Awaji Island is Japan's largest island in the Seto Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku.

Hello Kitty Smile lies on the west coast of Awaji Island, established in April 2018. This popular spot is chock full of adorable Hello Kitty attractions that fans of all ages will love!

It even upgraded in April 2020 after undergoing a media, art, and restaurant renewal, with the new theme being 'Hello Kitty at sea.'

Ryugu Castle is a mythical undersea palace and the setting of Otohime, a famous Japanese folk tale. Teeming with colorful corals and all kinds of fish, Hello Kitty as Otohime now welcomes you into her home!

The venue is an elongated two-story building that faces the sea. The theme of the first floor is 'a world under the sea', where Hello Kitty greets visitors from an open car and a giant kaleidoscope.

On the second floor, you'll find Hello Kitty's Room, where you can meet and greet Hello Kitty face to face! There's also a dome-shaped theater called Palace Theater Time, and a projection mapping attraction called Time After Party.

From Osaka, take the highway bus to Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway/Awaji IC. From there, it's about 10 minutes via free shuttle bus.

A new toll bus, launched in December 2021, departs from Sannomiya, located in central Kobe, and goes around the west coast of Awaji, stopping at Hello Kitty Smile. Take this bus directly to the venue to avoid transferring trains at Awaji IC. A parking lot is also available for those who choose to go by car.

Purchase your admission ticket at the ticket booth at the entrance or online. Tickets are available for adults, children (4 years+), junior/senior high school students, and senior citizens (65+), as well as parent-child specials.

You don't have to understand Japanese to enjoy Hello Kitty! The hall staff will be happy to assist with any questions you may have. Unfortunately, pamphlets are currently only available in Japanese, although foreign language pamphlets are in the works for the future!

Hello Kitty Smile is the only place in Japan where we can meet Hello Kitty as Princess Otohime.

Beautiful corals abound, and colorful fish swim swiftly through the blue underwater world as a friendly sea turtle guides parents and children through, passing rocky caves, a flashy convertible, and Hello Kitty wherever you go!

When you cross the bridge to Otohime Ryugu Castle, you'll see Hello Kitty once again, this time glittering in a kaleidoscope against a bright, starry background.

Up the stairs is a dome-shaped theater about 14 meters in diameter, where you'll be entertained by a spectacular sound and light performance featuring Hello Kitty as the princess!

This performance can only be seen here on Awaji Island. Get excited as you lose yourself in the rhythm and the movements!

After checking out Hello Kitty by history in the Mirror Maze, enjoy one last projection mapping display of Otohime Ryugu Castle. When you touch the stars, the lights dance, and Hello Kitty appears in her princess dress!

With photo ops in just about every inch of the hall, you won't want to put your camera down!

At Otohime Ryugu Castle, there are more than just projection mapping attractions. You can also take on missions from Hello Kitty! If you complete your mission, you can even receive an original gift and a discount on your next admission fee.

In the center of the first floor is an event space where you can enjoy hands-on crafting experiences such as sand art and vinyl crafts. Events are open to adults and children, and many families join together!

Our top recommendation is the 'suyaki,' or unglazed painting experience, where you can paint an unglazed Hello Kitty tile however you like! Awaji Island is famous for 'Awaji tiles,' one of Japan's three most common roofing tiles, made popular for their high-quality clay.

Painting your own magical memories with this Hello Kitty art experience! The price for the unglazed painting experience is 1,300 yen, while the sand and vinyl crafts are 500 yen.

At Hello Kitty Smile, Hello Kitty herself will pop up here and there, giving you the chance to meet her in person yourself! Hello Kitty Smile also holds 'Smile Greetings,' 'Restaurant Greetings,' and 'Smile Shows' on the weekends.

So if you don't get to experience this meet and greet, don't worry! You'll surely have a chance to meet Hello Kitty somewhere else!

During the Restaurant Greeting, Hello Kitty pays a visit to each restaurant and goes around to each table. Crack a smile while you eat, and have your photo taken together with your family, friends, and Hello Kitty herself!

Smile Greetings from Hello Kitty. While nobody knows where she might appear on any given day, everyone should definitely check out Hello Kitty's Room on the second floor!

Here, Hello Kitty dressed as Otohime welcomes everyone into her brightly decorated room furnished with a red sofa and fancy chandelier. Pose with Hello Kitty, and smile for the camera - and for the memory of a lifetime!

There are four restaurants on-site. The Garden Terrace on the first floor serves authentic Chinese food such as handmade dim sum, while the Party Terrace specializes in grilled seafood.

On the second floor is Restaurant Tamatebako, where you can enjoy a delicious hot pot of local Awaji Island ingredients. Finally, there's the Party Balcony, which is the place we will introduce here.

Party Balcony is an elegant space for adults, with counters and tables lining both sides of the elongated, glass-enclosed shop. However, if you look closely, you'll still see traces of Hello Kitty's cute, childlike charm, from the Hello Kitty paintings on the ceilings to the small stuffed dolls on the table.

Here you can enjoy drinks such as Hello Kitty Smile's limited latte art and exquisite high tea.

Our recommended pick from the Party Balcony menu is the Elegant High Tea. This luxurious menu item combines sweets and light meals served in three layers, just like afternoon tea.

Today's menu features a Western-style Hello Kitty Daifuku with white cream bean paste filling, mango pudding, orange cheesecake, and a pistachio and raspberry sponge cake.

The middle row contains vanilla ice cream, spinach corn, chocolate cupcakes, fromage, and matcha macaroons.

The bottom layer includes the creamed corn Hello Kitty Croquette with caponata (stuffed with seasonal vegetables), crackers with prosciutto, and pickles.

The Hello Kitty Daifuku and Hello Kitty Croquette are always included.

With Hello Kitty staring at you so sweetly, it may be hard to bite into this adorable Hello Kitty Daifuku. However, digging in is a risk you'll have to take! The chewy outer rice cake and the creamy bean paste inside perfectly represent Hello Kitty's soft, gentle nature.

It's cute even after you bite into it! Each item on all three plates is carefully crafted one by one, and together are so filling, you'll feel satisfied once you are done.

With your favorite hot or cold drink, you can order this picture-perfect latte art (800 yen). Choose from six flavors and nine latte art designs. More latte art designs become available during holidays such as Christmas so that you can enjoy a different Hello Kitty in your cup each time!

Hello Kitty Smile has souvenir shops on the first and second floors. The second floor is geared towards more grown-up guests, featuring collaboration goods with various popular brands.

Most of the souvenirs at Hello Kitty Smile are limited original goods that you'll only find here. The most popular items are the plush dolls, especially the limited-edition Hello Kitty Otohime Plush (only available here). Another fan favorite is the Hello Kitty Mermaid Plush (2,750 yen).

On the first floor, you'll find bags, pouches, stationery, and sweets that also make perfect souvenirs. The following recommended items are all limited original goods.

The popular towel handkerchief is of the brand Imabari, known for its high water absorbency. This high-quality item makes it perfect for daily use.

About three minutes away from Hello Kitty Smile by free shuttle bus is their sister location, Hello Kitty Show Box. This theater restaurant offers not only meals but live Hello Kitty shows, too!

Feast your eyes on this exciting dance and music show, featuring music, dance, performers, and Hello Kitty herself! Then feast on the meal - a vegan burger completely free of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey. Of course, you can take a photo with Hello Kitty afterward, too!

If you've ever wanted to spend an entire day of fun with Hello Kitty, then Hello Kitty Smile is the perfect place!

Hello Kitty Smile is a charming spot on the west coast of Awaji Island facing the sea. Enjoy the gentle sea breeze during the day, and watch the beautiful sunset over the Seto Inland Sea at night, as you spend a wonderful time immersing yourself in the world of Hello Kitty.

Whether child or adult, anyone can make magical memories when they visit Hello Kitty Smile and Hello Kitty Show Box!

(*All prices in text include tax.)

Health & Safety Measures

Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Coin trays used - Plastic partitions installed - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Limited capacity/increased space between seats - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

Text by: Tamami Kunimatsu
*Information in article of January 2022. Please see official websites for latest updates.

Translated by: Krys Suzuki