Explore Hiroshima’s Hidden Gems! Onomichi, Miyajima, and More

Top Hiroshima Destinations In and Out of the City

Itsukushima Shrine. Photo by Pixta

Hiroshima, home to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, to the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate, as well as to the sizzling noodle-based okonomiyaki is often on the must-visit list of many international travelers to Japan.

However, so much more lies beyond Hiroshima's famous sites that will result in a more profound, comprehensive overview of this region.

In this article, we introduce exciting places to explore and fun things to do in six different cities and districts of Hiroshima Prefecture. These include Hiroshima City itself, Miyajima Island, Fukuyama, the second largest city and home to an impressive castle, Onomichi, famous for its scenic views of the Seto Inland Sea, Takehara, with its historic townscapes, and other wonderful destinations that can be easily accessed from Hiroshima City.

Must-Visit Hiroshima Destinations

1. Hiroshima City: The Peace Memorial Park and New Establishments
2. Onomichi: Hiroshima's Historic Port Gateway
3. Fukuyama: A Magnificent Castle and Scenic Views of the Seto Inland Sea
4. Takehara: Visit the Historic Sake and Salt Townscapes of Hiroshima
5. Akiota: Experience Countryside Life in Hiroshima
6. Miyajima Island: Hiroshima's Island of Shrines and Temples

1. Hiroshima: The Peace Memorial Park and New Establishments

Hiroshima City is constantly changing and growing. New exciting facilities have recently opened in the city; these are definitely worth a visit in order to grasp Hiroshima’s stylish contemporary culture that is rooted in authentic Japanese traditions. To make the most of your visit, here are some things you shouldn't miss while in Hiroshima City, from standard destinations to new establishments:

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

A split second was all it took for the first atomic bomb to demolish the thriving city of Hiroshima. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park now stands in place of what was once the heart of Hiroshima's economic center, memorializing the victims who lost their lives after the atomic bomb was dropped.

There are several facilities and monuments within the park but at the heart of it stands the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. About a five-minute walk is the Atomic Bomb Dome, the only standing structure near the hypocenter and currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its own. We suggest spending a few hours exploring this park and meditating on its message of peace.

HIROSHIMA ORIZURU TOWER: A Positive Outlook on Hiroshima's History

Picture courtesy of HIROSHIMA ORIZURU TOWER
View Hiroshima city's history through a positive lens at HIROSHIMA ORIZURU TOWER! Visitors can see how far modern-day Hiroshima has come from the HIROSHIMA HILLS observation floor, with views of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island in the distance.

ROOF TOP BAR serves signature cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks to accompany your nighttime views.

The 12th-floor ORIZURU SQUARE is an interactive space where visitors can fold paper cranes and throw them down the ORIZURU WALL, a twelve-story plexiglass enclosure along the building exterior. You can also fold a giant crane using the interactive screen and watch the digital renderings of the city from 1945 to today.

When you're ready to head down, take the spiraling slide down to the first floor, or take the wheelchair-friendly ramps past murals on each floor wall painted by Hiroshima artists.

Mt. Futaba: A Morning Hike Up a Sacred Mountain

Picture courtesy of My Japan
Start your morning with an invigorating hike up to the sacred mountain of Mt. Futaba. This hiking tour starts from Hiroshima Station, led by your Asageshiki tour guide up to Futaba's "power spots," such as the Hiroshima Toshogu gate and an Inari shrine.

As your reward for reaching the summit, your tour guide performs an outdoor Japanese tea ceremony, where you can quietly sip matcha tea as the morning sun peaks over the city views. Hikers can add sustenance with a preordered breakfast bento box of local Hiroshima ingredients, including vegetarian and vegan options. With the clean forest air and breakfast for fuel, this tour is an excellent way to enjoy nature in Hiroshima.

Naka Waste Incineration Plant: Inspiring Architecture and Views of the Seto Inland Sea

Yoshio Taniguchi, the architect responsible for the MoMA in New York City, reimagined the Naka Waste Incineration Plant (Japanese) as a lofty, light-infused steel and glass structure. Inside, towering waste processing funnels stand behind two-story-tall glass walls with natural light filtering in from the Seto Inland Sea-faced windows.

