I want I’d learn an article about day journeys from Hiroshima earlier than I took my first journey to the town, in 2014. Again then, as I wrote about in my broader Hiroshima journey information, I merely had the flawed concept in regards to the place.
Amongst different errors I made? Hiroshima’s metropolis middle, no matter you consider it, actually includes solely a small fraction of why the bigger San’yo area is price visiting. Locations each inside and out of doors of Hiroshima prefecture beckon, a few of which are actually among the many greatest in Japan.
Over the following a number of paragraphs, I’ll introduce you to a few of my favourite Hiroshima day journeys. Whether or not you’re capable of squeeze all of them in, or just select one you suppose can be swimsuit you, I believe they’ll change the way you see Hiroshima.
Hiroshima is a Nice Vacation spot, However a Higher Base
Even if you happen to’ve solely thought of Hiroshima to Onomichi day journey, you get it: Hiroshima is a handy metropolis with a charming historical past, however much more interesting due to its proximity to the remainder of far-western Japan. In truth, that is the particular argument I make to non-public shoppers of mine, who are sometimes on the fence about whether or not to go to Hiroshima in any respect. “We don’t care about World Warfare II,” they’ll reveal, dismissively (however understandably).
The worth proposition, to make certain, turns into a lot higher after I inform folks what they’re lacking in the event that they skip Hiroshima. “It will likely be virtually unattainable to go to the underrated Samurai city of Hagi,” I’ll clarify, “and even centuries-old Kintai Bridge if you happen to don’t already plan to be in Hiroshima.” That is to say nothing of aforementioned Onomichi, which is itself worthy of visiting Hiroshima all by itself.
The Finest Day Journeys from Hiroshima
Miyajima
I virtually didn’t embrace the “day journey” from Hiroshima to Miyajima on this article. On one hand, it’s far sufficient exterior of city—it’ll take you an hour to get from the town middle to Itsukushima Shrine—to qualify as an tour. However, it’s so well-known at this level that I’ve virtually by no means met anybody who didn’t comprehend it already.
Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido
Likewise, heading eastward from Hiroshima to Onomichi is an more and more well-liked choice. I often prefer to go north from Onomichi Station as much as Senko-ji temple, then stroll by way of cat-filled again alleys alongside the Outdated Temple Path to Saikoku-ji. From there, I head right down to the harbor to slurp up a salty bowl of Onomichi ramen.
Alternatively, I’m going immediately from Onomichi-eki to the harbor and lease a motorcycle (if you happen to’re coming from Hiroshima just for the day, an e-bike is likely to be higher). I then trip a brief ferry over to the place to begin of the Shimanami Kaido, a picturesque biking path that goes over the Seto Inland Sea—all the way in which to Shikoku island’s Imabari metropolis, in case you have time and stamina.
Kintai Bridge
The excellent news? Touring from Hiroshima to Kintai Bridge is straightforward—you merely trip a westbound Shinkansen Kodama or Hikari prepare to the delightfully retro Shin-Iwakuni Station, then get a bus from there to the bridge. Whereas this bridge is clearly at its most stunning throughout cherry blossom season, its centuries-old structure is price appreciating twelve months per 12 months.
Shimonoseki
Like Kintaikyo, the town of Shimonoseki is in Yamaguchi prefecture—so, technically not “in” Hiroshima. Not like the bridge, nevertheless, Shimonoseki is an actual—and attention-grabbing—metropolis. My favourite points of interest contain meals—the controversial fugu pufferfish extra typically; Karato Seafood Market particularly—however I additionally love the views of the Kanmon Straits, which separate Japan’s Honshu from Kyushu island, that you would be able to get pleasure from right here.
Hagi and Motonosumi Inari Shrine
To go three for 3 with locations in Yamaguchi-ken, I can completely advocate that you simply take a bus from Hiroshima to Hagi, a Samurai district that’s as full of historical past as it’s (principally) empty of vacationers. If you happen to’re open to renting a automotive, nevertheless, you can even add a side-trip to Motonosumi Inari Shrine—suppose the vermillion gates of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine (even when Motonosumi’s are crimson), however on the ocean. It’s as beautiful because it sounds!
Fukuoka
Final however not least is the town of Fukuoka, which I by no means thought of a day-trip vacation spot from any metropolis (not to mention Hiroshima) till a consumer requested me if I might plan one (a day journey from Hiroshima, that is) for them. It was fairly simple, really—a Nozomi or Mizuho Shinkansen to Hakata Station, and a few mixture of the Fukuoka Metropolis Subway and their very own two toes from there to points of interest just like the temples of Fukuoka Gion, to Kushida Shrine, to the ramen outlets and yatai meals stalls alongside the Naka River.
The place to Go in Japan After Hiroshima
Hiroshima, as I’ve expressed in different articles I’ve written in regards to the metropolis/prefecture, is the gateway to Western Japan. This not solely contains the San’yo Coast alongside which it sits, however San’in, the northern “lobe” of the Chūgoku area. From shrines and gardens in Shimane prefecture, to an precise desert in Tottori, San’in is (as I’ve usually written) the Japan you’ve been on the lookout for.
Within the different route, whereas Fukuoka is usually a day journey from Hiroshima, the bigger island of Kyushu deserves extra of your time—far more of it. As a normal rule, I counsel spending a minimal of two days in every of its seven prefectures; which means that for a very complete journey of Japan’s southernmost main island, you want not less than two weeks. As is the case for Hiroshima itself, I promise it’s price it!
Different FAQ About Day Journeys from Hiroshima
What’s the greatest day journey from Hiroshima?
When it comes to pure ROI, I’d say that Kintai Bridge in Yamaguchi prefecture might be one of the best day journey from Hiroshima. It’s simple to achieve—a Shinkansen to Shin-Iwakuni; a brief bus trip from there. It’s additionally easy to discover: You’ll be glad if you happen to solely admire the bridge, although you can even have lunch and trip a ropeway as much as Iwakuni Citadel. There’s little or no to lose.
What are some hidden gems to discover in Hiroshima?
Many of the hidden gems within the neighborhood of Hiroshima are exterior the town middle, which is firmly alongside Japan’s “Golden Route.” Inside Hiroshima prefecture, I like day-tripping to the harbor city of Onomichi and, if I’ve time, biking onto the Shimanami Kaido biking route. Past these, close by Yamaguchi prefecture is considered one of Japan’s most underrated locations, and is definitely accessible from Hiroshima.
What are some well-liked vacationer points of interest close to Hiroshima?
Hiroshima places you inside day-trip distance of a number of fabulous spots. For instance, the centuries-old Kintaikyo Bridge, which is technically in Yamaguchi prefecture however is lower than an hour from central Hiroshima by Shinkansen bullet prepare and bus. Miyajima island (which I think about to be a part of Hiroshima, fairly than separate from it) can also be lower than an hour from Hiroshima Station.
The Backside Line
I hope my round-up of day journeys from Hiroshima has each knowledgeable and impressed you. On the data entrance, many of those locations—from Kintai Bridge simply to the west in Yamaguchi prefecture; to the Samurai city of Hagi additional afield—merely won’t be in your radar. As soon as they’re, studying the phrases I’ve written about them and the photographs I’ve taken of them will hopefully encourage you to go to them your self, presuming that you simply plan to commit lengthy sufficient to Hiroshima to accommodate them. Want personalised assist optimize your journey across the underrated reaches of far-Western Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!