In this guide, we introduce 7 carefully selected Hiroshima okonomiyaki spots by area—from around Hiroshima Station and Peace Memorial Park to Okonomimura and beloved local institutions. Whether it’s your first time in Hiroshima or your fifth, this guide will help you find the perfect plate without getting lost.

How to Get to Hiroshima

Hiroshima Station is a major Shinkansen stop, making it easy to access from across Japan.

What Is Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki? How Is It Different from Osaka’s?

The defining feature of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is its layered preparation method. Osaka-style okonomiyaki mixes all ingredients into the batter before cooking, but in Hiroshima, a thin crepe-like base is topped with a large amount of cabbage, bean sprouts, pork belly, tempura bits, and yakisoba noodles (or sometimes udon), all stacked in layers and finished with an egg on top. The local style is to cut it into bite-sized pieces with a spatula and eat it directly from the hot teppan grill.

The final touch is Hiroshima’s famous Otafuku sauce. This rich, sweet-savory sauce pairs beautifully with the crunch of vegetables and the crisp texture of the noodles. Another reason people love Hiroshima okonomiyaki is that one plate gives you vegetables, meat, and carbs in a satisfying balance.

Near Hiroshima Station | Great for Eating Right After Arrival

1. Reichan | A Long-Established Favorite Connected Directly to Hiroshima Station

If you want to eat okonomiyaki as soon as you arrive at Hiroshima Station, Reichan is one of the best choices. Located inside ekie DINING by JR Hiroshima Station, it’s easy to reach right after exiting the ticket gates. This long-established restaurant has built its reputation on a distinctive grilling technique and a commitment to fresh cabbage.

At the counter seats, you can watch skilled chefs prepare each okonomiyaki right in front of you, which makes it especially fun for first-time visitors. Takeout is also available, and you can reserve a pickup time by phone. It’s a classic “first meal in Hiroshima” choice, especially popular with travelers using spare time between Shinkansen connections.

2. Denkousekka Ekimae Hiroba Branch | Fluffy Dome-Shaped Okonomiyaki with a Modern Twist

Just a 5-minute walk from Hiroshima Station, Denkousekka is famous for its dome-shaped okonomiyaki, which turns the traditional Hiroshima style into something visually striking and uniquely fluffy. Instead of pressing the vegetables flat on the grill, the ingredients are steamed while holding air inside, creating a light texture you won’t find elsewhere.

The restaurant is also particular about ingredients, using Hiroshima-produced fresh noodles from Isono Seimen and locally sourced bean sprouts from Tanaka Shoten. It’s a favorite on social media thanks to its dramatic appearance and satisfying flavor. If you want a photogenic Hiroshima okonomiyaki experience, this is the place.

Peace Memorial Park / Hatchobori Area | Perfect with Sightseeing

3. Nagataya | Just 10 Seconds from Peace Memorial Park

Located right by Peace Memorial Park, Nagataya is in one of the most convenient sightseeing locations in Hiroshima. Its signature menu item, Nagataya-yaki, is a luxurious version of Hiroshima okonomiyaki loaded with pork, egg, shrimp, squid tempura, green onions, and yakisoba noodles—an excellent way to taste Hiroshima’s signature flavors all in one plate.

The restaurant uses Hiroshima’s iconic Otafuku sauce, and the noodles are fresh Isono Seimen noodles pre-seasoned with tonkotsu broth. The sweetness of the cabbage, the fragrant noodles, and the mellow egg create rich layers of flavor in every bite. Lunch hours often come with long lines, but the turnover is fairly quick and well worth the wait.

4. Micchan Sohonten Hatchobori Main Branch | The Original Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki Pioneer

No discussion of Hiroshima okonomiyaki history is complete without Micchan Sohonten. The story began in 1950, when founder Mitsuo Ise opened a street stall called “Mikasaya.” The now-standard Hiroshima style with noodles inside and sweet-savory okonomi sauce is widely said to have been developed here.

