Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
September 2, 2026
Along the coast of Awaji Island, you'll find a cluster of anime-themed amusement parks featuring characters from Naruto, Crayon Shin-chan, Godzilla, and more. Additionally, the officially licensed Sanrio park, "Hello Kitty Smile," reopened in March 2026. Many tourists visit these attractions on the same day and stay overnight at seaside accommodations around Awaji Island. It takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour by bus from Kobe Sannomiya. This article will guide travelers visiting the port area on how to best enjoy Awaji Island's two-dimensional forest, which areas to choose, and whether or not to stay overnight.
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2D Forest and Hello Kitty Smile are located in the northern part of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. However, 2D Forest is operated by the Pasona Group, while Hello Kitty Smile is officially licensed by Sanrio. They are more like large outdoor experiential facilities and art museums than a typical amusement park.
| Awaji Island Spots | Theme | Characteristics | Admission fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 二次元の森 | Anime theme park | Multiple areas featuring characters from Naruto, Crayon Shin-chan, Godzilla, Dragon Quest, and more. Located within Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park. | Admission is free, but tickets must be purchased separately for each themed area. |
| Hello Kitty Smile | Officially licensed Sanrio art and restaurant facility | The theme is the underwater world of Otohime Ryugu Castle. You can take commemorative photos with Hello Kitty dressed as a princess. A theater restaurant, "HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX," is also located on the premises. | Ticket prices start from approximately 1,500 yen depending on the type of ticket (please check the official website for actual prices). |
Awaji Island is connected to Kobe by land via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, so you can reach it without taking a boat.
| Departure | How to get to Awaji Island | Acitivity Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kobe Sannomiya | Take a highway bus to Awaji IC, then transfer to a free shuttle bus to the west coast area. | Bus: approximately 40-45 minutes + Shuttle: approximately 10-20 minutes |
| Akashi Port | Take the high-speed ferry (Awaji Genova Line) to Iwaya Port, then transfer to a shuttle bus. | Boat ride: approximately 13 minutes + Shuttle ride: approximately 20-25 minutes |
| Osaka | First, take the JR line to Sannomiya Station, then transfer to one of the bus routes mentioned above. | Approx. 2 hour |
| Private car | Take the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway to Awaji IC. Parking is available in the surrounding area. | Depending on road conditions, it takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. |
| Two-dimensional forest area | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobizato | The scenery of the Hidden Leaf Village is recreated. You can experience ninja training and mission gatherings. There is also a restaurant themed after Ichiraku Ramen. |
| Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Land | Outdoor activities and playground equipment for families. Some areas are open free of charge. |
| Godzilla interception operation | Experience a high-altitude zipline ride that takes you towards a life-sized replica of Godzilla. |
| Dragon Quest Island | A facility to explore the world of RPGs. |
| Limited-time collaboration event | In the past, they have held collaboration events with titles such as "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" and "SPY×FAMILY." The content changes irregularly. |
2D Forest Official Website:https://nijigennomori.com/
Hello Kitty Smile is located in the "AWAJI HELLO KITTY APPLE LAND" area, on the west coast of Awaji Island, along the coast facing the Harima Sea. It is an officially licensed Sanrio collaboration facility that reopened in March 2026 with the theme of "A magical Ryugu Palace where everyone can be the star."
The museum's interior features Hello Kitty in the ocean, with media art and projection mapping recreating the underwater world of Princess Otohime's Ryugu Palace. Visitors can experience what it's like to dive into the deep sea and head towards Ryugu Palace, encountering several interactive media art experiences along the way. These include a section where visitors can dance with Hello Kitty in the palace theater. One of the museum's biggest highlights is the opportunity to take a commemorative photo at close range with Hello Kitty dressed in Princess Otohime's costume.
The adjoining theater-style restaurant hosts Hello Kitty musical shows with different themes each season. Combining holographic 3D images with lighting effects, the show concludes with a dedicated photo opportunity where you can take pictures with Hello Kitty. The menu mainly features dishes made with ingredients from Awaji Island, which can be enjoyed while overlooking the sea.
