Most visitors arrive in Hiroshima expecting a city, and leave surprised by the breadth of its natural landscape. The prefecture stretches from the islands of the Seto Inland Sea up to the mountainous border with Shimane, and along the way passes a sacred forest mountain, two world-class gorges, an island-hopping cycling route considered among the best in Asia, and dozens of small islands with their own micro-cultures of citrus, fishing, and slow time. This guide covers the natural side of Hiroshima — the parts of the prefecture where the highway recedes and the landscape takes over.
Miyajima — Sacred Island
Miyajima (officially Itsukushima) is not just a shrine — it is a 30 km² island whose interior is a dense primeval forest, protected as sacred ground for over a millennium. Most visitors see only the floating torii gate and the Omotesando shopping street. Walking inland is a different experience entirely.
Mount Misen (弥山) — 535 m
The sacred mountain rising behind Itsukushima Shrine has three main routes to the summit, all converging at the observatory.
| Route | Difficulty | Time up | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Momijidani Course | Moderate | 90 min | Forest stream, maple valley start, traditional pilgrim route |
| Daisho-in Course | Strenuous | 90 min | Starts at the temple, passes ancient stone Buddhas |
| Ropeway + 30 min walk | Easy | 30 min walk after ropeway | Fast way to the summit |
The summit observatory rewards you with one of western Japan’s great panoramas — the islands of the Seto Inland Sea stretching south, Hiroshima city visible on a clear day, and a glimpse of Shikoku across the water.
Momijidani Park (紅葉谷公園)
A short walk inland from Itsukushima Shrine, this small valley is famous for its 200+ maple trees — a vivid red and orange spectacle in late November. The stone-lined stream and traditional Iwaso ryokan at the centre give the park a feel of a fully realised landscape painting.
Daisho-in Temple (大聖院)
The 806 AD temple at the foot of Mount Misen is Miyajima’s most important Buddhist site (the shrine on the island handles Shinto duties). Tibetan-style prayer wheels along the path, hundreds of small Jizo statues with knitted caps, and the cave-like Henjokutsu Hall (its ceiling hung with lanterns) make this one of the most atmospheric temple visits in western Japan. Free entry.
Shimanami Kaido — The Island-Hopping Bridge Route
The Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道) is a 70 km cycling route running from Onomichi on the Honshu side to Imabari on Shikoku, traversing six islands of the Seto Inland Sea via dedicated cycling lanes on a chain of dramatic suspension bridges. It is widely considered the finest cycling experience in Japan and one of the great rides in Asia.
The Route at a Glance
- Total distance: ~70 km point-to-point (Onomichi to Imabari) or as far as you want, then ferry back
- Bridges: Six major suspension bridges, each architecturally distinct
- Elevation: Mostly flat with bridge approaches at about 50 m elevation gain each
- Time: 1 day for fast riders, 2 days at a comfortable pace
- Bike rental: From ¥1,500/day; e-bikes ¥2,500–¥3,500/day from Onomichi Port
Recommended Stops
- Innoshima — citrus groves and Murakami pirate history at the Innoshima Suigun Castle
- Ikuchijima — Kosanji Temple’s eccentric mid-20th-century recreations and the Hill of Hope marble garden
- Omishima — Oyamazumi Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto sites, with extensive medieval armour collection
- Hakatajima — small village atmosphere; good lunch stop at a roadside seafood restaurant
Logistics Tips
- One-way rental: Rental bikes can be returned at the destination — you do not need to cycle back
- Bus return option: Several limited express buses cover the route for tired riders
- Best season: April–May and October–November. Avoid July–August (extreme heat on exposed bridges)
- Start early: 07:00–08:00 starts let you reach Imabari by mid-afternoon and avoid afternoon wind
For full route details, see the dedicated Shimanami Kaido cycling article in our Leisure guide.
Taishakukyo Gorge (帝釈峡)
In the mountainous interior of northern Hiroshima Prefecture, Taishakukyo is a 18 km gorge carved by the Taishaku River — one of the “Three Great Gorges of Japan” alongside Kuju and Tenryu. The signature feature is Onbashi (雄橋) — a 90-metre natural rock bridge over the river, formed by limestone erosion.
The Two Sections
- Upper Taishakukyo (上帝釈) — Easy to access, the main tourist area with Onbashi, Hakuun Cavern, and Shinryuko Lake boat rides
- Lower Taishakukyo (下帝釈) — Wilder, with rougher trails and far fewer visitors
Highlights
| Feature | What it is |
|---|---|
| Onbashi (雄橋) | Natural limestone arch bridge, 90 m wide, one of Japan’s three great natural bridges |
| Hakuun Cavern | Limestone cave with illuminated formations (¥600) |
| Shinryuko Lake | Dam reservoir with 40-minute scenic boat tours (¥1,200) |
| Yokei Pavilion | The classic photo viewpoint over the gorge |
Practical Notes
- Access: 90 min by car from Hiroshima city; 2 hours via JR Bingo-Shobara station + bus
- Best season: Autumn (Nov) for maple colour; spring (Apr) for fresh green
- Stay: Several small inns in the gorge area for overnight stays — including some with onsen
- Tip: Rental car is strongly recommended — public transport to Taishakukyo is sparse
Sandankyo Gorge (三段峡)
In the western mountains near the Shimane border, Sandankyo is a 16 km gorge with a footpath running its full length — a serious day hike for those who want a quieter alternative to Taishakukyo.
