Summary
This time, I went to Kurahashi Island in Hiroshima Prefecture for a relaxing island trip plan.
It was a beautiful sunny day for a scenic tour, and we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery!
It was a full day of leisurely driving and exploring.
Please refer to it and go there!
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Travel Itinerary
10:00am Ondonoseto Park （音戸の瀬戸公園）
Kurahashi Island is about an hour and a half drive from Hiroshima City!
Before crossing over to the island, we first stopped by this park.
Here you will find an observatory overlooking Setouchi and a spot where you can see beautiful azaleas!
In fact, Ondonoseto Park is vast!
We drove to the location where the observatory is located and where the azaleas can be seen, because they are far apart!
I’m going to go there because the observatory is a highlight.
Japanese heritage
Ruins of Takashima Battery
ruins of a gun emplacement
Kiyomori Taira statue
Azalea spot in front of Ondo Ohashi Bridge
Ondonoseto Park is famous for its beautiful azaleas!
It seems that more than 8,000 azaleas bloom at the same time of the year.
The end of April may be the best time to see it!
Ondo Ohashi Bridge and azaleas can be seen.
Spot Outline
Ondonoseto Park is located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. The park has an observatory from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Ondo Ohashi Bridge, the ruins of a gun battery, a statue of Taira no Kiyomori, and a spot where azaleas can be seen beautifully. Word of mouth has it that the park is also recommended as a side trip to Kurahashi Island.
Takagarasu-dai Observatory（高烏台展望台）
A spectacular view of the islands of Setouchi located in the park!
You could even see the mountains in the distance and it was beautiful✨
viewing platform
scenery
The red bridge in the middle is Ondo Ohashi Bridge.
Beyond that is Kurahashi Island, where we will be heading.
view
Statues can also be seen
Spot Outline
Located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Takagarasu-dai Observatory is the highest observatory in Ondonoseto Park. It offers a spectacular view of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance.
Setomi Observatory（瀬戸見展望台）
Another observation deck in the park!
If you work your way up the long staircase, you can enjoy the beautiful view, so I recommend this place as well.
This one is closer to Kurahashi Island, so you can see more of the island!
Enjoy the spectacular view while sitting
long staircase
Exterior
Spot Outline
Setomi Observatory, located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is an observatory in the Mitsuda Garden. The pavilion is known as a spot from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Ondo Seto.
Ondo Bridge (between Honshu and Niigata Prefectures)
Next, we will explore Ondo-cho!
The bridge connecting the mainland of Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, with Kurahashi Island, characterized by its red steel, was visible.
The strait that flows under the bridge is called Ondo no Seto, and it is said to have been opened by Taira no Kiyomori.
Crossing the bridge by car is fun, but the view looking up from below is also wonderful!
Whirlpools were forming on the surface of the water.
The Ondonoseto is a bit rough, which is unusual for the sea around here.
Spot Outline
Ondo Ohashi Bridge, located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a road bridge connecting the mainland of Kure City and Kurahashi Island, and is a popular tourist attraction. The crimson bridge, 90 meters wide and 172 meters long, spans the Ondo Seto and is fun to drive across, but the view from below is also wonderful.
10:30am Ototo Ginza Street（音戸銀座街）
Entering Ondo-cho, you will find intricate alleys and old-fashioned streets.
Some fashionable cafes were renovated from former merchant houses and kimono shops.
I enjoyed strolling in the nostalgic atmosphere!
Fun in an alley like Onomichi.
Nostalgic atmosphere.
I love this retro look.
Lunch and cafes can also be enjoyed!
The bright red Seto Ohashi Bridge can be seen.
Spot Outline
Located in Ondo-cho, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Ototo Ginza Street is a spot where visitors can enjoy a nostalgic retro townscape. The neighborhood is dotted with fashionable cafes that have been renovated from former merchant houses and kimono shops. The nostalgic atmosphere of the area allows visitors to feel the scenes of the past as they stroll through the area.
11:20am Hiyama（火山）
Drive to the recommended spots with spectacular views!
It is 403m to the top! It is easy to get to the top by car.
