Summary
This time, we will take a day trip to the Seto Inland Sea to visit islands with rich individuality and tourist attractions aboard the SEA SPICA, a sightseeing high-speed cruiser, and a sightseeing cab.
The view of the Seto Inland Sea from the cruise ship was spectacular and we were able to fully enjoy the whole day.
Please refer to this page when you visit Hiroshima or Mihara!
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Travel Itinerary
Hiroshima Station（広島駅）
This trip starts at Hiroshima Station. We will take a bus to the Port of Hiroshima!
You can also take a tram instead of a bus.
Boarding station No. 6
It takes about 30 minutes to Hiroshima Port
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Hiroshima Station, located in Matsubara-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a station of West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and a terminal station where all trains of the Sanyo Shinkansen stop. Many people use the station as the gateway to Hiroshima for sightseeing and business.
07:20am Hiroshima Port（広島港）
When you arrive at the Port of Hiroshima, head toward the Ujina Port Building to register for the cruise ship.
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Hiroshima Port is located on the Ujina Coast in Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. As the sea gateway to Hiroshima, it serves as a hub for many travelers, commuters, and students.
08:30am Setouchi Shimatabi Line (Hiroshima Port) – 瀬戸内しまたびライン（広島港）
The boat trip started aboard SEA SPICA, with its cool blue and white exterior!
There are two courses, eastbound and westbound, and we will board the eastbound course from Hiroshima Port to Mihara Port.
inboard
All seats have tables.
Inboard 2
Terrace seating on the second floor
You can enjoy the boat trip while the sea breeze blows.
And the other side.
Aft seating is most recommended✨
Shimabitabi Line
Operation Course
seat
AC power outlets available.
Lovely lamps on board.
You can take a commemorative photo as a sailor.
Lunch boxes are available on board with advance reservations.
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Setouchi Shimababi Line (Hiroshima Port), located in Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, is a boat trip blue the islands of the Seto Inland Sea on the SEA SPICA, a sightseeing high-speed cruiser. The ship offers both eastward and westward courses, and can be enjoyed as a day trip. Visitors highly appreciate the enjoyment of the boat trip.
Kure Port
We arrived at Kure Port by cruise ship.
It is also possible to board the ship from here (in fact, several people did so from here).
The ship runs right next to the cruise ship.
Visiting Kure Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels
Kure Maritime Self-Defense Force
Kure Port
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Kure Port is a port located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, roughly in the center of the Seto Inland Sea. Cruise ships are available, and it is possible to embark from Kure Port.
Ondo no Seto（音戸の瀬戸）
After enjoying Kure’s battleships, there was soon another highlight.
This is Ondo no Seto with the bright red Ohashi Bridge.
Legend has it that this area was opened by Taira no Kiyomori.
great physical power
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Ondo no Seto is a strait between Honshu and Kurahashi Island in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is also a scenic spot with a bright red Ohashi Bridge and a legend that Taira no Kiyomori cut through it in a single day.
Akinada Bridge（安芸灘大橋）
Next Highlights.
The stylish and cool looking Akinada Bridge comes into view!
You can also go under this bridge by cruise ship.
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The Akinada Bridge, located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is the largest suspension bridge over a prefectural road. Cars and motorcycles are charged, but bicycles and pedestrians can pass through free of charge. It has a stylish and cool appearance, and cruise ships can be seen passing underneath.
10:00am ShimoKamagari Island（下蒲刈島）
The first anchorage is Shimokamagari Island.
There is less than an hour of anchorage time, so disembark and enjoy the sights.
Octopus kamaboko (Fish paste)
At the port, locals were offering tastings of octopus kamaboko.
on the island
The roads on the island were well maintained with cobblestones and the sea breeze was pleasant.
Local Ingredients
Other local delicacies and vegetables were also available for sale.
