Hiroshima is not only known for the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima's Great Torii Gate. This mountain-and-sea encircled city hides many secrets that even Japanese locals may not know. From the fresh oysters along the coastline to the slightly intoxicated islands of the Seto Inland Sea, this article takes you to discover Hiroshima's day trip possibilities from a different perspective.
Hiroshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Honshu. The warm waters of the Seto Inland Sea and the rolling mountainous terrain have created abundant seafood and natural landscapes. Winter oysters, summer peaches, autumn maple leaves, plus the artistic energy of the Setouchi Triennale make the Hiroshima area worth exploring throughout the year. Beyond the familiar "Hiroshima to Miyajima" route that most travelers know, there are many more destinations worth deeper exploration.
Recommended Destination 1: Takehara Old Street (Takehara Machinami)
About 40 minutes by JR Kure Line from central Hiroshima, you can reach Takehara, known as "Hiroshima's Little Kyoto." The area preserves townhouse buildings from the Edo to Meiji periods, with white walls and black tiles intact. Walking here feels like stepping back in time.
Takehara was once a major center for salt fields and brewing. Today, the old street still has traditional soy sauce and sake breweries. The "Shukuden Soy Sauce" brewery tour is highly recommended, where you can taste rare aged Tamari soy sauce that has been fermented for decades. This deep-sea colored soy sauce is the secret weapon of Japanese restaurants. Takehara's sake "Shirobotan" is also worth trying, with a mellow sweet flavor, paired with local conger eel (sea eel) dishes for an authentic Setouchi taste. Plan 2-3 hours for the old street walk. For lunch, try the oyster huts along the street or the traditional conger eel set meals.
Address: Takehara Machinami area, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: About 10 minutes walk from JR Takehara Station
Estimated budget: Free for street walk, free for brewery tour and tasting, lunch ~JPY1,500-2,500
Recommended Destination 2: Okunoshima (Rabbit Island)
This small island was once home to a secret poison gas factory during World War II, but is now famous for hundreds of wild rabbits. About 30 minutes by ferry from Hiroshima Port, the island prohibits vehicles, so visitors must walk or rent bicycles to explore.
What makes Rabbit Island unique is that these rabbits are completely unafraid of humans and will主动 approach begging for food, which is very adorable. However, Japan's Ministry of Environment has recently issued warnings about visitor feeding behavior, as human food affects rabbit health and ecological imbalance has appeared on the island. When visiting, bring special rabbit feed (sold on the island) and follow the principles of "no chasing, no feeding human food, take your trash with you." The island also has explorable ruins of the wartime factory, preserving historical traces from the war era, suitable for visitors interested in modern history.
Address: Okunoshima, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: From "JR Kaminagahama Station" or "Hiroshima Station" transfer by bus to "Hiroshima Port," then by ferry (~30 minutes, one-way JPY420)
Estimated budget: Round-trip ferry JPY840, rabbit feed JPY200-500, walking on island free
Opening hours: Ferry 08:00-17:30 (varies by season), rabbits visible all day
Recommended Destination 3: Jinsekigun Highlands (Jinsekigun Town)
If you want to escape the crowds and explore Hiroshima's inland mountain areas, Jinsekigun Highlands is an excellent choice. Located in the northeast of Hiroshima Prefecture, at an average altitude of over 500 meters, it offers cool summer weather and spectacular autumn maple and ginkgo views.