Opening hours (actual details will be as announced in the official announcement):
| Ticket Type | Reference price |
|---|---|
| General (ages 13 and up) | Approximately 1,500 to 2,200 yen |
| Junior high school and high school students | About 1,500 yen |
| Children (ages 4-12) | About 800 yen |
| 3 and under | Free |
| Parent-child set (1 adult + 1 child) | About 3,000 yen |
Prices may vary depending on the event content and whether food and drinks are included. Please check the Hello Kitty Smile official website before departure.https://awaji-resort.com/hellokittysmile/)Please verify.
Located at the gateway to Awaji Island, this resort facility offers each tent a private hot spring bath, dining area, and toilet. After sunset, guests can enjoy a bonfire in their private garden while gazing at the starry sky that can only be seen here. The menu includes Awaji beef, Awaji pork, and grilled salmon.
Access (by private car)
Approximately 40 minutes from Shin-Kobe / Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Umeda. After crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and exiting at Higashiura IC, it's about 15 minutes via National Route 28.
Access (Bus): Approximately 1 hour from Kobe Sannomiya. Take the West Japan JR Bus bound for Sumoto Expressway Bus Center from the Sannomiya "Mint Kobe No. 4" bus stop and get off at "Higashiura IC".
Reservation site:https://www.resort-glamping.com/accommodation/glamp-mare/
This glamping facility features dome-shaped tents, all offering ocean views. Each tent is equipped with a private bathroom, toilet, and BBQ area, ensuring a comfortable and private stay.
The facility offers a luxurious glamping experience with a heart-shaped pool overlooking the sea, a private jacuzzi, and a vegetable market. The vegetable market is particularly appealing, allowing guests to freely choose and enjoy seasonal vegetables.
For dinner, you can enjoy ingredients unique to Awaji Island, such as Awaji beef, Awaji pork, and Awaji chicken, at the BBQ.
Traffic access:
【car】
Approximately 30 minutes from Shin-Kobe / Approximately 1 hour from Umeda
[Train/Bus]
Approximately 1 hour from Kobe Sannomiya
Take a bus bound for Goshiki Bus Center from Sannomiya (Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal) and get off at "Awaji IC".
Reservation site:https://www.resort-glamping.com/accommodation/glamping-resort-awaji/
Yes, there is. On the west coast of Awaji Island, there is the officially licensed Sanrio "Hello Kitty Smile" and "AWAJI HELLO KITTY APPLE
It belongs to the "LAND" area. The theme is the underwater world of Otohime Ryugu Castle, and it is an officially renovated collaboration facility that reopened in March 2026.
Yes, it's possible. Both are located on the west coast of Awaji Island and are a popular combination for travelers visiting Hong Kong and Taiwan. For example, you could visit one in the morning, go to the other in the afternoon, and stay at a nearby accommodation for the night.
You don't necessarily need to take a boat. By land, you can take a highway bus to Awaji IC and transfer to a free shuttle bus; the entire journey takes about an hour. If you choose the sea route, take a high-speed ferry from Akashi Port to Iwaya Port and transfer to a shuttle bus. Access by private car via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is also convenient.
Ticket types and prices vary depending on whether you choose an adult, student, child, or parent-child set. Online information suggests prices start from around 1,500 yen, but please check the latest announcement on the official website for actual prices.
You'll have a great time. The "Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Land" in the 2D forest has a free area exclusively for children. The Hello Kitty Smile parent-child set ticket is also a popular option, and both are plans that are often included in trips with families.
Prices vary depending on the facility's grade, room type, and whether meals are included. Options range from affordable dome tents to luxurious villas with private pools and hot springs. Find what suits your budget and preferences at Resort Glamping.com
Try narrowing down your search and comparing the results.
The charm of the 2D Forest lies not in the sheer number of attractions, but in the fact that it brings the entire world of anime to life, allowing you to immerse yourself in it. After a day of fun, you can enjoy a BBQ in a tent by the sea while watching the sunset—an experience like that will surely help you understand why more and more travelers are making the effort to cross the sea and visit Awaji Island.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
