Hiroshima has the geography that active travel guides dream of — a chain of bridged islands across a calm inland sea, a sacred mountain rising straight out of the water, kayakable shrine waters, and dozens of small islands each with their own micro-cultures. The leisure landscape here is unusually accessible: rental bikes for the world-famous Shimanami Kaido, half-day kayak tours under the floating torii, and ferry-hopping itineraries that let casual travellers reach quiet islands within an hour of central Hiroshima. This guide covers the active half of a Hiroshima trip.

Shimanami Kaido Cycling — The Full Guide

The Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道) is a 70 km cycling route from Onomichi (Honshu) to Imabari (Shikoku), crossing six islands of the Seto Inland Sea on dedicated bicycle lanes attached to the road bridges. It is one of the great cycling routes of Asia and the single best multi-day cycle tour accessible from a major Japanese city.

Route Overview

Section Distance Key features
Onomichi to Mukaishima 0.4 km ferry crossing (¥110) Bridge under construction; ferry only
Mukaishima to Innoshima Innoshima Bridge Murakami pirate history at Innoshima Suigun Castle
Innoshima to Ikuchijima Ikuchi Bridge Citrus groves, eccentric Kosanji Temple
Ikuchijima to Omishima Tatara Bridge — cable-stayed, 1480 m Oyamazumi Shrine (medieval armour)
Omishima to Hakatajima Omishima Bridge Quiet village atmosphere
Hakatajima to Oshima Hakata-Oshima Bridge Salt-making heritage
Oshima to Imabari Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge — 4 km triple suspension Spectacular finale

Time & Pacing

  • Fast pace: 6–7 hours of riding, all in one day
  • Comfortable pace: 2 days with one overnight stop (Ikuchijima or Omishima)
  • Leisurely pace: 3 days, allowing for temple stops, lunches, and detours

Bikes & Rentals

  • Standard rental: ¥2,000/day for a cross-bike at Onomichi Port
  • E-bike: ¥2,500–¥3,500/day — strongly recommended for first-timers or for tackling the bridge climbs
  • Tandem & child seats: Available at Onomichi and Imabari rental shops
  • One-way drop-off: Standard at all major rental shops — drop at Imabari and take the bus or Shinkansen back

Where to Stay Mid-Route

Island Recommended stay Notes
Ikuchijima Setoda guesthouses, Azumi Setoda (luxury) Best for art and views
Omishima Cycling-friendly guesthouses at Miyaura Best for early-morning Tatara Bridge crossing

Best Time to Ride

  • Sweet spot: Late September–early November and mid-March to mid-May
  • Avoid: July–August (extreme heat on exposed bridges); late June–early July (rainy season)
  • Wind: Afternoons can be windy on the bridges; morning starts are calmer

Kayaking the Miyajima Torii Gate

A small number of operators offer guided kayak tours that paddle under the floating torii gate at high tide. The experience — looking up at the great vermillion gate from sea level, with the shrine pavilions glowing on stilts above the water — is unforgettable.

  • Operators: Aquanet Hiroshima, Miyajima SeaKayak — book direct online 1–2 weeks ahead
  • Duration: 2.5 hours including instruction and boat time
  • Cost: ¥7,000–¥9,000 per person
  • Tide-dependent: Trips run only at high tide, which varies by day — flexibility helps
  • Skill level: No experience needed; tandem kayaks available for beginners
  • Best season: May, June, September, and October (calm seas and pleasant temperatures)

Other Kayak Options

  • Tomonoura sea kayak tours explore the protected harbour town’s coastline (¥6,000)
  • Setoda (Ikuchijima) offers kayak tours among citrus groves along the shore

Hiking in Hiroshima

Mount Misen (Miyajima) — 535 m

The most popular hike in the prefecture, ascending Miyajima’s sacred mountain.

  • Momijidani Course (recommended): 90 min up, 90 min down. Forest stream, maple valley, traditional pilgrim path.
  • Daisho-in Course: Strenuous, 90 min up. Starts at the temple; passes ancient stone Buddhas.
  • Ropeway shortcut: ¥2,000 round trip; saves 60 min of climbing, but still requires a 30-min walk to summit

Sandankyo Gorge — 16 km

A serious day hike along a forested gorge with waterfalls.