With free entry, this is a perfect place to spend the morning walking through another of Hiroshima's inspiring contemporary architecture.

Hilton Hiroshima: The Ultimate Hotel Experience Inspired by Hiroshima Culture

Hilton Hiroshima is a convenient base that can be easily reached by car in about 4 minutes from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and about 8 minutes from Hiroshima Castle. The facility is located in the vicinity of Hiroshima's entertainment and restaurant district.

This Hilton hotel, which opened in August 2022, carries Hiroshima motifs throughout its interior, such as the carpets imitating the Seto Inland Sea waves and the red-and-blue swimming pool inspired by Miyajima's red floating torii gate.

Get pampered at the L'Occitane spa or watch how the cityscape transforms into a glittering nightscape from the Skyline Terrace after a day of exploring the city.

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2. Onomichi: Hiroshima's Historic Port Gateway

The seaport town of Onomichi is a popular day-trip destination from Hiroshima City, just an hour's train ride away. The narrow alleyways weaving up Mt. Senkoji have a collection of beautifully preserved shrines and temples that survived air raids of WWII, accompanied by scenes of the Seto Inland Sea along the way.

Onomichi is also where cyclists start their island-hopping trip over the Shimanami Kaido, a road of about 70 kilometers along some of Japan's largest cable-stayed suspension bridges to Shikoku.

Getting to Onomichi from Hiroshima is made even more enjoyable with the etSETOra sightseeing train. This train takes you along the scenic Seto Inland Sea coastlines, which you'll enjoy while sampling snacks and sipping locally-brewed sakes from the train bar.

Train riders can also reserve a dessert box made by Hiroshima confectionery and pastry chefs for a flavorful journey along the Seto Inland Sea. *Reservation is required up to four days before boarding.

Here are some of the places you should check out during your visit to Onomichi:

Senkoji Observatory PEAK

The Senkoji Observatory PEAK, accessible on foot or with the Mt. Senkoji Ropeway, is the best way to survey Onomichi, which flourished as a port town for many centuries and is now famous for its world heritage sites and Setoda, a splendid island. The spiral staircase of Senkoji Observatory PEAK stands on the summit of the 144-meter Mt. Senkoji, where you can admire astonishing views of Onomichi and the Seto Inland Sea.

From here, follow the Path of Literature trail lined with poem-engraved stones down to the cliff-hugging Senkoji Temple. After paying your respects, continue past charming alleyways, past the friendly neighborhood cats, and down to the 2-kilometer Onomichi shotengai shopping arcade to browse its charming shops and fashionable boutiques.

Azumi Setoda: An Island Resort Inn Giving New Life to a 140-Year-Old Residence

Azumi Setoda is a resort inn where you'll find exquisite Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary design. Located on Onomichi's Ikuchi Island, this stylishly renovated resort once belonged to the Horiuchi family, a prominent shipping and salt-farming family that was active between the 17th and 19th centuries.

Each room in the main two-story guesthouse is built around a garden courtyard and provided with private cypress baths.

Across the resort is Yubune, the island's community bathhouse, where guests can admire island-inspired tiled mural art while enjoying their bath. For dinner, guests get to dine on impeccably prepared meals served on dishware owned by the Horiuchi family, with every effort to source local produce and ingredients within a 50-km radius.

Hiroshima Prefecture is the top producer of lemons in Japan and Ikuchi Island is one of its most famous lemon cultivation areas. Explore the island by cycling through the lemon groves or walking through the Shiomachi Shopping Street before returning to the quiet, comfortable serenity that only a discreet retreat like Azumi Setoda can provide.

Hotel Beacon Onomichi: Where to Stay in Onomichi Port

Closer to Onomichi Station is the centrally located Hotel Beacon Onomichi. This stylish hotel is built with the modern-day traveler, remote worker, and cyclist in mind.

The facility is provided with six types of rooms with an original concept, a workation lounge, sauna and private bathing facilities, and an in-house restaurant and bar focusing on Setouchi seafood dishes.