The Hatchobori main branch is conveniently located just a 4-minute walk from the Hatchobori streetcar stop. You can enjoy this time-honored taste, passed down for more than half a century, in a modern and clean dining space. If you want to experience the “origin” of Hiroshima okonomiyaki, this is one of the best places to start.

Okonomimura | A Multi-Story Okonomiyaki Building with 25 Shops

5. Okonomimura | The Best Place to Compare Different Styles in One Spot

Located in Shintenchi, the heart of Hiroshima’s entertainment district, Okonomimura is a true okonomiyaki theme park. On the 2nd to 4th floors of the building, you’ll find around 25 okonomiyaki restaurants, each with its own style and personality. The biggest appeal is being able to compare different flavors in one place. Another plus for travelers is that reservations are not required, so it’s easy to drop in casually.

Here are a few popular shops inside Okonomimura:

Momotaro (2F) is a long-established restaurant founded in 1961, known for its signature “Momotaro Deluxe,” topped generously with pork, egg, shrimp, squid, and green onions. Hassho (3F) is loved for its thin batter, crisp noodles, and use of organic vegetables, creating a simple yet elegant flavor that highlights the quality of the ingredients. Yamachan (3F), founded in 1965, continues to serve a classic Hiroshima taste and is especially popular for its traditional yakisoba-filled style.

Best Local Favorites Loved by Hiroshima Regulars

6. Yagenbori Hassho | The Legendary Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Worth Waiting in Line For

Among serious Hiroshima okonomiyaki fans, Yagenbori Hassho is often spoken of as the best of the best. It has been selected for Tabelog’s “Top 100 Okonomiyaki Restaurants” multiple times and has also earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. On weekends, waiting more than two hours is not unusual.

Its biggest strength is the overwhelming amount of cabbage. The cabbage is steamed slowly in a towering pile, bringing out its natural sweetness, which then balances perfectly with the crisp noodles and savory pork belly. Each okonomiyaki is cooked carefully over time, resulting in a level of flavor and texture that feels truly special. Since it opens from late afternoon, it works best as an early dinner stop. English menu available.

7. LOPEZ | A Unique Yokogawa Favorite with a Latin Twist

Located in the Yokogawa area, LOPEZ is a one-of-a-kind okonomiyaki restaurant run by Mr. Lopez, who comes from Latin America, together with his wife. What makes this place even more interesting is that Mr. Lopez trained at the famous Yagenbori Hassho. He combines authentic Hiroshima technique with a Latin-inspired touch, creating a style that has earned devoted fans among both locals and international travelers.

One of the house specialties is okonomiyaki with udon noodles topped with jalapeños. The spicy kick and fresh aroma match surprisingly well with the sweet-savory okonomiyaki sauce. The restaurant is small and counter-only, so long lines are common, but the food and warm personality of Lopez himself make it a memorable Hiroshima dining experience.

MAP

Conclusion

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki began in the street-stall culture of the 1950s and has grown into one of Hiroshima’s most iconic soul foods, beloved by travelers from all over the world. You can grab a quick and satisfying plate at Reichan right after arriving at the station, explore the roots of Hiroshima okonomiyaki at Micchan Sohonten, wait in line at Hassho for a truly elite version, or enjoy comparing multiple styles at Okonomimura.

Between visits to major attractions such as Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine), make time for Hiroshima’s teppan-grilled specialty. In every plate of okonomiyaki, you’ll find a taste of Hiroshima’s history, culture, and local pride.

The clear blue sea, the impressive scenery woven by numerous islands, and the local gourmet food and warm people you meet on each island. A journey away from the urban hustle, riding a bicycle while feeling the sea breeze, will surely become an unforgettable memory. So, let’s embark on a cycling trip feeling the wind of the Seto Inland Sea!

Tours are available here.

What is the Shimanami Kaido? A Detailed Explanation of the Cyclist’s Holy Land

The Shimanami Kaido is a cycling path built alongside the “Nishiseto Expressway,” which connects Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture. It connects six islands (Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima, Oshima) with seven bridges, stretching approximately 70km in total. Along the way, a blue line called “Blue Line” is drawn on the road to guide cyclists without getting lost, allowing even beginners to enjoy cycling safely.

