Hiroshima's scenic attractions go far beyond the well-known Atomic Bomb Memorial and Miyajima. The winding coastline of the prefecture is dotted with countless unspoiled harbor towns and art islands. Rent a car, depart from Hiroshima city, head east along the sea breeze of the Seto Inland Sea, cross sea bridges, explore Edo-style harbor towns, and stumble upon art installations—this is the most authentic way to experience Hiroshima.
Hiroshima Prefecture is located in western Honshu, where the Seto Inland Sea cuts the prefecture into an east-west belt of sea. The sea here is different from the turbulent Pacific—the inland sea's waves are calm as a mirror, with大小岛屿点缀其间，形成所谓「岛屿千本」的独特景观 Most scenic attractions are concentrated along the southern coastline, from west to east: Miyajima, Onomichi, Tomo-no-ura, Ohmishima and Okunoshima, each with distinctly different characters.
Those who drive to Hiroshima are mostly drawn to that exhilarating feeling of crossing sea bridges between islands. The Seto Inland Sea's numerous islands are connected by bridges—the Nishiseto Expressway (also known as the Seto Inland Sea Island Ring Road) is one of Japan's most famous driving routes, crossing seven islands with a total length of about 60 km, with multiple observation decks and rest stops along the way. Since the entire route opened in 1999, travel time between islands has been significantly reduced, and remote islands that were previously only accessible by ferry have become new favorites for self-drive travelers.
The first recommendation is Onomichi, this compact port city allows you to explore the city center on foot from JR Onomichi Station. Onomichi's charm lies in its preservation of both harbor functions and everyday life—fishing boats docked at the waterfront, old houses built along the slopes, and cat murals scattered on walls create an unpretentious beauty that hasn't been overly touristified. The Senko-ji temple approach is Onomichi's most representative trail, and from the top you can overlook the entire Onomichi Harbor and the Seto Inland Sea; on clear days you can even see the mountains of Shikoku in the distance. Another highlight of Onomichi is the cats—these aren't tourist attractions but actual residents living in the alleyways. According to the local tourism association, there are about 200 street cats in Onomichi, and many travelers come specifically for this. There are several old coffee shops near the Senko-ji approach, including "Coffee & Bake Moke" famous for its self-roasted coffee and handmade desserts, just a three-minute walk from the foot of Senko-ji.
The second recommendation is Tomo-no-ura, this ancient port保留了江戶時代港町風情，至今仍被列為重要傳統建造物群儲存地區 Tomo-no-ura's development dates back to the Heian period, and as the gateway to the Seto Inland Sea it was once a busy transportation hub. Modern port facilities are just hundreds of meters from the old street, creating a powerful juxtaposition of old and new. Near the harbor there's "Tomo-no-ura Onsen," a sand bath hot spring dug directly on the beach, where visitors can lie on the sand and have staff cover them with hot sand—Japan's only coastal sand bath. The fee is ¥1,500 for adults and ¥800 for children, open from 9 AM to 6 PM. Tomo-no-ura is less famous than Onomichi, with fewer foreign tourists, which is actually its biggest advantage—you can stroll through the ancient harbor town, enjoy local ramen at the old shop, without fighting crowds for photo opportunities.
The third recommendation is Ohmishima, this small island has long been talked about among art lovers. The island's "Tobe-yaki" is a famous ceramics production area in Shikiko, with colorful ceramic works scattered throughout studios and coffee shops on the island. The "Setouchi International Art Festival" starting in 2010 brought Ohmishima to the international stage, with artists' works integrated into everyday scenes on the island—washing machines topped with giant ceramics, public benches turned into installations; this "art is life" philosophy is a common feature of the Seto Inland Sea islands. The island has an "Toyo Ito Architecture Museum," the only permanent exhibition space of master architect Toyo Ito in Japan, made of glass and steel, where you can feel the dialogue between light and the sea from inside. Admission is ¥1,000, open from 10 AM to 5 PM (closed Mondays).
The fourth recommendation is Okunoshima, this small island has another more familiar name in Chinese communities—"Rabbit Island." The island is home to hundreds of wild rabbits, these rabbits are descendants of experimental rabbits from the 1970s; after the experiments ended, the rabbits were left on the island to breed on their own, and have now become the island's biggest attraction. Visitors can interact with rabbits at the island's "Rabbit Paradise," purchasing special rabbit food (¥200) for close contact. Another important historical background of Okunoshima is that there was a poison gas factory on the island—during WWII, Japan secretly produced chemical weapons here, and after the war these facilities were demolished, leaving only a memorial hall to remind people of the lessons of war. The contrast between rabbits and the shadow of war gives this island a complex and profound emotional tension. To reach Okunoshima, take a ferry from Tadami Port, about 15 minutes each way, round-trip fare ¥1,200.
In terms of practical information, driving is the most flexible option when traveling from Hiroshima city to the above destinations. There are multiple car rental companies in Hiroshima, and Toyota Rent-A-Car Hiroshima Station Front has excellent airport transfer services, with daily rental for a mid-size car costing approximately ¥8,000-12,000. If not driving, you can use the JR Sanyo Main Line and JR Kabe Line; from Onomichi to Tomo-no-ura, buses run approximately every 30 minutes. Hiroshima's expressways use ETC, and the Seto Inland Sea section has higher tolls—a full loop can exceed ¥5,000. For accommodation, business hotels near Onomichi and Miyajima cost ¥8,000-15,000 per night; if you want to experience a traditional inn, you can choose a ryokan in Tomo-no-ura with one night and two meals for approximately ¥20,000-30,000.
Travel tips: Hiroshima's scenic attractions are suitable for a flexible two-to-three day itinerary; it's recommended to confirm the opening hours of your destinations before setting out. The full Senko-ji approach in Onomichi takes about 30 minutes, so wear comfortable shoes. Seto Inland Sea weather changes quickly—during the rainy season (June-July) and typhoon season (August-September), pay attention to weather forecasts. Autumn (October-November) is the most recommended time to visit, with stable weather and art festivals usually held during this period. If time permits, taking a ferry from Onomichi to Imabari in Shikoku is also a classic route, and the sunset view from the sea bridge is considered one of the most beautiful scenes in the Seto Inland Sea.
