaji Island with Kids
Although Awaji can be done as a day trip, I recommend staying for a night or two to fully experience the island.
Grand Chariot Hokutoshichisei 135°
This hotel has beautiful cottage-like rooms overlooking the mountains or the sea. Each room has a skylight in the middle of the roof from which you can do some star-gazing.
They also have themed rooms featuring characters like Hello Kitty, video games like Dragon Quest, and anime like Naruto, and even Godzilla. If you’re a fan of any of these, then I highly recommend trying to snag one of these special rooms.
Children stay for free and they offer free breakfast.
I really want to stay here but at the moment I can’t afford it (but if your currency is strong against the yen, then it might be an affordable place to stay for you and your family!).
GRAND NIKKO Awaji
This is a gorgeous hotel that overlooks the ocean.
It’s very kid-friendly, offering special menus for kids as well as children’s pajamas.
They also have free stroller and crib rentals and can prepare baby food for your child at an additional cost.
Breakfast is free and kids stay for free as well.
Hotel New Awaji
This a ryokan-like hotel that is located within walking distance of a beach. There’s a playground for kids and bicycle rentals.
Depending on the plan you get, breakfast with or without dinner is included.
You can use one of their three kinds of public onsen and some rooms also have their own private onsen. In summer they have an outdoor pool with a small waterslide.
There’s a kids’ corner and games corner as well, so plenty for little ones to do.
Wrap-up: Awaji Island with Kids
I hope this look at my experience visiting Awaji Island has been helpful to you. It’s truly one of my favorite places to visit in the Kansai area with my family and perhaps it will become one of your favorites, too!