Safe for Beginners! The Charms of Shimanami Kaido Cycling

You might be wondering, “Can I really cycle 70km?” But the Shimanami Kaido has many features that make it enjoyable even for beginners.

• Few ups and downs: Most sections are flat, and the inclines on the bridges have gentle slopes designed specifically for bicycles.
• Excellent rental cycle options: There are rental cycle terminals at multiple locations, and one-way drop-off (for an extra fee) is also possible. You can choose to cycle just one way according to your physical strength and time.
• Support system: Rest areas, toilets, and places to buy refreshments are set up at appropriate intervals. There are also “Cycle Oases” to assist in case of trouble.
• Option to leave mid-way: If you get tired or run out of time, you can use buses or boats from each island to get to your destination.

Enjoy the Shimanami Kaido with Model Courses!

One-Day Enjoyment Course (Onomichi to Ikuchijima Round Trip approx. 40km)

This course is recommended for beginners or those with limited time. You’ll cross from Onomichi to Mukaishima, pass through Innoshima, and cycle to Ikuchijima and back. On Ikuchijima, you can visit Kosanji Temple, home to the “Hill of Eternal Hope,” a spectacular art space made of white Italian marble, and enjoy local gourmet dishes featuring lemons.

• Highlights: Kosanji Temple – Hill of Eternal Hope, Setoda Lemon Gourmet
• Duration: Approx. 4-6 hours (including sightseeing and breaks)

The Hill Of Hope(Miraishin No Oka), An Instagrammable Spot in HiroshimaThe white world reminiscent of Santorini Island in Greece is a popul...

1-Night, 2-Day Relaxed Traverse Course (Onomichi to Imabari approx. 70km)

For those who want to cycle the entire Shimanami Kaido route, a 1-night, 2-day course is recommended. On the first day, cycle to around Omishima and stay overnight. On the second day, head for Imabari. You can leisurely enjoy the unique culture and food of each island along the way.

• Day 1 Highlights: Tatara Bridge’s “singing dragon” experience, Oyamazumi Shrine, Hakata Island’s salt soft-serve ice cream
• Day 2 Highlights: Dynamic scenery of Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, Imabari Towel Museum

Shimanami Kaido’s Highlights & Scenic Spots

The Shimanami Kaido is not just about cycling; the unique spots dotted across each island are also a major attraction.

• Tatara Bridge: One of the world’s leading cable-stayed bridges. You can experience the “singing dragon” phenomenon by clapping your hands on the bridge.
• Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge: A triple suspension bridge spanning approximately 4km. It’s the world’s first triple suspension bridge, and its grandeur is breathtaking. The sunset view from the bridge is exceptional.
• Kosanji Temple – Hill of Eternal Hope: An Instagrammable art space made of white marble on Ikuchijima.
• Dolphin Farm Shimanami: A facility on Hakatajima where you can interact with dolphins.
• Oyamazumi Shrine: Located on Omishima, it is the head shrine of Oyamazumi and Mishima shrines nationwide. Numerous national treasure-class armor and swords donated by samurai warriors are displayed here.

Preparation and Precautions for Shimanami Kaido Cycling

Shimanami Kaido Rental Cycle Information

A Special Trip to Japan on the “Shimanami Kaido”

Cycling the Shimanami Kaido is not just a sports activity. It’s a journey that stimulates all five senses, allowing you to connect with the beautiful nature of the Seto Inland Sea, the history and culture of its islands, and the warmth of the people who live there. From beginners to advanced cyclists, everyone will find their own way to enjoy it.

Forget the daily hustle and bustle, cut through the wind on your bicycle, and ride through the spectacular scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. This unique experience is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Japan. We highly recommend trying Shimanami Kaido cycling on your next visit to Japan!

This white marble garden covers an area of 5,000 square meters.

Each of the marble towers and paths created by sculptor Ittou Kuetani are filled with thoughtfulness, and there is plenty to see!

