Hi,
I’m thinking of doing a daytrip to Awaji Island (from Osaka) in early January.
From google / other websites, it seems potentially tricky to get around by bus alone.
Anyone happens to know how easy it is to get a taxi from ‘random’ tourist spots? Or would renting a car+driver for the day be better? (Will be travelling with kid and older folks).
Spots I would like to visit:
\- Hanasajiki
\- Hello Kitty Smile
\- one of the seaside restaurants (some website recommended Miele?)
\- Potentially a stop somewhere to get snacks / souvenirs (saw websites about egg pudding, chocolate-coated oranges?)
​
Just worried about getting ‘stranded’ somewhere if taxis refuse to pick me up on an ad-hoc basis from one of the above spots. So wondering if anyone has past experience to share, or any other tips for Awaji.
Thanks in advance!
4 comments
I rented a car for a day trip to Awaji-Shima from Osaka and what stood out to me was the amount of tolls I had to pay. It came out to way more than the car rental plus gas itself.
Honestly, it was a neat experience but if I had a chance to choose to do it again, I probably wouldn’t.
I have a Japanese friend (he was an exchange student to the USA.) and he took me on a road trip with some other people to Awaji Island from Osaka when I visited him.
This road trip was 10 years ago, but it did seem very car dependent, and I don’t recall seeing many cabs at all. Mostly small towns. We were on the side of the island that faces Osaka Bay.
I was going to recommend the Kannon world peace statue, but apparently it was demolished this year. 😢 Apparently it had fallen into disrepair after the owners passed away.
The bridge toll alone for the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is ¥2,300, EACH WAY. Almost $16 USD each way, or $32 round trip. If you rent a car on the island, you would skip this toll. (Take transit to get to the island)
Thanks both! I may … rethink my plans after all. Seems the cost to charter a car could be quite similar (at least on a per-pax basis) to a shinkansen round-trip ticket to nagoya instead…
Me and the wife rented a car from central Osaka to go on a one night trip to awaji, big spots had buses lined up but I wouldn’t recommend buses unless you buy a package deal with hotel or if you want to explore at your own pace.