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ShimoKamagari Island, located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a small island with a population of about 1,400 people. It is known as the first island on the Tobishima Kaido, and the island is dotted with historical facilities and towns. The island’s nature and scenery are also beautiful, and activities such as walking and cycling can be enjoyed.
Sannose Gohonjin Art & Culture Museum（三之瀬御本陣芸術文化館）
This cultural museum exhibits works by Kunitaro Suda, a leading figure in the Independent Art Association, as well as works by artists of Japanese art from the 1920s.
On the day I visited, there was an exhibition entitled “Kunitaro Suda in Spain”.
Exterior
Entrance
prefectural historic site
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The Sannose Gohonjin Art & Culture Museum, located in Shimokamagari-cho, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, exhibits works by Kunitaro Suda and other artists of Japanese art. The building is also a restored exterior of the historic Honjin.
Rantokaku Art Museum（蘭島閣美術館）
Next, we came to an art museum that exhibits works representing modern Japanese paintings and works by artists associated with the hometown.
In addition to the paintings, the museum is also displaying the artist’s favorite paintbrushes, palettes, and other valuable items.
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Located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Rantokaku Art Museum exhibits works that represent modern Japanese painting as well as works by artists associated with the local area. In addition to the paintings on display, visitors can also see the artist’s favorite paintbrushes, palettes, and other valuable items. The facility can be enjoyed by visitors from infants to high school students, and adults can also enjoy themselves along with the children. There is also a parking lot, which can be used even on rainy days, and a store where visitors can buy souvenirs.
Shirayukiro（白雪楼）
At the top of the stairs next to the museum, you will find Shirayukiro.
Stairs next to the museum
Entrance
admission fee
garden
Entrance to Tea Room
brief recess
Tea and sweets are available in the Japanese-style room on the first floor.
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Shirayukiro, located in Minose, ShimoKamagari-cho, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a tourist attraction designated as a tangible cultural property by Kure City. The example of a Japanese-style room with movable walls on the first floor is a rare building with very few remaining today. Admission is 400 yen for adults.
Shotoen（松濤園）
Next stop is Shotoen, the island’s main tourist attraction, where you can walk through a circular garden and enjoy four historical museums.
Materials registered as a World Heritage Site are also on display!
Exterior
Map
Tojikikan（陶磁器館）
Commemorative Museum of Korean Missions
Here, you will find the “lustrated Scroll of the Korean Diplomatic Mission Procession]”, registered in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World”!
garden
Walk along the side of the Ichiban building.
Akari no yakata（あかりの館）
The building is a merchant’s house moved from Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
garden
Through the gardens to the last building.
Gamagari-jima Gobanjo（蒲刈島御番所）
garden
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Shotoen, located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is an institution with four archives. Each building is made of Japanese houses that have been relocated and restored from various parts of Japan. The museum also exhibits materials registered as a UNESCO Memory of Japan Heritage site, making it a must-see for history buffs.
Chigiri shima（契島）
We will be back on the boat until our next destination. Lunch was pre-booked and served on the ship.
Passing through Chigiri shima, also known as “Gunkanjima in Setouchi” or “Living Gunkanjima”.
This is an island of lead factories that operate 24 hours a day and make 40% of Japan’s lead!
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Chigiri shima is a small island located in Higashino, Osakikamijima-cho, Toyota-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture. The island is known as a lead factory island in the Seto Inland Sea, and is also called a “Living Gunkanjima.” It operates 24 hours a day, making 40% of Japan’s lead.
12:00pm Ohkunoshima island（大久野島）
Arrive at Ohkunoshima island, the second island where the ship docks.
It is said that 900 rabbits live on this rabbit island.
There were many rabbits on the island and their cute faces were soothing…
Map
I can’t find it looking around …
Found!
I could see them at close range.
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Ohkunoshima island, located in Tadanomi-cho, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a small uninhabited island famous for its rabbits. Approximately 900 wild rabbits inhabit the island, which is fun for both children and adults. Many tourists, both domestic and international, visit the island in search of healing.