In addition, you can spend an elegant time in the marble cafe “Cafe Cuore” on the premises.

The admission fee to Mirai Shin Oka also includes admission to the Kozanji Temple precincts and the Kongo Museum, where you can see the Kozanji family’s art collection, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit.

Overview of Mirai Shin no Oka

Mirai Shin no Oka is located on Ikuchijima Island in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Ikuchijima is an important island on the Shimanami Sea Route, and in the old days it developed as a base for the navy, which grew in power in the Seto Inland Sea.

Today, the island is known for its fishing industry and cultivation of lemons and navel oranges.

The Setoda Biennale, an art project that started in the late 1980s, has transformed the island into an “art museum for the whole island,” with the Kosanji Museum, the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, which displays the works of Hirayama Ikuo, a painter from the island, and many other artworks scattered throughout the island.

The most famous of these is “The Hill Of Hope” (The Hill Of Hope).

The 5,000-square-meter garden is lined with marble sculptures created by the world-renowned sculptor, Ittou Kuetani.

At the age of just 20, Kazuto Kuetani was selected for the Nitten exhibition, and since then he has been selected eight times in a row.

He is currently active mainly in Italy, and is an international artist who once had an audience with the Pope at the Vatican Palace.

The Hill Of Hope is made of marble mined in Cuttura, Italy, where Kazuto Kaitani has his workshop, transported by container ship, and displayed as various monuments in the plaza.

At the “The Hill Of Hope” visitors can not only enjoy looking at the artworks, but can actually touch them with their hands and play with them in harmony with nature.

Of course, you can also enter the pure white sculptures and take photos of them.

History of “Hill of Future Hearts

Kozanji Temple is a temple of the Honganji sect of the Jodo Shinshu sect.

The founder of the temple is Kozo Kozanji, an engineer and businessman who used to run a large special steel pipe manufacturing company in Osaka.

Kozanji is also known as the “Nikko of the West,” a place where various arts, crafts, and cultural assets are gathered.

The temple’s precincts are lined with the Koyomon Gate, a replica of Nikko Toshogu’s Yomei-mon Gate, and the main hall, a replica of Byodoin’s Phoenix Hall.

15 buildings are registered as Tangible Cultural Properties, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Seto Inland Sea.

As part of its efforts to promote artistic activities on the island, the temple started construction of “Miraishin No Oka”, which is now a popular tourist spot visited by many people.

How to get to Miraishin no Oka

Car

To get to Kozanji Temple, where Miraishin No Oka is located, drive from Onomichi Interchange or Fukuyama Nishi Interchange via Nishi-Seto Onomichi Interchange and Ikuchijima Kita Interchange.

It takes about 13 minutes from the Ikuchijima Kita Interchange.

If you use the Shimanami Kaido Highway, it is about 13 minutes from the Imabari Interchange via the Ikuchijima Minami Interchange.

Taxi

It takes about 40 minutes from Onomichi Station, about 32 minutes from Shin-Onomichi Station, and about 50 minutes from Fukuyama Station.

Ferry/Boat

You can also take a boat, which takes about 40 minutes by regular boat from Onomichi Port, about 25 minutes by rapid train from Mihara Port, and about 10 minutes by foot from Setoda Port.

From Mihara Sunami Port, it is about 28 minutes by ferry, and a 13-minute walk via Sawa Port.

Others

Or, the island bus from Setoda BS is about 20 minutes away.

If you are coming from Imabari or Matsuyama, the bus is a convenient way to access the island.

“Miraishin no Oka” and Instagram

When you actually visit “Miraishin No Oka”, you will be amazed at the majestic white marble sculptures that cover the entire area.

It is sometimes compared to the Greek island of Santorini, which is also lined with white buildings, but while most of the buildings on Santorini are houses, the buildings on Miraishin no Oka are huge columns, stairs, and monuments.

It is rather majestic, reminiscent of the huge ruins of Greece.

