Favorites English(US) USD

DEEPLOG
  • Media TOP
  • [Hiroshima ]recommended places for driving sightseeing! Hiroshima drive for everyone on a holiday!

[Hiroshima ]recommended places for driving sightseeing! Hiroshima drive for everyone on a holiday!

[Hiroshima ]recommended places for driving sightseeing! Hiroshima drive for everyone on a holiday!
facebook twitter
Popular Tourist Spots Couples Family Friends

2022-08-29 Management office

Hiroshima Prefecture flourishes as the center of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, with cutting-edge stores and fashionable cafes in the center of the city, while a little further away you can enjoy abundant nature and beautiful scenery. Many people probably spend their holidays driving around with family, friends, or loved ones. In this issue, we will introduce four attractive driving and sightseeing spots in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, focusing on islands where you can enjoy the Seto Inland Sea.
Management office

Author of this article

Management office

Table of Contents

  1. 1.
    Shimanami Sea Route
    1. 1-1.
      Mt. Kamereo Observatory (Kiro San Tenbou Kouen)
    3. 1-2.
      Dolphin Farm Shimanami
  3. 2.
    Roadside Stations and Service Areas
  5. 3.
    To the Island
    1. 3-1.
      Enjoy nostalgic flavors
    3. 3-2.
      Exquisite Chocolate
    5. 3-3.
      Enjoy the spectacular scenery
  7. 4.
    Sengoku Island
    1. 4-1.
      Drive on a spectacular beach
    3. 4-2.
      A pure white garden that is a hot topic on SNS
  9. 5.
    summary

Shimanami Sea Route

"Shimanami Kaido "is a 60 km long automobile-only road connecting Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, offering beautiful scenery of islands in the Seto Inland Sea. 9 bridges connect the two cities, and the scenery of the multi-island sea is impressive.
It is famous not only for driving, but also for cycling, "and as a mecca for cyclists ". It is a great place to drive because of its spectacular viewpoints and sightseeing spots.

Mt. Kamereo Observatory (Kiro San Tenbou Kouen)

One bridge away from Imabari City, "Gumiroyama Observatory "offers a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. At an elevation of 307.8 m, it is located at the southern tip of Oshima.
It is also designated as a Seto Inland Sea National Park and was ranked second in the travel review site TripAdvisor's "Travel Lovers' Choice! "Japan's Viewing Spots 2017 "and "Kurushima Kaikyo (Straits of Kurushima) seen from the top of Mt.



On a clear day, Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, can be seen.
The sunset and the periodic lighting up of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge are also very beautiful and popular.



The observatory was designed by Kengo Kuma, one of Japan's leading architects, with the innovative idea of burying the observatory at the top of the mountain, making it invisible from the outside. 360-degree views can be seen from the observatory, and the natural landscape is carefully designed.



Facility Information
Opening hours: 24 hours free admission
Closed: No mid-year break
Material: No material for admission
Sightseeing Time: 40 min.
Location: 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari City
Inquiries: Resident Service Section, Yoshimi Branch Office, Imabari City Hall
Telephone number: 0897-84-2111 (generation)
Parking: Yes (18 regular cars, 6 large cars), free of charge


Dolphin Farm Shimanami

"Dolphin Farm Shimanami "is a facility where you can swim and interact with dolphins and whales.
The program, which allows visitors not only to watch but also to shake hands with and kiss the dolphins, takes 30 minutes and costs 5,500 yen.

The program, which allows participants to swim together, takes one hour and costs 9,900 yen, making it a popular way to create memories with family and friends.
There are only a few facilities in Japan where you can swim with dolphins, so this is a rare experience for you.



There are also camping and glamping facilities at "Dolphin Farm Shimanami ". It is a place where you can enjoy all day long.



Facility Information
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Holidays: Open year-round (closed only during inclement weather)
Location: 1673 Yapura, Hakuhata-cho, Imabari City
Phone number: 0897-72-8787
Parking: Free (100 spaces)
Official website: https://www.df-shimanami.com/

Roadside Stations and Service Areas

"There are a number of roadside stations and service areas that you may want to stop at while driving along the Shimanami Kaido ".

Located just before the Imabari IC, "Kuraishima Kaikyo Service Area "is one of the largest "on the Shimanami Kaido "in terms of site area and number of products handled.
Sweets made from lemons and mandarins, the specialty of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as souvenirs from Hiroshima and Ehime are all on display.
From this service area, you can also view the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, famous as the world's first triple suspension bridge.





Facility Information
Facility name: Kurushima Kaikyo Service Area
Address: 3-9-68 Ohamacho, Imabari, Ehime 794-0002
Hours: Food court weekdays 8:00 - 21:00, weekends and holidays 7:00 - 22:00
Store: 8:00 - 21:00 weekdays, 7:00 - 22:00 weekends and holidays
Outside store and cafe 9:00-17:00 weekdays, 9:00-18:00 weekends and holidays
Phone number: 0898-33-8633

The "Setoda Parking Area ", which offers a view of the Tatara Bridge, is also popular.
The food court is also well stocked, and visitors can easily enjoy dishes using lemons, such as lemon pork bowls made with pork raised with lemons added to part of its feed, and lemon ramen noodles with their refreshing aroma.