2:00pm Mihara Station（三原駅）
Arriving at Mihara Port, we walked a short distance to Mihara Station.
From here, we will take a sightseeing cab for a two-hour tour of Mt. Ryuo and Mt. Fudekage.
Exterior
The fountain is located in Mihara, the city of octopus.
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Mihara Station is a station of West Japan Railway Company (JR West) located in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Visitors can board the etSETOra sightseeing train, which provides convenient access to Mihara Port and Ohkunoshima Island. Word of mouth has it that you can take a sightseeing cab to explore Mihara.
Mt. Fudekage（筆影山）
First, we went to Mt. Fudekage, named after the shape of the mountain, which looks like a brush when reflected in the sea.
In spring, many cherry trees are said to bloom.
signboard
The view looks like this
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Mt. Fudekage is a 311-meter-high mountain located in Sunami-cho, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is named for its brush-like shape when reflected in the sea, and in spring it is said to be full of cherry blossoms. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and cherry blossoms, and the cherry blossoms are illuminated at night.
Mt. Ryuo（竜王山）
Mt. Ryuo next to Mt. Fudekage.
Here, you can enjoy a view of the Seto Inland Sea from a slightly different angle than the view from Mt. Fudekage.
signpost
viewing platform
And a free telescope.
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Mt. Ryuo is a 445-meter-high mountain located in Okiura-cho, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is located in the Setonaikai National Park area, about 3 km up the mountain from Mt. Fudekage. The view from the top of the mountain is so spectacular that it has been featured in TV commercials.
Sunami Beach Park（すなみ海浜公園）
Barrier-free seaside park about 20 minutes by car from the center of Mihara City.
It is a popular beach in summer!
If you go out of season, there are fewer people, so you can relax and be soothed by the sound of the waves.
Three parking lots and two beaches.
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Sunami Seaside Park, located in Mihara City, is a seaside park with an excellent location from which to view the Seto Inland Sea and the beauty of the many islands. The park is popular as a swimming beach in summer, and also has a swimming pool and restaurants. The park is also barrier-free, with slopes leading to the sandy beach, making it a spot that can be enjoyed by everyone from the physically challenged to children.
4:20pm Mihara Castle Remnants（三原城 本丸跡）
Return to Mihara Station and visit the ruins of the main citadel of Mihara Castle.
Mihara Station is said to have been built on top of the Honmaru, and the stone wall and moat can be seen directly from the station.
inside a train station
Map
moat
On the stone wall
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The Mihara Castle Remnants, located in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is the site of Mihara Castle, which was built in Bingonokuni (present-day eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture). Today, a Sanyo Railway station building has been constructed on the site, and the Sanyo Main Line and the Shinkansen bullet train run through the Honmaru. Directly connected to the station, visitors can see the stonewalls and moat.
Tsubomi（つぼみ）
最後に夜ご飯を食べにいきたいと思います！
お堀の目の前にあり、三原名物三原焼きをいただけるお店。
この日は残念ながら営業を終了していました・・・
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Tsubomi is an okonomiyaki restaurant located in Yakata machi, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Located right in front of the moat, you can enjoy reasonably priced set menus such as Mihara’s famous okonomiyaki with octopus.
5:30pm Okonomiyaki Tecchan（お好み焼き てっちゃん）
If you come to Mihara, you want Mihara-yaki for dinner!
I came to this restaurant, a 2 minute walk from the station ✨.
Exterior
iron plate
Counter Seat
Mihara Motsu Modern Yaki 800 yen
Mihara-yaki is one of the most famous Hiroshima-yaki dishes because of its inclusion of chicken Intestine!
Draft beer 550 yen
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Okonomiyaki Tecchan is an okonomiyaki restaurant located in Shiro-machi, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. This popular restaurant has been selected as one of the 100 best restaurants on the food log. You can enjoy “Mihara-yaki” which originated in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
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