In addition, the Seto Inland Sea where Miraishin No Oka is located has a blue sky, and the contrast between the white of the sculptures and the blue of the sky is so beautiful that it exploded in popularity on Instagram.

Even now, it is gaining popularity among many people in search of Instagrammable photos.

Photo spots at the Hill of Future Spirit

There are many monuments and objects with different themes in the Miraishin No Oka.

One of the most popular photo spots is the “Komei no Tou(Tower of Light),” which stands at the highest point of the hill.

The Tower of Light is a popular place for couples to stand under the tower and take pictures with the sky in the background.

The “Kaze no shiki(Four Seasons of Wind)” is also popular for those who want to take a different kind of photo.

These marble screens represent the winds of the four seasons, each with its own image to match the season.

This marble folding screen has a hole in it through which you can see the sea of the Seto Inland Sea.

This is a place where you can take a variety of Instagrammable photos depending on your ideas.

In addition to this, “Miraishin No Oka” is made of marble everywhere, so there is no shortage of photo spots to take pictures.

Popular cafes in Miraishin Hill

If you visit Miraishin No Oka, you should definitely go to the cafe, Cafe Cuore, which looks like a marble border.

Not only the exterior of the building, but also the inside of the cafe is made of pure white marble, and the view of the Seto Inland Sea from there is like the Mediterranean or Aegean Sea.

The furniture in the cafe is also an original design by Kazuto Kaitani.

The grapes carved into the marble and the figure of Venus, the goddess of beauty, make it look like a restaurant in a high-end European resort.

You can enjoy cappuccino, cafe au lait, and Italian beer, but what you must try is the menu using the island’s specialty citrus fruits.

In particular, the lemon squash here is a real treat with lemon pulp.

The lemon squash made with Setoda lemons, a specialty of the island, is a refreshing drink with a unique aroma and taste that you won’t find anywhere else.

The gelato here is also a popular menu item.

You can find the standard ones such as vanilla and green tea, but the citrus gelato and sorbet made from the famous summer tangerines are also exceptional.

When the weather is nice, the terrace is a great place to sit.

Spending time under a white parasol looking out at the marble garden is a great way to feel like you are at a resort.

10 Recommended Spots in Hiroshima, Avoid Population Density for COVIDWhat are the best places to avoid dense travel in Hiroshima? Whet...

Whether you want to enjoy activities in nature or take a stroll through the city, where you can travel without being dense.

Just make sure you follow your new travel style by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and staggering your visit if it’s crowded!

1. Shimanami Kaido / Onomichi City

The Shimanami Kaido, which is attracting attention from cyclists not only in Japan but also around the world, is perfect for a trip without the dense.

You can also rent bicycles that can be dropped off at various locations along the Shimanami Kaido, making cycling a more casual experience.

2. Itsukushima Shrine / Hatsukaichi City

Itsukushima Shrine, located on the World Heritage Site of Miyajima island, is a popular sightseeing spot that should not be missed during your visit to Hiroshima.

In addition to worshipping at Itsukushima Shrine, there are many other things to do, such as eating at the Omotesando shopping street and climbing the sacred mountain, Mt. Misen

The most common way to get to Miyajima is by ferry from Miyajima-guchi, but it is also recommended to consider a less crowded route such as a high-speed boat from Ujina Port in Hiroshima City or a pirate ship from the outlet mall Marina Hop.

For the time being, the Marina Hop Miyajima service only operates on weekends and holidays.

3. Peace Memorial Park / Hiroshima City

The Peace Memorial Park is a large park in the center of Hiroshima City, built in the hope of world peace.

The park is home to the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, and is visited by tourists from all over the world.

If you stand in front of the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims, you can see the “Peace Light” and the Atomic Bomb Dome lined up in a straight line across the roof of the Cenotaph.

4. Hiroshima Castle / Hiroshima City

Hiroshima Castle, built by the Mori clan, the hegemons of Sanin and Sanyo, is a very tall and powerful castle with a total height of about 39 meters.

The current building is a reconstruction of the exterior after it was destroyed by the atomic bomb.