  • Trailhead: Sandankyo bus stop, 90 min from Hiroshima Station
  • Full traverse: 16 km, 5–6 hours one way (requires shuttle arrangement)
  • Short version: 4 km to Sandan Falls and back

Taishakukyo Gorge — 5–18 km

Multiple short walks along the limestone gorge, including the Onbashi natural arch.

Mitaki-dera Temple Loop

A 90-minute easy hike behind Hiroshima city to the three-waterfall temple complex.

Seto Inland Sea Island-Hopping

Beyond Miyajima, several smaller islands are within ferry range of central Hiroshima.

Etajima (江田島)

  • Access: 30 min from Ujina Port (¥530)
  • Highlights: Former Imperial Naval Academy (open for tours), Akiura Castle ruins, oyster farms
  • Activities: Cycling rental, beaches in summer, oyster restaurant lunches
  • Day trip: Easy

Ninoshima (似島)

  • Access: 20 min from Ujina (¥440)
  • Highlights: Sandy beach, low-tourism atmosphere, gentle hiking
  • Best for: A quiet half-day escape from the city

Osakikamijima (大崎上島)

  • Access: 90 min by ferry + transfer; or via the Shimanami Kaido area
  • Highlights: Mitarai historic port town (Edo-period geisha quarter, retro shopping streets), citrus farms
  • Best for: Slow travellers; photographers

Oyster Farm Tours

Hiroshima Prefecture produces approximately 60–70% of Japan’s farmed oysters, and a small number of operators offer tours of the floating oyster rafts and processing facilities.

  • Etajima oyster tours: 3-hour boat + processing visit + tasting (~¥6,000)
  • Bookings: Through Hiroshima tourism office or operator websites; English service variable
  • Season: October–April for peak oysters; tours run year-round but tastings are best in winter

Sandy Beach & Day Resort

Tsutsumigaura Beach Park (Miyajima)

The small beach at the northern end of Miyajima island — calm water, sand, picnic spots. Popular with locals; foreign visitors rarely make it this far around the island.

Mihara Beaches

Several swimming beaches along the Mihara coast east of Hiroshima city — Suo-no-Kuni and Ihocho beaches are the most popular. Open July–August.

Onsen Day Resorts

  • Otome no Yu (Miyajima) — public bath connected to a ryokan, with Itsukushima views
  • Yu-no-Yado Yamatomo (Yuki Onsen) — hot spring valley 90 min from Hiroshima city
  • Misuji Onsen in the Akiota area — best for cyclists finishing the Sandankyo hike

Other Activities

Golf

Course Location Greens fee Notes
Setouchi Golf Resort Onomichi area ¥10,000–¥15,000 Cliffside, sea views
Hiroshima Country Club Eastern suburbs ¥8,000–¥12,000 Popular weekend course

SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard)

  • Miyajima SUP tours run alongside the kayak operators (¥6,000–¥8,000)
  • Tomonoura harbour offers calm-water SUP for beginners

Mazda Museum Tour

For automotive fans, the Mazda Museum at the Hiroshima Mazda factory offers free guided tours (advance booking required, English available). 90 min, includes a section of the actual production line.

Sample Active Itineraries

One-Day Active

  • Morning: Mount Misen hike via Momijidani Course
  • Afternoon: Ferry back to Hiroshima, walk around Peace Park / Hiroshima Castle
  • Evening: Okonomiyaki dinner

Two-Day Cycling

  • Day 1: Pickup bike at Onomichi 08:00, ride to Ikuchijima or Omishima, overnight stay
  • Day 2: Continue to Imabari, drop bike, ferry/bus back to Hiroshima

Three-Day Mixed

  • Day 1: Hiroshima city + Hiroshima Castle moat cycle ride
  • Day 2: Miyajima — Mount Misen hike + kayak under the torii
  • Day 3: Shimanami Kaido sample ride (rent at Onomichi, ride to Ikuchijima and ferry back)

Practical Tips

  • Bike helmet: Required on the Shimanami Kaido — included in rental
  • Tide planning: Kayaking and torii walking are tide-dependent — check the tide table for Miyajima before booking
  • Cycling food: Convenience stores are present on all the Shimanami Kaido islands but spaced 10–15 km apart — carry water and a snack
  • Bear awareness: Sandankyo and Taishakukyo hikes are in bear country — bring a bear bell, hike before dusk
  • Sun: Inland Sea sun is intense even in mild months — wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, UV sleeves
  • Insurance: Verify your travel insurance covers cycling and water sports if you plan an active trip