To the Island

"Mukojima "is only a 5-minute ferry ride from Onomichi, so you can easily park your car in Onomichi and go there.
It is famous for its retro atmosphere and many movie locations.

Enjoy nostalgic flavors

"Mukojima "has many long-established stores.
"Sumida Bakery "is one such bakery with a long history, having been established in 1916.
Open from 6:00 a.m., the shop offers a variety of breads, including side dish breads and sweet breads.



Especially popular are the anpan. The anpan made with anko (red bean paste), which has been cultivated over many years, is so delicious that you can't help but feel your cheeks relax.
The homemade koshi-an (sweet red bean paste) is made with only azuki beans, Sato, and salt, and although it is a simple mixture, it has a flavor that cannot be found in other stores.
The "screw pan "is also popular and loved by children and adults of all ages.



All items are discounted from 5:00 p.m. and can be purchased for a whopping 65 yen, making them good for souvenirs or breakfast the next day.

[Store Locations
Store Name：Sumida Bakery
Address: 24-1 Mukaishima-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0073
Hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Regular holiday: No mid-year break
Phone number: 0848-44-0628
Parking: Available (3 spaces)
Official website: http://www.sumidapan.jp/

Also popular for its retro atmosphere is "Goto Kosenjo ". Founded in 1930, this drinking water manufacturer sells Showa-era retro drinks such as ramune and milkshakes.
The fantastic cider "Margo Cider "is only available locally, so be sure to buy it when you visit.

[Store Locations
Store Name：Goto Kosenjo
Address: 755-2 Mukaishima-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Closed: irregular holidays (see Instagram)
Phone number: 0848-44-1768
Official website: https://www.instagram.com/maru5_gotokosensho/


Exquisite Chocolate

"Mukojima "is making a name for itself as a new specialty of "USHIO CHOCOLATL ".
Located in the mountains overlooking the Tachibana Coast, this chocolate factory has a café attached to it. The factory visits cacao farms around the world in search of cacao beans, and uses cacao beans purchased directly from the farms.
The chocolates are made using only cacao beans and sugar to maximize the flavor of the cacao, and have many fans both inside and outside of the prefecture.
The palm-sized hexagonal shape of the chocolate is a distinctive feature of the product, and it seems that the current shape was arrived at after research into the resistance of the chocolate to cracking.
The cute packaging makes it a great souvenir or small gift.



[Store Locations
Store Name：USHIO CHOCOLATL
Address: 2200 Tachibana, Mukaishima-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0071
Business hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Phone number: 0848-36-6408
Official website: https://ushio-choco.com/

Enjoy the spectacular scenery

Takami at an elevation of 283 meters has an observatory from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea from Mukojima's highest peak.
Because it is a historic island, you can see not only the new facilities, but also the abandoned factories and hotels on the east side of the island.
The gentle, warm breeze is very pleasant and refreshing.



Facility Information
Facility name: Takamiyama Observatory
Address: Mukaishima-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture (Map)
Opening hours: 24 hours free (free)
Parking: 5-6 cars at the summit and a large parking lot about 500m below.

Sengoku Island

"Ikuchi Island "is on the way to "Shimanami Kaido "
There are also ferries from Onomichi Port and Mihara Port. Famous for its lemons and art, there are lemon trees all over the island.
The amount of production is the largest in Japan. You can spend a relaxing time at such "Ikuchijima ".


Drive on a spectacular beach

"Setoda Sunset Beach "is a white sand beach of about 800 meters and is crowded with bathers in summer.
Activities such as SUP and sea kayaking are also available on Ikuchi Island and are very popular.
Also, "Sunset Beach "is known as a spot where, as the name suggests, you can overlook the sunset, and the view from your car on the way home is breathtaking.


A pure white garden that is a hot topic on SNS

One of the famous tourist attractions on Ikuchi Island is "Kosanji Temple ".
It features glittering decorations and is also known as "Nikko of the West ". It is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

Part of Kosanji's facilities "Miraishin no Oka "is also a popular tourist attraction.
The garden, made of pure white marble like in Greece, has become a hot topic on social networking sites.
It is approximately 5,000 square meters in size, with monuments of various shapes and sizes and a plaza where children can run around.



On the premises "Cafe Cuore "offers a beautiful view of the Seto Inland Sea for lunch or café time.
On a sunny day, try sitting on the terrace.

Facility Information
Facility name: Kozoji
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (admission until 4:30 p.m.), 10:00 - 16:00 (tidal pool only)
Closed: No mid-year break
Admission: Adults 1,400 yen, college students 1,200 yen, high school students 800 yen, seniors 1,200 yen, junior high school students and younger free
Location: 553-2 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone number: 0845-27-0800
Garage: 40 units
Official website: https://www.kousanji.or.jp/

summary

In this issue, we have introduced four driving spots in Hiroshima Prefecture, where you can enjoy the Seto Inland Sea.
Take a drive and refresh yourself without worrying about time in Hiroshima, where the days are warm and mild.
A gourmet tour is also recommended, as there are a variety of restaurants, including those using lemon, a Hiroshima specialty, and long-established restaurants that have been loved by local residents for many years.
Have a great time with friends and family.

facebook twitter

Recommended articles