Nijigen no Mori (Awaji Island Anime Park)

Nijigen no Mori immerses you in the world of some of the most iconic manga that characterizes Japanese pop culture. It also doubles as a fun and interactive adventure inside Awajishima Prefectural Park on Awaji Island, just southwest of Osaka in Hyogo Prefecture.

Awaji Island is actually connected via bridge to Kobe—the city with Japan’s most famous beef. Basically, it’s a day trip to a less crowded, anime-infused park where you can even camp overnight. Nijigen no Mori literally translates to “two-dimensional forest.”

The park is designed for visitors to feel as if they were stepping into the fantasy world of their favorite characters. Some attractions are more geared towards families and children, but it’s fun for all ages.

Anime highlights of Nijigen no Mori

Calling all Naruto fans, here’s your chance to experience the world of the popular anime Naruto and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. The Naruto and Boruto (Naruto & Boruto – Shinobi-Zato) attraction features life-sized statues and models, and offers a number of activities for all visitors.

Lose yourself in a maze or train like your favorite ninjas. Beat trials and challenges to collect all the missing seals (the very ones used for the Sealing Jutsu), or maybe just chill in one of the restaurants, including the iconic ramen shop favored by Naruto: Ramen Ichiraku (ラーメン一楽).

But wait, there’s more. In the summer of 2020, the park will open a new Godzilla attraction featuring a 120-meter-long statue of everyone’s favorite Japanese monster.

Visitors will act as a scientist helping to tame the towering beast at the “National Awaji Island Institute of Godzilla Disaster,” after research on him has gone totally wrong. The attraction will take you on a thrilling zipline ride through Godzilla’s mouth, firing missiles while inside. Sounds awesome, even if it doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense.

If you’re familiar with the beloved manga character Crayon Shin-chan, you’ll love strolling through the forest and trying to spot figures peeking over bushes in some of its most famous and outrageous poses at its own attraction, Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park.

In this area, also check out the two zip lines (130-meters and 210-meters long) that you can glide along and even partake in water gun fights along the way.  Next, challenge yourself in the Bravo! Great Adventure Across The Warring States! area. It has an obstacle and ropes course for families and kids.

Nighttime and accommodation

After sundown, the face of the park changes completely. At night, immerse yourself in the world of the legendary manga Hinotori (The Firebird) by Tezuka Osamu, who also created Astro Boy. This 1.2-kilometer projection mapping tour through the forest is magical with actors playing local villagers introducing you to this manga-inspired world.

Aside from the anime-themed attractions, Nijigen no Mori is a beautiful park with a variety of trees and flowers, as well as several restaurants serving barbecue, Italian and Japanese cuisine.

Visitors can also stay overnight at the Grand Chariot, a “glamping” (glamorous camping) facility with cottages within the park itself.