Are you a Naruto fan dreaming of a ninja adventure in a theme park inspired by the iconic manga and anime? Look no further than Nijigen no Mori, the world’s largest Naruto-themed park located on Awaji Island.
Japan is famous for its captivating anime productions, and Nijigen no Mori is a must-visit for anime enthusiasts.
This park offers an exciting and unique experience, especially for Naruto fans, combining the magic of manga and anime with the beauty of nature.
Where is Nijigen no Mori?
Nijigen no Mori is situated on Awaji Island, right across from Kobe, a city renowned for its wagyu beef. The park is nestled within the expansive Awajishima Prefectural Park in Hyogo Prefecture, covering an impressive 134.8 hectares.
Getting there is quite convenient. From the airport or main train station, you can hop on a bus to Nijigen no Mori via Awaji IC, crossing the spectacular Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge. This route also offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea and Osaka Bay.
Once on the island, we chose to enjoy a scenic 15-20 minute uphill walk instead of taking the bus. Within the park, a ‘tram’ shuttle service is available to transport visitors from parking areas to the attraction entrances for a daily fee of 500 yen.
Nijigen no Mori attractions
Nijigen no Mori, meaning ‘two-dimensional forest‘ in Japanese, is where fantasy meets reality, offering a unique experience for Japanese pop culture fans. The park features detailed recreations of scenes from popular manga and anime, along with beloved characters from Japanese culture. From Godzilla to Dragon Quest and Naruto to Crayon Shin-chan, there’s something for everyone.
What sets Nijigen no Mori apart from conventional theme parks is its focus on interactive experiences that immerse you in your favorite characters’ universes. You’ll encounter life-size sculptures, mazes, and training grounds where you can participate in ninja challenges inspired by Naruto and his friends.
For instance, you can ‘become a scientist’ tasked with controlling Godzilla and preventing the beast from wreaking havoc. This includes a thrilling zip-line ride through Godzilla’s mouth, where you’ll need to ‘dodge’ missiles along the way. If it sounds exciting, just wait until you experience it!
The park also hosts temporary collaborations with popular titles like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, featuring exclusive items, shows, and immersive activities. Be sure to check the park’s website before your visit to see which anime or manga will be featured next.
Nijigen no Mori is divided into several themed zones, each dedicated to a different franchise. Here are some of the highlights:
Naruto & Boruto Shinobi-Zato
The attraction is divided into two main sections: one for Naruto and one for Boruto. With your ticket, you’ll receive two scrolls: Ten-no-Maki (Heaven Scroll) and Chi-no-Maki (Earth Scroll).
Currently, the scrolls and applications are available only in Japanese, but foreign visitors receive instructions in English, simplified and traditional Chinese, and Korean. The exhibits and puzzle questions are also presented in these languages.
Inside the Hokage Rock, you’ll find a three-dimensional maze designed for solving mysteries. Right next to it, there’s another attraction filled with brain teasers to test your wits.
The attraction is divided into two main sections: one for Naruto and one for Boruto. When you purchase a ticket, you receive two scrolls: Ten-no-Maki (Heaven Scroll) and Chi-no-Maki (Earth Scroll).
- Ten-no-Maki: This attraction features a ninja house with physical and intellectual challenges that vary based on the path chosen at the entrance. The exit is marked by the monumental Hokage Rock.
- Chi-no-Maki: This involves solving a series of puzzles to discover the seven chakras, culminating in a room with elaborate animations.
- An augmented reality attraction focusing on Ninjutsu is also available via an app on your phone 📱 where you collect ‘AR’ logos throughout the park. If you stay until closing, you can enjoy video projections throughout the night.
It typically takes between 90 and 180 minutes to complete both the Ten-no-Maki and Chi-no-Maki training. Those opting for the Ninjutsu AR Challenge might need a bit more time. You can complete the missions in any order, but we recommend starting with Ten-no-Maki since it is more physically demanding.
For Chi-no-Maki Gaiden, a separate ticket is required, and it takes about an hour to fully enjoy this mystery-solving attraction.
In addition, there are merchandise shops and a restaurant styled after Ichiraku Ramen from the Naruto series.
Ten-no-Maki (maze)
In this attraction, you experience the world of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
Ten-no-Maki takes you through the same training path as Boruto’s ninja school, with a three-dimensional, three-story maze. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
Your mission is to rescue Naruto, located at the top. To advance, you’ll need to perform mudras—gestures that open doors like a skilled ninja.
Along the way, you’ll need to collect seals to place on your scroll, and at the end, you’ll receive a symbolic prize.
Don’t worry if you get stuck; there’s always the ‘Surrender Exit‘ to help you out! 🙃
Chi-no-Maki (Puzzle solving)
This attraction immerses you in the world of Naruto Shippuden, set during Naruto’s teenage years.
Chi-no-Maki focuses on solving riddles. Your mission is to restore the lost seals, just like a real ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village!
Complete the answers to the questions on your scroll. After solving all seven mysteries, a heartwarming conclusion awaits! ☺️
Naruto fans will be thrilled to meet many of their favourite characters like Sakura Haruno, Uchiha Sasuke, Hatake Kakashi, Yamanaka Ino, Maito Gai, Orochimaru, and the members of Akatsuki. Their life-size statues offer fantastic photo opportunities.
Chi no Maki Gaiden (Bonus Mission)
Inside the park, there’s an additional attraction called Chi-no-Maki Gaiden, which requires a separate ticket.
We won’t spoil too many details, but in short, this mission involves tracking down an undercover agent by solving a series of puzzles.
Visitors receive a mission from Hatake Kakashi himself, and those who complete it get a set of original theme park stickers as a prize.
Augmented Reality Ninjutsu application
With the free mobile app ‘Hokage wo Mezase‘, you can capture augmented reality (AR) photos in the AR Ninjutsu area, making it look like you’re performing authentic ninjutsu!
If you master five ninjutsu, your face will be projected onto the Hokage Rock, which stands 11 meters high.
Strike a pose and take a photo!
We recommend downloading the app beforehand from the official website.
Try Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto’s Favorite!
In the Hidden Village of Konoha, you can’t miss the famous Ichiraku Ramen, beloved by Naruto himself. The restaurant is recreated perfectly, offering the same delicious ramen that Naruto enjoys in the series. Now, you too can savor Naruto’s favourite ramen at Ichiraku.
Choose from three broth varieties: pork bone, pork bone with miso, and soy sauce with pork bone, all priced at 1,100 yen each. The rich broth and character-themed seaweed are sure to captivate your taste buds!
You can also try Sasuke’s favorite onigiri, Akatsuki Cloud’s okonomiyaki, and Orochimaru’s sausage.
Naruto souvenirs
Don’t forget to stop by Konoha Shoten, packed with merchandise featuring beloved characters like Naruto and Sasuke.
You’ll find a wide range of collectibles, from toys to clothing, posters, books, and accessories. It’s the perfect place to find a special souvenir to take home as a fan of the series!
Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park
There are also attractions for younger children, like the Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park, based on the beloved children’s anime, Crayon Shin-chan. This is a family-friendly attraction with physical activities like zip lines and obstacle courses, as well as mental challenges and puzzle-solving.
Enjoy playgrounds with slides, swings, and trampolines inspired by Shin-chan’s house and neighborhood. You can also watch a 3D projection of the adventures of the mischievous boy and his friends.
If you’re familiar with the iconic Shin-chan character, you’ll enjoy finding figures peeking out from the bushes, depicting some of his most famous poses. You can freely touch and photograph them.
There are 54 figures of Shin-chan and his friends in different poses scattered around the park. Use the augmented reality (AR) app to participate in a stamp hunt by scanning their QR codes with your phone.
Some figures are hidden in hard-to-find places, so have fun searching! Find them all and you’ll receive a gift from the Adventure Park shop!
This area is designed for younger audiences but also for those young at heart. The attractions are varied, allowing you to have fun in a group and stay active.
Enjoy thrilling rides gliding over treetops and a lake on zip lines of 225 meters and 140 meters, while being sprayed with water cannons and testing your physical prowess on a fortress-like circuit. This section offers four routes of varying difficulty, suitable for both children and adults, with heights ranging from 1 to 8 meters, depending on the level you choose.
Appare! Sengoku Daiboken!
Appare! Sengoku Daiboken! is a huge obstacle course based on the film of the same name. There are 4 courses of varying difficulty, including some for children.
Each course has an age requirement, and some may require a harness. The easiest children’s course is just one meter off the ground and is open to children from 4 years up to primary school age.
The most challenging ride is the thrilling Taisho Samurai, located 8 meters above the ground (you must be 120 cm or taller). Don’t worry if you get stuck halfway through—the rescue team will save the day!
Other Shin Chan attractions
In addition to the zip lines and fortress course at Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park, there are many other attractions. From specially designed play areas for little ones to challenging rides for adults. When you purchase tickets for the Shin Chan area, you’ll have access to:
- Mononoke Ninja circuit
- Ashigaru circuit
- Samurai circuit
- Challenge! Action Kamen Squadron! (zip line)
- Surprise! Surprise! It’s an interesting horror house!
- Excited! Hide-and-Seek Maze in Futaba Kindergarten
- Full of mysteries in Nijigen no Mori (puzzle-solving)
- Action Kamen Himitsukichi
There are different ticket packages to suit your preferences, each designed to offer access to a specific set of attractions and activities.
Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji
If you’ve ever wanted to face off against Japan’s most iconic movie monster, this attraction is for you.
In October 2020, the world’s largest ‘life-size’ Godzilla statue was unveiled, measuring 23 meters tall, 25 meters wide, and 55 meters long. This colossal figure is part of the Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji attraction, where you take on the role of a scientist helping to control this massive beast. One of the highlights is a thrilling zip-line ride through Godzilla’s mouth.
This attraction lives up to its promise of an immersive experience. The towering Godzilla statue is beautifully crafted and looks even more intimidating after dark, illuminated by just a few spotlights.
The Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji is a mission to disable the giant prehistoric reptile. You will visit four areas to complete the challenge, and at the end of each mission, you will receive a ‘mission completed’ card.
If you manage to complete all of them, you’ll get a… NO SPOILERS. It will be a surprise 😉
Godzilla’s Interception Operations Headquarters
Start your adventure at the Godzilla Interception Operations Headquarters at the National Institution of Godzilla Disaster (NIGOD).
Here, you’ll learn about the history of Godzilla and get a briefing on the interception operation. Subtitles for the videos and exhibits are available in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Korean.
Fly into Godzilla on a Zip Line!
In this fenced area, you’ll be fitted with a harness and helmet before heading to the zip line entrance.
There are two zip lines available:
- Internal Invasion Ride (162 meters): Takes you inside Godzilla’s body through his mouth.
- External Inspection Ride (152 meters): Allows you to observe Godzilla from the outside.
Children must be at least 110 cm tall and weigh more than 25 kg to ride the zip line.
You can choose only one of the two courses. We recommend the Inner Invasion for an added thrill, as you’ll be sprayed with water simulating missiles that you must dodge during the ride.
Feel the adrenaline rush as you fly straight into Godzilla’s mouth!
Shooting platform
On this shooting platform, you’ll have to shoot at cells as they scatter from Godzilla’s body. Each time your beam hits a Godzilla cell, your score increases.
An audible alarm will warn you of an impending cell attack, so be prepared to hide!
If you fail to escape in time, the cells will attack, reducing your score. This attack lasts around 2 minutes and uses loud sounds and intense vibrations.
Godzilla museum
The Godzilla museum is the world’s first permanent exhibition dedicated to Godzilla.
It features a diorama recreation of the Tokyo Station destruction scene from the 2016 film Shin Godzilla, along with costumes and monster models used during filming.
You’ll find over 100 figures, making it a Godzilla fan’s dream come true.
Dragon Quest island
This area is dedicated to the popular role-playing video game Dragon Quest, which has a rich history spanning over 30 years.
Born in Japan in 1986, Dragon Quest has grown steadily along with its fan base.
Here, you can experience an outdoor role-playing adventure (RPG) where you become the protagonist of the story. Explore the world of Dragon Quest through a fusion of real and digital elements, solving mysteries, fighting monsters, and collecting items.
Your journey begins in the Kingdom of Onokogard, where you’ll see giant sculptures of the game’s characters and creatures like the hero, the slime, and the dragon.
