Nijigen no Mori

The ticket exchange area is convenient, and there's a wooden park where little kids can burn off energy, making it suitable for all ages.

Upon boarding, you'll see that seats are reserved, and those with seats will be given priority. A reminder to buy tickets three days in advance, as tickets for Mondays are sold out for Saturdays and cannot be used immediately. I originally wanted to buy the Oshiri ticket package, but exchanging it at Umeda Station was difficult, according to everyone. So, this option provides a QR code voucher, which is scanned upon boarding, and you just need to show it to the driver upon exiting; no need to go out to Umeda to find your way. Boarding at Namba Station is very convenient, and the location is easy to find. The only issue is that all restaurants near Awaji Island Park (the boarding location) were closed that day. I had finished exploring and was walking around 3:40 PM, planning to grab a bite to eat before boarding. However, due to the temporary closures, there were no restaurants nearby, and I didn't have enough time to return to the park. I was incredibly frustrated and had to wait an hour for the 4:43 PM train. Since the ticket time is fixed from the start, it cannot be changed. If you plan to eat at the station before returning, I suggest checking if the park is open before rushing in.

The game is simple, has a Chinese language option, and is suitable for people of all ages even if they don't understand Japanese. However, be aware that public transportation is very infrequent. I used the Kansai Wide Pass this time, taking the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Nishi-Akashi, then transferring to a bus at Maiko Station (where there are more frequent buses). The return trip was the same, short and not crowded. This might be a good option if you're not planning a road trip. I went on a weekday, and it wasn't crowded, with no waiting at any checkpoints. Plus, the weather was around 15-16 degrees Celsius, very comfortable! But it will likely be more crowded and strenuous in the summer and on weekends.

Although I only visited the Anime Forest with my son to see the wishing area, exchanging tickets and taking the shuttle bus was very convenient. However, I still don't know exactly where the shuttle bus is 🤣 The location of the shuttle bus might be better marked more clearly. The park is full of Naruto-themed items, and even I, who only knows Naruto Uzumaki, found it fun and memorable. I recommend everyone to visit.