The Seto Inland Sea, the sheltered water between Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, is one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes and was its first designated national park. Strewn with hundreds of green, steeply rising islands and famously calm, it has been a highway for a thousand years, and the best way to appreciate it is simply to get on a boat. Options range from local ferries linking island ports for a few hundred yen, to sightseeing cruises from Hiroshima and Onomichi, to overnight luxury cruise ships. Along the way you pass fishing harbours, citrus groves on terraced slopes, shrine gates in the water and the great bridges of the Shimanami Kaido.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima |
| Hours | Ferry and cruise timetables vary |
| Admission | Local ferries from a few hundred yen |
| Time needed | An hour to a full day |
| Best time | Calm, clear days; spring and autumn |
What to Do
- Hundreds of green islands rising steeply from calm water.
- Fishing harbours, citrus groves and island shrines.
- The great bridges of the Shimanami Kaido from below.
- Local ferries as a cheap alternative to sightseeing cruises.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Miyajima , reached by its own ferry.
- Pair with Onomichi and the island route east.
- Read our Hiroshima overview .
Getting There
- From Hiroshima port: ferries and cruises to Miyajima and the islands.
- From Onomichi and Mihara: local ferries to nearby island ports.
Tips
You don’t need an expensive sightseeing cruise — an ordinary local ferry between island ports costs a fraction and gives exactly the same views, often with far more local character. Sit outside on deck if the weather allows, check timetables carefully as rural island services can be sparse, and pick a calm, clear day for the best of the islands.