There is also a 1.5 hour climbing course that you can choose which you prefer!
Climbing!
Climbing up the rock face on a rope
Spot Outline
Located in the center of Kurahashi Island, Hiyama is a 408-meter-high mountain. You can easily enjoy the spectacular view as you can drive to the top of the mountain. There is also a 1.5-hour climbing course, so you can choose whichever you prefer.
Hiyama Observation deck（火山 展望台）
A 10-minute walk from the parking lot takes you to the summit!
It was a bit of a walk, but it was a great view over the Seto Inland Sea.
To the top!
superb view
Stone at the top
The Hiyama on Kurahashi Island is characterized by this pile of stones!
Spot Outline
The Hiyama Observatory is located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, a 10-minute walk from the parking lot. From the top of the observatory, visitors can also see the Shikoku Mountains, making it a spectacular spot for viewing.
12:30pm cafe SLOW（カフェ スロウ）
Lunch time at a café in a great location with Katsurahama beach in front of you.
The open space was very nice in a place that was remodeled with a beach house theme!
Not only the dessert menu, but also pasta and a la carte items were available!
They also have a BBQ hut next door, where you can enjoy BBQ all year round without any supplies.
It looks like the BBQ hut becomes an “oyster hut” in the winter. It’s absolutely the best, isn’t it?
Exterior
Entrance
SUP rentals available
There is a beach right in front of the house, so you can play there!
Stylish space like a log house
Interior
Interior
Interior 3
Terrace Seat
It’s like a beach house, great!
Menu
Extensive menu using local ingredients!
The handwriting is cute.
Lunch Menu
Tomato smoothie 750 yen
What a surprise, it seems to have two tomatoes in it, and they are rich and delicious! Kurahashi also has good tomatoes!
Spot Outline
Cafe SLOW is located in Kurahashi-cho, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. You can enjoy lunch, cafe, and even dinner in an open space with the view of Katsurahama Beach spread out before your eyes. There is also a BBQ hut next door, where you can enjoy BBQ with nothing to cook, as well as a variety of oyster courses in winter. Parking is available, even on rainy days.
1:30pm Katsurahama Beach（桂浜）
We had lunch and were very happy!
We came to the beach, a short walk from the cafe.
You can spend a relaxing time in front of the beautiful sea view.
The sea in Kurahashi was crystal clear and supremely beautiful!
The sound of the waves was the best.
The sea after passing through a row of pine trees
I like the shade!
Spot Outline
Katsurahama Beach is located on the south side of Kurahashi Island in Kure City. The beach is characterized by its long sandy beach and clear waters, with pine trees along the beach. It is also famous as a scenic spot selected as one of the “100 best beaches in Japan,” where visitors can spend a relaxing time.
Katsurahama Shrine（桂濱神社）
Visit a shrine with an eye-catching large torii gate, located near Katsurahama Beach ✨
It is refreshing to have a shrine right in front of the ocean!
The shrine is said to be made of wood from ships used on Katsurahama Beach!
It is quiet and very nice atmosphere.
Torii (gate)
In front of you is the sea
You can take a picture like this.
Spot Outline
Katsurahama Shrine is located in Kurahashi-cho, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. The shrine was built using wood from ships used on Katsurahama Beach and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
2:30pm Natural hot spring Kurahashi Katsurahama Onsenkan（天然温泉 くらはし桂浜温泉館）
At the end of the day, you can refresh yourself in a hot spring and relieve the fatigue of the day.
The natural hot springs will make your skin smooth and smooth ✨
You can even see the Hiyama from the hot spring, making it a perfect location!
Exterior
store
You can buy souvenirs and local specialties!
ticket machine
Adults 700 yen
Towel rental 200 yen
Buy Tickets
Large bathrooms on the 1st and 3rd floors
Weekly changeover
This time on the 3rd floor!
scenery
From the building, you can see the Hiyama where you were just now!
Spot Outline
Natural Hot Springs Kurahashi Katsurahama Onsenkan, located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a day spa facility where visitors can enjoy authentic natural hot springs. In addition to the hot springs, the facility also has a restaurant and a store selling local specialties.
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