The best time to enjoy Hiroshima Castle without the dense crowd is in the evening when there are fewer people.

If you stroll around the grounds after visiting the castle tower, you can see the beautiful reflection of the castle lit up in the moat.

5. Array Karasukojima / Kure City

Kure region, once called the best military port in the East, is still home to the Kure base of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the port of Kure is lined with a variety of ships, including submarines and destroyers.

Array Karasukojima Park, located south of Kure Port, is the only park in Japan where you can see an active submarine up close.

The bus stop named “Submarine Force Mae(sen-suitai-mae)” is also unique to Kure.

It is also a great place to relax in the park with Kure’s famous melon bread in hand.

6. Teishakukyo Gorge/ Shobara City

Teishakukyo Gorge, a national scenic beauty, is an 18-km-long canyon located in the center of the Chugoku Mountains.

The huge natural bridge “Onbashi”, which was formed by the erosion of limestone caves and mountain streams, is a representative scenic spot of Teishakukyo and is one of the “three major natural bridges in the world” along with Prebisch in Switzerland and Rock Bridge in the United States.

It is one of the three largest natural bridges in the world.

According to folklore, the bridge is said to have been built by an ogre, and when you look up at the bridge from the downstream side, you can see the unevenness of the bridge like the face of an ogre, which is very impressive.

7.Kosanji Temple / Onomichi City

Kosanji Temple, located on Ikuchijima Island along the Shimanami Sea Route, is a great place to see a replica of the five-story pagoda of Muroji Temple in Nara and a replica of Nikko Toshogu’s Yomei-mon Gate.

Fifteen of the halls and towers have been designated as “Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.

At the top of the site, there is a marble garden called “Mirai Shin no Oka,” which is a popular photo spot.

The Hill Of Hope(Miraishin No Oka), An Instagrammable Spot in HiroshimaThe white world reminiscent of Santorini Island in Greece is a popul...

8. Sera Kogen Farm / Sera Town

Sera Kogen Farm is a vast farm facility where you can enjoy seasonal flowers such as tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, dahlias in autumn, and candlelight nights in winter.

Each season’s elaborate decorations are rapidly becoming famous as an instagramable spot.

You can enter the park with your pet, making it a great spot to take cute pictures of your dog.

The opening period of the park changes each season, so please check the opening date before you go.

9. Takehara Townscape Preservation District / Takehara City

The Takehara Townscape Preservation District, which is full of atmosphere as if you were transported back to the Edo period (1603-1868), is a tourist spot where you can see the residences of wealthy merchants who flourished in the salt and sake industries, as well as historic temples.

It is often talked about as a filming location for many movies, such as the NHK TV series “Massan,” the movie “Rurou Kenshin,” commercials and anime.

It is also a popular course to visit together with Okunojima, a paradise for rabbits, located in Chukai station, about 10 minutes by car.

Going to "Rabbit Island"! How to enjoy on Okunoshima Island, Hiroshima-PrefectureA small "Rabbit Island", floating on the Seto Inland Sea, where it i...

10. Tomonoura / Fukuyama City

Tomonoura, which flourished in the Edo period as a port for waiting for the tide, is often used as a location for movies and TV dramas due to its retro landscape.

In addition to the filming locations, there are many other interesting places to visit, such as Japan’s largest standing night light that has remained since the Edo period, temples and shrines, and Sensuijima, a power spot where you can see Japan’s only five-colored rocks.

The area is large and not too crowded, making it a good spot for a relaxing stroll.

These are the best sightseeing spots to avoid dense on your trip to Hiroshima!

The recommended sightseeing spots in Hiroshima introduced here are all places where you can avoid the densities because they are mostly outdoors.

You can also make your sightseeing in Hiroshima even more comfortable by finding the best means of transportation and time of day to get there.

Please enjoy your trip to Hiroshima by paying attention to infection control measures, such as checking the website in advance for precautions and business hours.

This information is current as of June 2021.

Please check the official website for the latest information.