The "Hoshifurusato" (Star Falling Village) on the plateau is a famous stargazing spot in Japan's Chugoku region. In 2023, it received certification from Japan's Ministry of Environment as a "Dark Sky Preserve," with an astonishing number of stars visible to the naked eye. In winter, you can experience snow hiking or hot springs. The local "Jinsekigun Hot Spring" is a chloride spring that forms a film on the skin after bathing, with excellent moisturizing effects, especially suitable for those with dry skin. Additionally, Jinsekigun beef (Jinsekigyu) is a premium wagyu brand within Hiroshima Prefecture, with均匀分布的脂肪花纹，入口即化，價格卻比神戶牛或松阪牛實惠許多。
地址：廣島縣神石高原町星降る裡
交通：從「JR福山站」或「JR三次站」開車約60分鐘，無公共交通直達，建議自駕
參考預算：溫泉設施¥500-1,200，和牛晚餐¥3,000-5,000
推薦目的地四：尾道水道與千光寺山
尾道是廣島縣另一個極具個性的城市，與大阪、九州的門司港並列為日本三大斜坡城市。從廣島市區搭乘JR山陽線約50分鐘可抵達，這裡的巷弄充滿了藝術氣息，貓咪散步於斜坡之間，是貓奴旅客的天堂。
千光寺山是尾道的象徵，搭乘纜車登頂後可以俯瞰瀨戶內海與尾道市區，景色開闊。山腰的「貓の細道」（貓的細道）上有許多貓咪藝術裝置與壁畫，適合慢慢散步探索。尾道 также以「尾道拉麵」聞名，湯頭使用小魚乾與雞骨熬製，清爽不膩，配上粗麵條與叉燒，是在地人的日常美味。坡道上的咖啡店「cafe on the hill」可以同時享受咖啡與海景，是歇腳的好去處。
地址：廣島縣尾道市東御所町（千光寺山纜車站）
交通：JR山陽線「尾道站」步行約15分鐘至纜車站
參考預算：纜車來回¥1,000，拉麵¥800-1,200，咖啡¥500-800
開放時間：纜車09:00-17:30（依季節調整）
推薦目的地五：吳市與海上科學館
吳市曾是日本海軍的重要基地，現在則以海上自衛隊與造船業聞名。吳市的「海上科學館」（ますみ棧橋）展示了舊日本海軍的潛水艇「伊400型」的部分構件，這是世界上唯一公開展示的潛艦。館內還有海上自衛隊的展示區域，對軍事或造船有興趣的旅客會覺得很有看頭。
吳市附近的「Kure Port Museum」可以參觀舊海軍工廠的遺址，並欣賞瀨戶內海的海景。吳市的另一個亮點是「吳海軍咖哩」——這是舊海軍時代流傳至今的咖哩食譜，口味溫和順口，配上大量的蔬菜與馬鈴薯，是體驗海軍歷史的另類方式。
地址：廣島縣吳市寶町5-20（海上科學館）
交通：JR吳線「吳站」步行約15分鐘
參考預算：海上科學館參觀¥600，吳海軍咖哩¥1,000-1,500
開放時間：09:00-17:00（週一休息）
實用資訊總整理
從廣島市區出發的一日遊，交通方式建議根據目的地選擇：吳線可抵達竹原、吳市與大久野島（至廣島港轉船），山陽線可至尾道。自駕則適合神石高原鄉與其他偏遠景點，廣島機場有租車服務。
廣島縣的旅遊淡旺季明顯：春季（3-5月）有宮島的櫻花與瀨戶內海的藝術季預熱；夏季（7-8月）最適合海灘活動與戶外探險，但須注意颱風季節的影響；秋季（10-11月）是楓葉旺季，竹原與神石高原色彩繽紛；冬季（12-2月）雖然較冷，但牡蠣產季的美食價值最高，且遊客較少。
語言方面，主要景點都有英文標示，但小型店家可能僅有日文。Miyajima、Okunoshima、Onomichi等熱門地點的官方網站提供多語言服務，建議提前查詢。
在地達人的隱藏技巧
第一，別只在宮島吃牡蠣。廣島縣的牡蠣產量佔日本全國六成以上，竹原、吳市的牡蠣小屋CP值更高，而且能體驗更在地的氛圍。
第二，善用「広電」（廣島電鐵）的路面電車網路。廣島市區的電鐵系統發達，票價便宜又能深入巷弄，是探索廣島的有效工具。
第三，避開人潮的秘訣是「逆向操作」。宮島的退潮時段（約傍晚）遊客較少，可以獨自欣賞大鳥居的完整姿態；尾道的清晨與傍晚光線柔和，照片效果最佳。
第四，廣島的「生土特產品」值得一試。柿子、桃子、柑橘等水果在地的伴手禮選擇豐富，且價格合理。
第五，安全方面，廣島縣整體旅遊安全水平高，但夏季需注意海邊安全與防曬，冬季山區可能積雪需備妥防滑輪胎。
