Hiroshima & Around
Welcome to where wooded mountains meet the quiet waters of the Seto Inland Sea. Discover Hiroshima’s island shrines, hidden hot springs, and local delicacies, getting to know an area shaped by resilience and some of western Japan’s most picturesque landscapes.
Discover Hiroshima Through Contemporary Design and Timeless Tea Rituals
Nestled along the gentle shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima’s cultural landscape is shaped as much by artistic innovation as it is by centuries-old traditions. Contemporary architecture rises next to sacred shrines and tranquil tea rooms, creating a destination where modern creativity and Japanese aesthetics can coexist in elegant harmony.
At the forefront of this fusion of the past and future is the Simose Art Museum, a one-of-a-kind waterfront museum recognized with the UNESCO Prix Versailles award for the World's Most Beautiful Museum. Designed by the renowned Pritzker Prize laureate Shigeru Ban, the museum grounds include floating gallery pavilions, reflecting pools, and exclusive light-filled villas. Together, these facilities blur the boundaries between nature, architecture, and art, offering visitors an immersive cultural retreat inspired by the island-dotted scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
Yet Hiroshima’s artistic identity extends beyond the contemporary. Near Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, the samurai tea traditions of the Ueda Soko School preserve a refined philosophy of discipline and hospitality dating back over four centuries. Rooted in the spirit of Japan’s warrior culture, each gesture within the tearoom is deliberate and meaningful, transforming tea into a multifaceted art form.
Together, Hiroshima’s museums, teahouses, gardens, and coastal landscapes help visitors experience the artistic soul of Japan not just as passive observers but as active participants in the atmosphere, rituals, and history of this majestic corner of Japan.
Suggested ItineraryExperience Art, Samurai Tea, and Seaside Serenity Along Hiroshima’s Sacred Coast
Begin your exploration of Hiroshima at the Simose Art Garden Villa, which offers an immersive stay defined by architecture, art, nature, and privacy. This exclusive, light-filled retreat was awarded One Key in the 2025 MICHELIN Key Hotels guide. From this refined sanctuary, guests can step directly into the world of the Simose Art Museum, exploring its striking waterfront galleries designed by Shigeru Ban, and taking part in cultural experiences such as a traditional samurai-style tea ceremony.
From there, cross to the island of Miyajima to encounter another side of Hiroshima’s cultural heritage through the disciplined beauty of the Ueda Soko samurai tea tradition near the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its floating red torii gate. Combined, these experiences help you understand the Hiroshima region through contemporary creativity, centuries-old traditions, craftsmanship, and coastal scenery.
Panoramic Island Views and Outdoor Discoveries Await by the Seto Inland Sea
The mesmerizing seascapes of the Seto Inland Sea make Hiroshima a place unlike anywhere else in Japan. Around Onomichi, countless islands rise from calm blue waters, linked by elegant bridges that have made the region one of the country’s most celebrated cycling destinations. Riders following the famous Shimanami Kaido route pass through fishing towns, citrus groves, hidden beaches, and panoramic lookouts, allowing even first-time riders and families to explore the Seto Inland Sea at a relaxed, leisurely pace. For a more elevated experience, private cruising boats offer a more intimate way to explore the coastline, drifting across calm waters while giving visitors the chance to take in the region's scenery in exclusive privacy.
Elsewhere, Hiroshima’s outdoor experiences call out to more adventure-focused travelers. Forested mountains descend toward tranquil shorelines offering the best of both worlds, while places such as Miyajima combine hiking trails, ancient shrines, and sweeping ocean views into singular experiences that will stay with you forever. All across Hiroshima, the great outdoors can be experienced through adventure, stillness, movement, and a deep connection with the surrounding landscape.
Suggested ItineraryDrink in Onomichi Through Local Sake Culture, Coastal Landscapes, and Island Cycling Routes
This Hiroshima itinerary invites travelers to experience the slower rhythms of the Seto Inland Sea through traditional Japanese hospitality, island scenery, and regional craftsmanship. Begin in Onomichi with a stay at the Michelin-recognized Ryokan Onomichi Nishiyama inn, where tea culture, local artistry, and regional architecture form the heart of an unforgettable retreat. Later, take time to stroll through Onomichi’s historic streets, or consider extending your journey to the premier sake brewing region of Saijo.
The following day, cruise through the island-dotted waters of the Seto Inland Sea and cycle quiet coastal roads across Shimanami Kaido, discovering hidden harbors, panoramic bridges, and the tranquil beauty that defines Hiroshima’s coast.
Centuries of Fermentation Craft Continue to Influence Hiroshima’s Contemporary Food Culture
Hiroshima’s gastronomy is deeply influenced by the brewing traditions and maritime culture of the Seto Inland Sea. In Saijo (part of Higashihiroshima City), widely regarded as one of Japan’s leading sake-producing regions, generations of artisans have refined brewing techniques using exceptionally soft groundwater and carefully cultivated rice to create elegant sake known for its balanced flavors and clarity. Across the region, long-established producers of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and fermented seasonings continue to define the flavors of local Hiroshima cuisine, preserving methods that have evolved with Hiroshima’s centuries-long coastal trading history.
This enduring dedication to craft is also beautifully preserved in the region’s island communities. On Osaki-Kamijima Island, the artisans at the historic Okamoto Soy Sauce Brewery continue to hand-stir rich moromi (unfiltered mash) in century-old cedar barrels, keeping the rare art of all-natural fermentation alive.
These time-honored seasonings seamlessly elevate the region’s contemporary dining scene. In the historic port town of Setoda on Ikuchijima Island, Azumi Setoda, a beautifully restored ryokan, showcases this heritage through refined regional cuisine. Here, the fresh daily catch from the Seto Inland Sea is artfully enhanced with seasonal citrus, homegrown herbs, and a rich bounty of locally sourced ingredients. Paired with fine local sake, every dish offers an authentic taste of place, connecting diners to the region's vibrant maritime legacy.
Suggested ItineraryHiroshima’s Island Hospitality Meets Centuries-Old Soy Sauce Brewing Traditions and Scenic Seascapes
With this itinerary, travelers are in for a slower encounter with the Seto Inland Sea through historic architecture, island hospitality, and traditional brewing culture. Spend the night at Azumi Setoda on charming Ikuchijima, a beautifully restored 19th-century merchant residence where refined design blends with the warmth of a classic ryokan inn.
Wander the quiet harbor town of Setoda, soak in the relaxed rhythm of island life, and dine on seasonal Setouchi cuisine paired with Hiroshima sake. The following day, take a ferry to Osaki-Kamijima island and visit the Okamoto Soy Sauce Brewery for a private introduction to natural soy sauce preparation, learning how cedar barrels, fermentation, and generations of craftsmanship continue to shape the distinctive culinary landscape of the Hiroshima coast.
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