Why don’t you visit for a healing trip to Okunoshima Island, Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture, that has such a nickname?

I will introduce the way to enjoy 100% a time that you can play with cute bunnies together with manners that you need to know!

“Rabbit Island”, Okunoshima Island, is a resort island floating on the Seto Inland Sea.

Located in Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture, Okunoshima Island was deleted from a map during the world war as once an island of poisonous gas factory.

In recent years, there are many rabbits are living, and many people are visiting there as “Rabbit Island” of healing.

I will introduce the way to enjoy 100% a charm of Okunoshima Island that has been revived as the national park!

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How to go Rabbit Isalnd

You need to take ferry to go to the island from JR Tadanoumi Station.

From Tadanoumi Station, it takes about 15 minutes to Okunoshima Island.

Please check official website for more detail.

Here is the time table of ferry.

No cars allowed on the island!  Let’s enjoy walking!

To go to Rabbit Island, you will take a ferry from Tadanoumiko Port of Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture if from Kansai/ Hiroshima direction, and will take it from Sakariko Port located in Ehime-Prefecture if from Shikoku direction.  Because a car is not allowed for running on the island, if you will land by car, you will need to park it in a parking place near a pier.  Please coordinate your shoes easy to walk one.

When you get on a ferry that sails on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, you will enjoy a bit of cruising feeling.

As soon as you land on the island, you will see rabbits right away.

Manners

If you see a rabbit, you will become wishing to follow it unconsciously, but please be patient!

Never to force anything, such as hugging it and chasing it!

Use wisely a free shuttle bus service to Kyuka-Mura Village!

A free shuttle bus service is operated from Okunoshima Sanbashi Pier until the main building of Kyuka-Mura Village.

You may use it without reservation, so let’s use it well when going around the island.

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Rabbits’ paradise. Let’s try going toward a lawn square!

One of the spots where many cute bunnies are crowded is a lawn square in front of Kyuka-Mura village.

There are some times when friendly rabbits come close, so it is the place popular for tourists.

But, as there are also many rabbit excrement, so please be careful.

Looks like many rabbits will come running close with saying “Please give me food”, doesn’t it?

Feeding rabbits. Good chance to see a cute expression in very close distance!

A chance to play with rabbits is, whatever is said, a feeding time!

It is also recommended that prepare cabbages and carrots for food of rabbits before landing on the island and bring them.

Manners

Not good if a rabbit will get in bad health!

Please be careful not to give food that is not suitable as rabbits’ food, including bread and snacks.

When you go there, you shall go bringing about five bags of cut vegetables (green onions, Chinese chives, onions are not suitable) of about Yen 100 per bag that is sold in a supermarket.

Review from Japanese tourist site

Cycling slowly so that not to occur any clash accident!

You may bring in your favorite bicycle, but as a rental bicycle is prepared at Kyuka-Mura village, it is also recommended to go around at the speed of a bicycle slowly.

Manners

What you need to be careful about when you are cycling is accidental contact with rabbits living on the island

Let’s pay your attention around you for not making rabbits injured, of course, for not making them lost their lives, and for not making injured a person riding a bicycle and other tourists!

Simulated experience of rabbits’ feeling with ears of rabbits!?

As if a family of rabbits, there are statues of rabbits’ ears of various sizes of big and small along the coastline.

These are what is called sound collectors, and when you set your head inside of it, you can hear sounds collected by the sound collectors.

It looks that you can enjoy feeling as if you were a rabbit, sounds including the sound of the wind that goes through the island and a water sound of ripples of the sea.

Statues of rabbits’ ears lining up toward the gentle Seto Inland Sea.

Wonder what kind of feelings you can enjoy?

Only one restaurant!  Bringing a lunchbox is also recommended.

The only dining place on the island is a restaurant inside the Kyuka-Mura Village facility.

During the daytime, tourists including non-resident of accommodation are possible to use, and you can enjoy local signature menus that are used local foodstuff including octopus and oysters.

Also, it is good that you go prepared a lunch box or bought food before landing on the island.