The Hike
The full 16 km traverse takes 5–6 hours one way. Most visitors do a 4 km out-and-back to Sandan Falls (三段滝) — the gorge’s signature three-tiered waterfall.
- Trailhead: Sandankyo bus stop, 90 min from Hiroshima Station by bus (¥3,300 return)
- Cost: Free
- Difficulty: Moderate; well-maintained path but long
- Best season: Late October to mid-November for maple colour; mid-April to mid-May for fresh green
The gorge has been a national park since 1925 and is one of the most carefully preserved natural sites in western Japan.
The Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海)
The body of water between Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu — dotted with hundreds of islands and ringed by mountains — has its own micro-climate of mild winters, low rainfall, and abundant sunshine. The Setouchi region’s identity is bound up in this sea: olive groves, lemon orchards, salt production, and a slower pace of life than the Pacific coast.
Island Day Trips from Hiroshima
| Island | Access from Hiroshima | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Miyajima | 30 min by tram + 10 min ferry | Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen — covered above |
| Ninoshima | 30 min by ferry from Ujina | Quiet beach, low tourism, hot spring views |
| Etajima | 30 min by ferry from Ujina | Naval academy, oyster farms, mountain hikes |
| Osakikamijima | 70 min by ferry | Edo-period port town Mitarai, retro shopping streets |
Tomonoura (鞆の浦)
Although technically a peninsula port rather than an island, Tomonoura is the prefecture’s most picturesque historic harbour — a small fishing town with Edo-era warehouses, a stone lighthouse, and the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo.” Access: 30 min bus from JR Fukuyama Station (90 min east of Hiroshima by Shinkansen).
Seasonal Landscapes
Spring (March–April): Cherry Blossoms
- Peace Memorial Park — riverside cherries with the dome in the background
- Hiroshima Castle moat — wide outer moat lined with cherry trees, illuminated at night
- Senkoji Park (Onomichi) — hillside cherries with sea views
- Miyajima — Itsukushima Shrine framed by cherries
Summer (June–August): Lush Green & Festivals
- Sandankyo and Taishakukyo — green canopy at peak density
- Miyajima Mount Misen — cool ridge breezes despite the lowland heat
- The Seto Inland Sea islands — beach swimming and island ferry routes
Autumn (October–November): Maple Colour
- Momijidani Park (Miyajima) — the prefecture’s most famous maple viewing
- Taishakukyo Gorge — late October to mid-November peak
- Sandankyo — same window, more dramatic gorge framing
- Shukkeien Garden — traditional Japanese garden in autumn dress
Winter (December–February): Snow & Oysters
- Hiroshima Bay — peak oyster season, with floating oyster rafts visible from ferries
- Northern Hiroshima — light snow in higher elevations; ski resorts at Megahira and Geihoku Kokusai
- Miyajima — exceptionally quiet, no crowds, occasional snow on the shrine roof
Access & Planning
| Destination | Best access | Travel time | Recommended trip type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miyajima | Tram + JR Ferry | 50 min | Day trip or overnight |
| Shimanami Kaido | JR to Onomichi + bike rental | 90 min to start | Full day or overnight cycle |
| Taishakukyo | Rental car or bus to Bingo-Shobara | 2 hr by car | Day trip |
| Sandankyo | Bus from Hiroshima Station | 90 min | Day hike |
| Tomonoura | Shinkansen to Fukuyama + bus | 2 hr | Day trip from Hiroshima or Onomichi |
| Seto islands (Etajima, Osakikamijima) | Ferry from Hiroshima Port | 30–70 min | Day trip or overnight |
Practical Tips
- Rental car: Strongly recommended for Taishakukyo, the prefecture’s interior, and rural island routes. Rent at Hiroshima Station or Airport.
- Cycling: Shimanami Kaido bikes can be rented at Onomichi Port; one-way rentals (drop at Imabari) are available at most rental points.
- Photography: The Inland Sea is famously beautiful in early morning and late afternoon — the low sun across the water is a photographer’s dream.
- Mountain hiking: Even Mount Misen and Sandankyo trails are well-maintained, but bring proper shoes — flip-flops or city shoes will not work.
- Weather: Late June–early July is the rainy season (tsuyu). Mountain hikes can be very wet; gorge walks may be partially closed.
- Bear awareness: Wild bears exist in northern Hiroshima Prefecture — Sandankyo and Taishakukyo. Hike with a bear bell (purchase at outdoor shops) and don’t hike at dusk alone.