If you're planning a trip to Kansai in November, come and join the Undokai World Cup! Undokai World Cup is an annual Japanese sports tournament held in Awaji Island. It is just 90 minutes from Osaka or a short bus ride across the bridge from Kobe. The tournament sees over 50,000 participants from all around the world. With over 19 different types of contests, there is something for everyone to enjoy such as three-legged races, foot darts, bubble soccer, and traditional badminton. This is a great opportunity to get a group together and compete, or simply come and take a break from the city, enjoy some Japanese food and kick back in the midst of nature. Whatever you choose to come for, the experience of battling through crowds for a yearly supply of local Awaji beef and Awaji onion, in true Japanese spirit, will not be one to forget.
About Awaji Island
Awaji Island has a lot of things to see and do. It is most famously known as the mythological birthplace of Japan and boasts Japan’s oldest shrine, Izanagi Shrine, which holds performances about its myth on the 23rd of each month. Try out Awaji burgers, see the Uzushio whirlpools (ever wonder what the Naruto headband was a reference to?), go to the monkey park or head along the coastline to see sweeping views of the sunset. Finish the day with a trip to one of the local onsen such as View Matsuho No Sato Onsen, overlooking the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge (the world’s longest suspension bridge). Some other attractions that you won’t want to miss are the recently opened Hello Kitty Smile and 2D Forest adventure park, Nijigen No Mori, which offers an anime park, hang-gliding, climbing obstacle course by day and a superb light-mapping Night Walk attraction by night. Looking for some Insta-worthy spots? Stop by Nojima Scuola or Craft Circus for Awaji souvenirs, ocean views and a bite to eat.