Fans will love the detailed reproduction of the cityscape based on the original game world. Talk to the locals, help them collect gold, and buy weapons to increase experience points. Don’t worry if you’ve never played the game before—beginners will also enjoy this Dragon Quest adventure!
The objective is to conquer the Demon Castle. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach this point, so feel free to take breaks or enjoy a snack along the way.
You can also participate in an additional side quest and take the trial to join Robbin ‘Ood’s Merry Men!
How to get to Nijigen no Mori
Nijigen no Mori is a bit off the beaten path for a typical trip to Japan, situated on Awajishima Island, which is connected to Honshu by a bridge.
Getting there from Osaka or Kobe:
- By bus. From Osaka Minatomachi Bus Terminal (JR Namba Station), take the ‘Kakehashi Naruto Osaka Go’ bus operated by West Japan JR bus. The trip takes about 90 minutes and costs around 2,500 yen for a round trip. Buses also connect Nijigen no Mori and Awaji Island with major airports like Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport (Itami), Kobe Airport, as well as JR Osaka and JR Shin-Kobe stations. You can check the bus timetable here.
- By train and ferry. First, take a train to Akashi Station, which is covered by the JR Pass. From there, head to the port and take the Jenova Line ferry to Awaji Island (departures every hour from 5 am to 11 pm). A free shuttle bus from the port will take you to the park entrance, easily recognizable by its decoration with series images like Naruto or Dragon Quest. You can check the ferry timetable at this link.
- By car or taxi. From the Awaji IC Highway Intersection, it’s about a 5-minute drive to the address: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji, Hyogo, 656-2301. Parking options include:
- Parking F (free) near Godzilla and Crayon Shin-chan.
- Car park E (free) near Naruto.
- Parking Lot A (free for the first three hours; daytime rate: ¥500) near Night Walk Hinotori.
The Nijigen no Mori shuttle service stops at parking lots A or F (free shuttle service).
Inside the park, a shuttle service (500 yen daily fee) is available to take you from the car parks to the attraction entrances.
Note: Nijigen no Mori is not fully covered by the JR Pass (it goes only as far as Akashi Station), but you can use the Suica card.
Prices and entrance fees
Admission to Nijigen no Mori is free, but each attraction requires a separate ticket. It’s recommended to purchase tickets online in advance as access may be limited.
| Attraction | Adults | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Quest Island | 3.400-4.500 ¥ | 1.400-1.800 ¥ |
| Naruto & Boruto Shinobi-zato | 3.300 ¥ | 1.200 ¥ |
| Godzilla Interception Operation | 3.800 ¥ | 2.200 ¥ (Ages: 5-11; Height: 120 cm and up; Weight: 25-110 kg) |
| Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park | Master circuit: 5.600 ¥ Accompanying adults: 1.500 ¥ | Master circuit children: 3.900 ¥ (Ages: 5-12; Height: 120 cm and up) Children’s circuit: 2.500 ¥ (Ages: 5-12; Height: 120 cm and below) |
Opening Hours Nijigen no Mori
Opening hours vary by season and public holidays. Generally:
Weekends and Public Holidays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday to Friday: Noon to 9 p.m.
It’s best to check the park’s official website for specific opening times before planning your visit.
Where to stay near Nijigen no Mori
In addition to its anime-themed attractions, Nijigen no Mori is a beautiful park filled with a variety of trees and flowers.
Within the park, you’ll also find restaurants featuring popular characters. Since Nijigen no Mori is located on an island surrounded by nature, it offers unique villa-style accommodations at the Grand Chariot Hokuto Shichisei 135°, with themed rooms inspired by Naruto, Crayon Shin-chan, and Hello Kitty.
If you decide to spend the night on the island to enjoy the park until closing, you have several accommodation options:
- Hotel Grand Chariot. Located within walking distance of the park, this hotel offers all the amenities, including themed rooms such as Naruto or Hello Kitty. However, it tends to be quite pricey.
- Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Higashiura. This is a more affordable option but is located further away from the park.
To fully explore all the themed areas and enjoy all the attractions, we recommend spending the night on the island. A single day might not be enough to experience everything the park has to offer. Staying overnight will allow you to leisurely enjoy all that Nijigen no Mori has to offer.