Usagi no Ku-sofuto

A soft served ice cream called “Usagi no Ku-sofuto”.  Why don’t you try eating for making a memory of fun?

* “Usagi no Ku-sofuto” implies a soft served ice cream that looks like poops of rabbits.  Ku-sofuto in Japanese does not mean anything, but it can be understood as “Ku” and “Soft (served)”, and “Kuso” means poops in Japanese (not a polite word).

Soaking in hot spring on the Rabbit island, and staying at the hotel.

Only one accommodation facility on the island, “Kyuka-Mura Village Okunoshima Island”, is located in a superb place where you can overview the sea, and you can stay relaxed and slowly.

There is the lawn square where rabbits gather in front of your eyes.

Among “Fureai(touch rabbits) Programs” for residents of accommodation, there is a program called “A morning walk meeting: Feeling the season with bunnies”.

You can spend your time of the fresh morning, bathing the morning sunbeam, and observing plants of the season and wild rabbits.

A morning walk is also together with a rabbit.

A hot spring bath that you can fully enjoy a resort feeling!

Viewing the coastline, and soaking in a hot spring that is surrounded with palm trees, you seem released also your tired body, don’t you?

Smack your lips with local dishes in a buffet-style for breakfast and dinner!

Very popular is a buffet that lines up various dishes that are used abundantly local foodstuff, including, to begin with, fresh seafood, such as oysters, octopus, and blowfish, and vegetables of the seasons.

After played with rabbits much, it is also good to be healed with delicious slow foods, isn’t it?

You can enjoy as much as you like an octopus dish that is a specialty of Okunoshima Island!

If you wish to get close to European rabbits, camping is also recommended!

There is a camping place by the sea where the Seto Inland Sea expands in front of your eyes.  Staying in a tent that is close to the rabbits’ eyes seems to make an impressive memory, doesn’t it?

It seems that you can observe activities of European rabbits regardless of day or night, doesn’t it?

Playing in the water, while watching a rabbit that resting in shadows of trees!

During summertime, the sea-bathing park and the open-air swimming pool are opened.  Please try enjoying a rare situation that while feeling rabbits near, you can enjoy playing in the water.

An open-air swimming pool that you can view the Seto Inland Sea in front of your eyes.

Learn the history of “the island that was deleted from a map”.

In the Meiji 30s (a decade from 1897),  armed batteries are constructed prepared for the Russo-Japanese War, and since then, Okunoshima Island started recording its name in Japanese history.

As the World War first began, a military facility that manufactured and stored chemical weapons were constructed, and Okunoshima Island was deleted from a map.

Many local people, who worked in the facility, suffered long with health damage after the end of the war.

Also, we should not forget that many people lost their lives by the usage of the chemical weapons that were manufactured here.

As if changing a gentle aspect of the resort island, ruins of the military facility of the former Japan army remain on the island.

Stop by Okunoshima Island Poisonous Gas Archive Museum.

For stopping the history becoming weathered, which once was far from peace, there opened Okunoshima Island Poisonous Gas Archive Museum, and it provides an opportunity for peace learning.

There exhibit items including recorded documents and devices, which were used when poisonous gas was manufactured.  The reason why we can call it “Rabbit Island” today maybe because we are under peace.

Manners that you need to keep when leaving the island!

Don’t throw a rabbit away!

A house rabbit that is not suited to the nature of the island not only cannot eat food but also is bullied by rabbits of the island, and it will lose its life.

Source:  Before playing with rabbits of Okunoshima Island

Make it cleaner than when you arrived!

Littering trash is not only dirtying the island but also causing serious problems for animals that are living on the island, such as eating the trash and tangling fishing lines.  Please stop littering trash.

Source: Requests from rabbits to everyone/ Rabbit Island of the Seto Inland Sea. 

In the end.

If you play with cute bunnies while keeping manners, your daily stress can be healed.  Please make it for your reference when your visit.

Okunoshima Island (Rabbit Island)

Address:Okunoshima, Tadanoumi-Town, Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture