Kaigan Street

Kaigan-dori is a seaside street running parallel to the south side of Onomichi Hon-dori shopping street. Stylish restaurants, cafes, and stores line the street.

Mitchan Sohonten Hatchobori

Mitchan Sohonten Hatchobori is the oldest Okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima. The restaurant owner and chef, Mitsuo Ise , has been working for more than 60 years, and he is known as the pioneer of the modern-day sauce for the Hiroshima-fu okonomiyaki and the dough that consists of yakisoba noodles, cabbage and bean sprouts. Of course, […]

Cat’s Narrow Path—neko no hosomichi

Onomichi is also famous for its cats. Onomichi is said to be a cat-friendly place because “residents take good care of their cats,” “many slopes and narrow alleys are safe from cars,” and “it is easy to get fish because it is a fishing port. If you are a cat lover, you should visit the […]

Miyajima Ropeway

Take in the virgin forest up close and the exciting view of the Seto Inland Sea from afar in the ropeway car. The ropeway between Momijidani Station and Kayatani Station is a small ropeway (8-seater cars) with a 1-minute interval, while the ropeway between Kayatani Station and Shishiiwa Station is a large ropeway (30-seater cars) […]

Kouzan-ji museum

Established over 30 years ago, the museum showcases famous Japanese temples and the Yomeimon Gate of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, with recreations of Buddhist architecture.

Omotesando Shopping Street

The main street of Miyajima. About 70 restaurants and souvenir stores line both sides of the 350-meter street, with many stores selling oyster dishes and momiji manju (steamed buns) in particular. Be warned: Most of the stores close around 17:00. Many old traditional houses called kominka remain on Machiya Street, a back street running parallel […]

Hōkoku Shrine(Senjokaku)

A huge temple with a normal tile roofing and an East Asian hip-and-gable roof. The interior is as large as 1,000 tatami mats, hence its other name Senjo-kaku— 1,000 mats palace—but actually there are only 857 tatami mats. It was built in 1587 as a sutra library by order of Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1537-1598), the top […]

Setoda sunset beach

Selected as one of the most beautiful beaches in Japan, from the beach you can see the beautiful sunset over the Seto Inland Sea.

TsutaFuji

TsutaFuji is a small and cozy restaurant with only 11 seats at the counter, but it is popular with a continuous line of customers on holidays. Their chuka-soba soup is made from pork bones and seafood, and is especially rich in flavor from small dried sardines. Toppings include plenty of pork back fat, chashu pork, […]

Onomichi Hon-dori Shopping Street

This arcade shopping street stretches about 1.5 km east of JR Onomichi Station and has a retro feel. Most of the approximately 300 stores are nothing special, but there are more than a few cool general stores, hip cafes, and stores where you can buy and eat Onomichi’s original souvenirs and food.

Wada

Yakatabune: Miyajima Sanpaiyuransen

The other type is a houseboat or yakatabune. It is a night-only cruise that cruises off shore of Itsukushima Shrine. Pass under the fantastic Otorii, which is illuminated by lights, while enjoying a close-up view of the shrine (depending on the tide conditions.) The boat departs from Miyajima No. 3 pier, and the ride is […]

Hondori Shotengai Hondori Shopping Street

Hondori Shotengai is a 600m long arcade-shaped shopping street that lies across from the east to the west with roughly 200 shops and restaurants. It is known as the busiest quarter in the Chugoku and Shikoku region, and it is always lively with roughly 100,000 people visiting everyday.

Reikadō

Here, there is an “eternal flame” that has been burning for more than 1,200 years since it was lit by Kobo Daishi (saint) (774-835) in 806. This fire was also the original flame of the “Peace Light” in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Water boiled in a big teakettle over the “eternal flame” is said to […]

Hakubotan Sake Brewery (Hakubotan Shuzo)

Hakubotan Sake Brewery is a long-established brewery as well, where it is said as the birthplace of sake brewing in Saijo.

Mt. Misen main hall

Mt. Misen main hall was built in 806 on the site where Kobo Daishi practiced asceticism, and is located across from Reikado. Akasagarbha bodhisattva is the principal object of worship. The big temple bell inside the hall was donated by Taira no Munemori (1147-1185), the third son of Taira no Kiyomori, a military commander.

Atomic Bomb Dome

The architecture was originally constructed in 1915 as a promotion hall, Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall Hiroshimaken Sangyo Suishokan, but it almost entirely destroyed due to the explosion of the atomic bomb that took place 600 meters above sea level on August 6th 1945. (※The 30 some employees who were working inside the building at […]

Children’s Peace Monument

The monument was built through charity from all over Japan in 1958 as a cenotaph for Ms. Sadako Sasaki, a girl who passed away at a young age of 12 years old due to leukemia, the after effect of the atomic bomb, and for the children who became victims of the atomic bomb. In the […]

Nagaregawa and Yagenbori

This is the area to go to enjoy the nightlife in Hiroshima. It is the greatest nightlife entertainment district in the Chugoku and Shikoku Region, where more than 3,000 establishments including restaurants, izakayas, bars, dance clubs, and adult-entertainment stores such as cabaret, gay bars, and soap lands are crowded together. Reading the above you might […]

Iwakuni Castle

Iwakuni Castle is located on the summit of a mountain 200m above sea level. From the rooftop observation platform on the top floor, you can see Kintaikyo, the entire Iwakuni City, as well as the various islands located in Seto Inland Sea, and the view is excellent. There is a ropeway from ground floor to […]

Five-storied Pagoda

Built in 1407, this 28-meter-high tower has a cypress bark roof. It is located on a hill on the way to Itsukushima Shrine from the Miyajima Pier, adjacent to Hōkoku Shrine.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

This museum was established in 1955 to pass on the horrors of the atomic bomb to the generations in the future, and the architecture was designed by the worldly famous architect, Kenzo Tange. In the museum are exhibits (videos・photos・models etc.) and belongings left behind by the victims presenting the effects of the atomic bomb visually. […]

Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum

An exhibition of the poison gas factory that was used during the Second World War. It reflects the misery of the war and the wishes for enduring peace in its wake.

Taketsuru Sake Brewery

Taketsuru Sake Brewing is a Japanese liquor and sake brewery. It is the house of the founder of the worldly famous whisky brand, Taketsuru, as well. Here, one can enjoy tasting several sakes.

Kamotsuru Sake Brewery (Kamotsuru Shuzo)

Kamotsuru Sake Brewery is one of the largest sake breweries in this area, where it has received gold prizes in several Japanese sake competitions multiple times. Here, one can experience sake tastings as well.

Ueno

Kuguri Iwa

This tunnel is made of three large boulders and is quite impressive when viewed up close. The rocks are exquisitely balanced, and you may feel a little nervous when passing through, as if they are about to collapse.

Ohta House

Ohta House is a merchant house that used to brew medical alcoholic beverage during Edo Period. There, visitors can view some traditional Japanese architecture.

Lion Rock Observation Deck

The lion rock observation deck is located near the ropeway’s Shishiiwa Station. At 433 meters above sea level, there is no obstruction of view; you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and islands of various sizes, even Shikoku can be seen on a clear day. The view is especially beautiful in […]

Peace Flame

The fire stand was constructed in the year 1964 to console the spirits of the atomic bomb victims, and also with the aim to pray for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Later on, the fire stand was lit by kindling coals collected from all over Japan, still lit today, and the fire will not burn […]