You can travel by boat from Akashi to Iwaya (Awaji Island).
From Iwaya, you can get around using free or paid buses, taxis, and other means of transport.
Jenova line ticket machine
It is 700 yen for an adult one-way ticket.
It is July now.
It is hot even in the morning.
The waiting area here is air-conditioned and comfortable.
The boat trip takes about 13 minutes one way.
You will pass beneath the famous Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, offering a view that is truly impressive.
We have arrived at Iwaya Port. From here, we will take a free shuttle bus to Parking Lot F.
Map of Iwaya port
It looks like you need to check the shuttle bus timetable and tell the driver where you want to get off. It would probably be best to speak some Japanese.
Arrived at Nijigen no Mori.
Free Shuttle Bus “F parking”
Nijigen no Mori opens at 10:00 AM.
Nijigen no mori park
I’m heading down from the bus stop. The temperature must already be over 30 degrees; it is incredibly hot.
Dragon Quest goods shop
This is a shop that sells Dragon Quest merchandise. I had planned to stop by on my way back, but it turned out to be completely impossible.
Restaurant
There was a restaurant, café, and souvenir shop called “Luida’s Bar.”
message wall
Dragon Quest Island
This is the entrance to Dragon Quest Island. The standard admission fee is 3,400 yen, though you can get a 10% discount by bringing a flyer.
At the ticket counter, you receive an explanation of the facility and are given the necessary electronic tag.
Just like in the game, the experience involves accepting quests from the King and completing them.
Since it is an outdoor attraction, it gets incredibly hot; I do not recommend visiting in the summer.
View from the roof
A Small Town
The quest involved gathering materials to forge a sword.
The specific tasks appear to vary depending on the season and the amount paid.
You collect items by locating treasure chests, jars, or boxes within the town and scanning them with an electronic tag; a pleasant sound indicates a correct find, while a buzzer sounds for incorrect ones.
Search inside the building.
It feels like I’ve stepped inside a game.
Search, search, search!
The heat made it impossible to search calmly.
While the staff would have offered hints if I had asked, I ran out of time.
I recommend visiting this place during a cooler season and when you have plenty of time.
Goodbye Godzilla
If you take the 11:40 AM bus, you can get to Sannomiya.
Now I leave here, bye bye Godzilla!!
A nice dinner at Portopia Hotel
I’m glad I didn’t get heatstroke. I took a shower and slept for a while.
Portopia Hotel
menu
menu
Open kitchen
I had actually wanted to visit the Alain Chapel restaurant.
However, this establishment serves modern French cuisine and is run by a protégé of Alain Chapel.
I hadn’t fully checked the atmosphere beforehand, but the restaurant turned out to be more modern and bright than I had expected.
It features an open kitchen where Chef Takahashi—a woman—demonstrates her culinary skills.
Amuse-bouche
Chilled Corn Soup
Breads
Special Terrine
Smoked conger eel
Australian T-bone steak
Special pudding—it’s thin.
Coffee
The Portopia Hotel might just be a place one passes by, but inside, it felt like a completely different world.
They offer such high-quality French cuisine at remarkably low prices.
I truly hope they continue to provide such honest, excellent French dining for a long time to come.
Unfortunately, due to tour groups from China, the top floor has been converted into an all-you-can-eat venue and a Chinese restaurant.
Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.