Enjoy a “car-free” Awaji Island to its fullest with the new travel plan called 「Awaji Island West Coast Bus Island」. No need for a car! Drink alcohol without any worries! If you want to travel on Awaji Island, then the bus is the way to go!
Bus Island
Coinciding with this event is our newest arrival, the Hello Kitty wrapped bus, that has made its debut. The numerous Hello Kitty faces on a bright red design are totally cute! What’s more, you can tour the tourists’ attractions on the Awaji Island West Coast for free! This tour includes around 15 facilities on the Awaji Island West Coast.
Visitors coming in from Akashi by boat are kindly asked to get off on the “Iwaya Port” stop and visitors coming from Osaka Umeda or Kobe Sannomiya by highway express bus are kindly asked to get off at the “Awaji Interchange” station. Hop on the bus and enjoy food and activities to your heart’s content!
Access to facilities
Did you know that Awaji Island has three Hello Kitty facilities?
“AWAJI HELLO KITTY APPLE LAND” is an entertainment facility where you can fully enjoy the world of Hello Kitty through shows, greetings, meals, shopping and other experiences. If you made it all the way to the cute Hello Kitty Bus, wouldn’t it be a waste to not go meet Hello Kitty herself?
※Depending on the time there is a possibility that a bus other than the Hello Kitty bus appears. We ask for your understanding in this matter.
Directions from JR Sannomiya Station
☆For detailed information on directions please check the video!
１．Once you arrive at the JR Sannomiya station we recommend exiting at the East Gate ticket gate exit.
２．Please proceed towards the Mint Kobe building and you will arrive at the Sannomiya Bus Terminal (Mint Kobe). It is on the ground floor.
３．Please purchase a ticket at the ticket window or from a ticket machine. *Suica and IC card can also be used
４．Please get on the bus from platform 5 that is next to the escalator.
５．After a 40-minute ride, please get off at the Awaji IC (Interchange)
６．Go down the steps facing away from the Ferris Wheel, and turn right following the sign for ‘Nijigen-no-Mori
７．Keep walking straight ahead through the tunnel
８．Once you leave the tunnel, a pedestrian bridge will appear on your right. With the bridge on your right keep going straight until you reach closer to the road.
９．You have arrived at the stop for the free shuttle bus (please wait around the photo)
Once you get on the bus,
● If you want to go to the ‘HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX’ , ‘HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE’ please get off at the Hello Kitty Show box stop
● If you want to go to ‘HELLO KITTY SMILE’ please get off at the Hello Kitty Smile/Miele the Diner stop
《If you want more detailed access information please click here》
What is AWAJI HELLO KITTY APPLE LAND?
It is the collective name for the three Hello Kitty facilities:
the media art and restaurant ‘HELLO KITTY SMILE’, which is located next to the sea; the show and restaurant ‘HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX’, which is located on a small hill; and the world’s largest apple-shaped observation theatre ‘HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE’.
HELLO KITTY SMILE
A fantastic undersea palace where Hello Kitty, dressed as the Princess Otohime, and sea creatures go back and forth. In addition to the media art area, which you can enjoy by walking around, there are also two restaurants. At the restaurant, you can enjoy Hello Kitty-themed Chinese food made with carefully selected ingredients while taking in the view of the Harima Sea. There are plenty of things to do at HELLO KITTY SMILE such as greeting Hello Kitty and taking part in workshops, including a sand painting workshop!
HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX
In this restaurant you can enjoy a meal while watching a live show featuring Hello Kitty herself! There are three shows that are held during lunch and cafe time. After the show, there is an opportunity to go up on stage and meet Hello Kitty, allowing for a photo opportunity as well. There is also a shop in the facility that sells goods that are limited to this location, so please shop to your hearts content♪
※The content of the show and Hello Kitty’s costume will vary depending on the time of year.
《Click here for performance information.》
HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE
The world’s largest apple-shaped observation theatre, based on the concept of Hello Kitty’s apple house, is located next to the ‘HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX’. The inside of the apple is a 360° dome theatre, and there is also an observation deck on the roof. From the 15m high observation deck, you can enjoy the view of the Hello Kitty face on the roof of the Hello Kitty Show Box and the spectacular view of Awaji Island!
営業時間
【HELLO KITTY SMILE】
TEL:0799-70-9037
※Closed on Tuesdays
Weekdays: 11:00 – 19:00 (last entry 18:00)
Weekends and public holidays: 10:00 – 19:00 (last entry 18:00)
*Opening hours for the restaurants vary depending on the store.
【HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX】
【HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE】
TEL:0799-70-9022
※Closed on Wednesdays
Opening hours: 11:00 – 17:00
◇LUNCH TIME: 11:00 – 13:30
◇CAFÉ TIME: 14:00 – 17:00
Access
⑴ By bus
Express bus: Shin-Kobe/Sannomiya/Gakuentoshi/Maiko Station → Awaji IC → 15 minutes by free shuttle bus
*For the shuttle bus, go down the stairs at Awaji IC and turn right. The bus will depart from the bicycle parking area on the right after passing under the expressway.
(2) If you are coming by car
15 minutes from the Hokudan I.C. on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway.
(3) If you are coming by boat
Awaji Genova Line Akashi Port → Iwaya Port → 35 minutes by free shuttle bus.
《Click here for details on how to get to Hello Kitty Smile》
《Click here for details on how to get to Hello Kitty Show Box》