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3. Fukuyama: A Magnificent Castle and Scenic Views of the Seto Inland Sea

Fukuyama is Hiroshima's second most populous city and famous for its iron-plated Fukuyama Castle, which boasts a 400-year history, the nostalgia-steeped fishing village of Tomonoura, and for its production of koto, a traditional Japanese harp instrument. Here are some of the highlights of Fukuyama you should check out:

Fukuyama Castle: Visit Japan's Only Iron-Plated Castle!

The most distinctive feature of the white five-tiered Fukuyama Castle is its black iron-plated face on its north side. One of the popular theories for this distinction was that the northern wall didn't have a moat and was, therefore, weaker to attack and fire.

Mizuno Katsunari, the first daimyo of the Fukuyama domain, originally built Fukuyama Castle in 1622 before the main structures were dismantled during the Meiji era (1868-1912). Nearly 20 years after WWII destroyed the remaining ruins, the new Fukuyama castle replica was built in 1966 thanks to the great wishes and efforts of many citizens.

Visitors can also learn about the castle's history through the museum's interactive displays, where visitors can sit on model horses as digital screens of feudal Fukuyama flash by. In addition, the castle's aerial views from the top floor have views of the city, which is especially beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom on the castle grounds.

Tomonoura Bay: Wonderful Views of the Seto Inland Sea

Tomonoura Bay may be the famous inspiration behind Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff, but there's much more to explore beyond its animated movie appearance.

This picturesque fishing port was once home to an ironworks industry that made ships anchors and tools. Today, much of its original port-town charm remains within the old town center, with repurposed salt-stained boards from old ships used on building exteriors.

Tomonoura Bay is also a maker of homeishu, a multi-herb liquor used to alleviate ailments since the mid-1600s.

Finally, pay a visit to Fukuzenji Temple and the Taichoro Pavilion, which offer one of the best panoramic views of the bay as boats ferry across the channel.

Two Excellent Hotels in Fukuyama

Extend your day trip to an overnight stay at Fukuyama New Castle Hotel or Tomonoura's Hotel Ofutei.

As its name suggests, the Fukuyama New Castle Hotel is located across from Fukuyama Station, with western-style rooms and French and Chinese-inspired cuisine, a day spa, and the castle within a 10-minute walk.

Visitors can also stay close to the charms of Tomonoura Bay at Hotel Ofutei. The hotel faces the sea, taking advantage of its views from the Japanese-style rooms and the hotel hot springs. The meals are all Setouchi-inspired multi-course kaiseki menus featuring local specialties such as sea bream dishes and sashimi.

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4. Takehara: Visit the Historic Sake and Salt Townscapes of Hiroshima

For a walkable historical immersion, head to Takehara's beautifully-preserved townscape just 80 minutes away from Hiroshima Station.

You'll immediately feel the tug of history as you walk along the Takehara Preservation District of Important Historical Buildings, a part of the city that flourished for over 350 years as a wealthy salt and sake-making district.

Make one of Takehara's bamboo windmills at Machinami bamboo workshop for a hand-made souvenir.

Then, if you'd like to enjoy a local specialty, head to Fujii Brewery, one of the original sake breweries from the late Edo period, and try their first-place winning sake, Ryusei, at the 2007 International Wine Challenge - Sake Division.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Takehara Saltworks Town: A Historic District Given a New Life as a Hotel!

Continue your Takehara historical journey with an overnight stay at the NIPPONIA HOTEL Takehara Saltworks Town. This decentralized boutique hotel transforms an old bank, Edo period breweries and folk houses into history and luxury-rich accommodations. Each room retains the structure's integrity with exposed ceiling beams, NIPPONIA's signature handcrafted cypress bathtubs, and modern details that seamlessly blend into the original building.

Your historical journey continues at LE UN restaurant, featuring intricately prepared dishes that highlight Setouchi's local ingredients of seafood and citrus. Add local sake to wash it down, and you have all of Takehara's historical flavor profiles beautifully brought together in one fine dining experience.

