Welcome to Awaji Shima, or watch the island and local prefecture.

This behind us is the Akashi Keiko Ohashi, the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Kobe City is on the other side of the sea, just about 20 minute drive.

But we're hearing a lot of Yashima because over the last couple of decades, the population and the economy has been going down.

In fact, it's been like that all over Japan, especially when this bridge was built in 1998.

It made it really easy for locals to go across to the other side.

Ah, lot of them staying.

But over the last couple of years, this area has been undergoing a regional revitalisation, and it's been doing it in a pretty creative way.

Using Japanese pop culture.

Japanese characters like Hello, Kitty and join me in this report is can I?

And for the next 24 hours, you're gonna be investigating if this regional revitalisation is working.

Crossing the world's longest suspension bridge is the usual way to get there from Osaka are cold.

You're basically leaving the urban area behind for rice paddies and farm fields.

When you get to the other side.

The Kansai region is one of the most diverse in Japan.

In the sea between Kyoto, Osaka and Himeji is Awaji Shima, part of local prefecture, as is Kobe City.

The island is a place a lot of people have been driving, too, to get from home Shoe, Japan's main island tushie Coco, another island.

We're going to focus on the north part of the island, where all those solar panels are.

Down.

In the middle is a T shirt shaped patch, which is something else today.

This is our first stop driving, and we could see a lot of younger people hanging out around the building.

A short drive up brings us to one of the island's newest attractions.

Hello, Kitty Show Box.

This really is a unique building, quite stunning in the middle of a farm field here.

But it's when you go on into the air that you really start to see.

Things take shape.

It's one of those on Lee in Japan, moments when you see the natural world mixed with pop culture.

One of Japan's most famous ambassadors greets everyone from all directions.

Honestly, did anyone expect to see Kitty John hanging out in the middle of a farm field.

The contrast is so striking and you can see the community really challenging itself to attract more visitors.

People who normally drive by on the way to somewhere else or tour buses of visitors who want to experience both the non touristy countryside with, well, a theme park.

It may be what a lot of hello Kitty fans are looking for.

Let's have a look inside.

It's not too big, basically a building for dining and entertainment.

A stop for a couple of hours to enjoy both.

It sure seems classy, but how is the food?

It's 100% vegan.

Some of it looks like it could be meat, but it's not like this tofu meatball or this fish looking item.

It came in beautiful lacquerware, and visitors eat it while watching a show on the massive screen or live performances.

But why, Hello, kitty and why Awaji Island?

Is this the answer to revitalizing the country sign?

I talked with one of the managers in charge of helping with the regional revitalisation program here.

The hotel we stayed in had hello kitty themed rooms.

It seemed out of place, but maybe it isn't.

It sure would seem fun to stay in one.

Okay.

You are.

I mean, like I grew hair must take.

I hear about the communication.

If I could Do you know, missus So they all got that t j could you can show me How do I know?

Our fisherman chief also said Storm Otto at a medicated or Kikuko Kikuko steak coming all china today.

Roger that.

How does your mom crew Marga NATO each taking for your area?

Who can know?

In Kanto Gravity move She said that particular tradition.

So you're a mom that she can all saying we're human yet?

Tim, you people today How's your mom?

One of the first revitalisation projects here was transforming an old school into a restaurant with shops rather than building new shopping malls, they're making a unique experience without changing much of the landscape, utilizing what they have.

Pop culture is at the heart of the plan.

Famous Shonen Jump manga characters Naruto and Baruto have a theme park here as well as crayon.

Shin John Way drove to another hello kitty attraction not too far from the last one along the sea sign this'll one is called Hello, Kitty Smile.

You can see it down there.

And white, Big White.

Hello, Kitty Head is hard to miss.

Let's ask, can I?

Her thoughts on these Awaji Shima attractions.

This building really makes me curious to stop and see and probably spend more time on Allah Teshima.

I think it's farm in a little weird here in the middle of nowhere, but I like it.

They do seem out of place, but that's really what makes them both unique and fun and very only injured hand.

It's a cafe restaurant with a store that's more like a museum.

Hello, kitty Bling and Social Media Photo Snappers will love what they have on offer here, can I?

And I really enjoyed the beautiful views of the sea.

But is this enough to get you to stop to visit Awaji Island?

And is this a recipe for revitalizing the countryside?

Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure.

Awaji Island is really trying their best to challenge themselves and revitalize a beautiful, out of the way island between some of Japan's most visited cities.

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Go and check out location photos on Instagram.