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5. Akiota: Experience Countryside Life in Hiroshima

Add some rural inspiration to your Hiroshima trip in Akiota, about a 90-minute bus ride from Hiroshima Station. Sports enthusiasts head to Akiota for its skiing, snowboarding, and hiking activities on Hiroshima's highest mountain, Mt. Osorakan.

Cultural arts fans also visit to watch kagura, a traditional performing art passed down from generation to generation within this beautiful mountainside region. For those looking for a hands-on cultural and artistic experience, here are some things you can try in Akiota:

Make Japanese Pressed Sushi with Locals

One of the popular dishes served in the Akiota district on festival days and celebrations is pressed sushi. First, vinegar rice is pressed into a wooden mold, then layered with seasoned vegetables, mackerel, and egg. Finally, the sushi is gently pressed into a square shape, and it's ready to serve!

Try a Japanese Wood Carving Workshop

Yokohata Kogei (Japanese) is a traditional workshop introducing Togochi Kurimono, a woodcarving technique of carving out a hollow from a single block of wood to create various household items.

Under the tutelage of Yokohata Kogei, you'll get insight into this ancient craft and hands-on instruction on carving a "floating ladle" using curved hand planes customized by Yokohata himself.

During the late Edo period, artisans from Miyajima, realizing the abundance of wood suitable for Kurimono in these mountains, brought their craft to Akiota, carried on by Yokohata's 70 years of experience, and onto you for your short moment in this unique crafting experience.

Book your woodworking or sushi-making experience from the Akiotakara website.

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6. Miyajima: Hiroshima's Island of Shrines and Temples

Roughly an hour away by train and ferry from Hiroshima Station is arguably one of Japan's most famous icons: Itsukushima Shrine and its emblematic floating torii gate.

While many visitors to Itsukushima Island (also known as Miyajima) make these UNESCO World Heritage Sites their top priority, we suggest not limiting yourself to just these two; there's plenty more to see on this sacred island to extend your visit beyond a day trip:

Itsukushima Shrine and the Sacred Great Torii

Itsukushima Shrine's floating great torii and vermillion shrine are the first things you'll see as you take the short 10-minute ferry to Miyajima. The recently renovated great torii was under scaffolding for over three years until December 2022 but now visitors can admire its beauty without obstructions.

The ferry terminal shows the low and high tide schedules. However, the high tide is perhaps the most picturesque time to visit, especially during sunset when the crowds dissipate, with the great torii and shrine illuminated at night until 23:00. Afterward, make your way across the vermillion structures of Itsukushima Shrine, connected by boardwalks over pillars suspended over the water at high tide.

Other Great Places to Visit on Miyajima Island

Picture courtesy of Made in Miyajima
Daishoin Temple is one of the island's prominent temples, with a splendid lantern-lit Henjokutsu Cave underneath the main hall. It's also the starting point for the two-hour Daisho-in hiking trail to the Mt. Misen summit, with one of the best views of the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima. We also recommend leisurely enjoying a cup of matcha tea at Rokkaku Sabo, the cafe located within Daishoin.

You can also take the Miyajima Ropeway to the top station, where you can take a 30-minute hike to the summit for its mesmerizing sea views at the top.

Photo by Pixta

The Five-Story Pagoda and the Senjokaku Hall are in a quiet spot on the hill behind Itsukushima Shrine, where you can reflect on the island's religious sites. At the same time, the Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Arcade near the ferry port is packed with souvenir shops, oyster bars, and cafes, where you can try momiji manju, the famous maple-leaf-shaped red-bean desserts, while you wait for the ferry.

Enjoy Trips Around Hiroshima!

While a visit to Hiroshima City's famous sites is a must, it would be only a fraction of Hiroshima's culturally and historically rich destinations that would undoubtedly leave you with a more profound and memorable trip.

Combine any of our suggested destinations to make a day trip from the city, or turn it into a multi-day Hiroshima travel itinerary to experience the full range of this region's charming cultural, spiritual, and historical destinations.

Text and photos by Mika Senda
Sponsored by Setouchi DMO and Hiroshima Tourist Association
Main image by Pixta