Hiroshima is world famous for its Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Dome, and Miyajima, but there is much more to this prefecture.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Dome are landmarks that serve as a powerful warning from history about the horrors of war and a sobering reminder never to use such weapons again. Yet, Hiroshima has so much more to offer than this, particularly if you’re willing to go off the beaten path. Hiroshima has many attractions and not just the famous floating Torii gate of Miyajima in Hiroshima Bay. As beautiful and iconic as that is, we’re going to focus on lesser-known things to see and do and how best to get around using the prefecture’s train connections and your Japan Rail Pass. Ready to go off the beaten path? A Brief Overview of Hiroshima Prefecture
However, both the city and the prefecture of Hiroshima have a proud history that goes back much further. Today, Hiroshima is an attractive, historic city that’s well worth a visit with attractions that include Miyajima and the aforementioned Torii gate in the bay. Although Hiroshima is almost 500 miles away from Tokyo, it is connected by the high-speed Tokaido Shinkansen ‘bullet train’ rail line. Meanwhile, if you’re planning to explore this area specifically then a regional rail pass might be a good idea, such as the JR West pass, which offers unlimited travel within this area. You can find out more by reading about our Regional Passes here.Top 10 Off The Beaten Path Adventures in Hiroshima
Hiroshima Prefecture has a huge number of lesser known and off the beaten path attractions. The city itself is home to hidden neighbourhoods that are a great place to explore, while also being an excellent base for day trips further afield, in the Sanyo area, and beyond. Let’s take a look.
1. Exploring Hiroshima’s historic neighbourhoods and visiting Shukkeien Garden, before venturing off into the Sanin and Sanyo Regions
Away from the main tourist attractions, Hiroshima has a number of quieter, lesser known neighbourhoods full of interesting and authentic things to see and do. Naka-ku is a great example.
It’s also home to the Shukkeien Garden, a serene and traditional Japanese landscaped garden, with beautiful ponds and sculpted pathways, right in the heart of the city. It was first established in 1620 by Lord Asano Nagaakira and was named after its goal to represent the natural landscape in miniature. It is a great place to get away from urban life, while admiring the specially pruned trees and cherry blossoms, and gazing into the still waters of the tranquil pond. 
Next is the neighbourhood of Miyajima-Guchi. This historic district is another of the city’s best, lesser-known spots and can be found close to the famous iconic Itsukushima Shrine. While exploring Hiroshima’s neighbourhoods, also look out for the city’s street art scene. You’ll find prime examples in the vicinity of Higashi-Hiroshima Station, Hatchobori, and Nagarekawa.
And when you’re ready to leave the city behind, why not plan a trip to the Sanin and Sanyo regions of Hiroshima Prefecture? These areas are more sparsely populated than the urban centres and therefore much quieter, less touristy, and more at one with nature and the landscape. They’re also stunningly beautiful and home to three of Japan’s incredible national parks, Daisen-Oki National Park, Saninkaigan National Park, and Setonaikai National Park..jpg)
2. Visit Onomichi
Onomichi is a picturesque, hidden gem and harbour town located on the mountain range along the Seto Inland Sea. The town’s delights include the view from Mt. Senkoji, the temple walk and the Path of Literature, the Ichibangai Shōtengai shopping street, and the start of the Shimanamikaido, a 70 km-long cycling route connecting Honshu with Shikoku, travelling through six islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Onomichi is located about 100 km west of Hiroshima and 250 km from Osaka and is accessible by rail. The best way is to take the Sanyo Shinkansen to Fukuyama station, which can be from either the Hiroshima or Osaka direction. At Fukuyama, transfer to a local JR train bound for Onomichi. The full route takes about one hour from Hiroshima or about 2 hours from Osaka. The route itself is worth experiencing; riding the hyper-modern Shinkansen to Fukuyama, then changing to the old local train to Onomichi, is the perfect introduction for your visit to Onomichi.
One more thing worth knowing if you're planning to start the Shimanamikaido cycle from Onomichi: the bicycle rental terminal relocated from the port to in front of Onomichi Station in October 2025, so head straight to the station rather than the waterfront when picking up your bike. And good news on costs — bridge crossing tolls for cyclists (totalling around ¥500 for the full route) are currently waived as a temporary tourism promotion measure, with the waiver running until March 31, 2026. Check the latest status on the official Shimanami Kaido website before your trip, as this may be extended or updated.
Read our guide to Onomichi for more info.
3. See The World’s Largest Rice Spoon
There are lots of reasons to visit the famous Miyajima island in Hiroshima Bay (not least the famous floating torii gate), but a lesser-known reason is to see the world’s largest rice spoon! Yes, you read that right! Located on Miyajima Island’s Omotesando shopping street, this giant wooden spoon is a staggering 7.7 meters in length, 2.7 meters in width, and 2.5 tons in weight. It was crafted to commemorate Miyajima’s history as the birthplace of the rice scoop as well as a centre for the traditional art of wood carving. It was created in 1996 as part of celebrations to honour the official designation of Itsukushima Shrine (and the aforementioned floating torii gate) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Look for Ponyo by the Sea
The real-life fishing village which inspired Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo is a great day trip from Hiroshima. The peaceful and pretty town of Tomonoura is located at the top of Numakuma Peninsula in Setonaikai National Park, south of Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture. The film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki visited the town of Tomonoura in 2005 and loved the location so much he stayed for two months and decided to include it as the main setting in the film he was working on at the time (Ponyo). One of the many theories about why Miyazaki chose Tomonoura is because as well as being incredibly pretty, it is also famous for its sea life, particularly red sea bream. Tomonoura is known for its history, ranging back a thousand years, and for its picturesque harbour, which was built during the Edo period (1603-1867) and earned the town a reputation for its views. Famously, a Korean envoy staying in an Edo period guest house overlooking the Seto Inland Sea claimed that Tomonoura had ‘the most beautiful view in Japan’ – high praise indeed and a great trip from Hiroshima.
5. Walk The Futabanosato Walking Trail
The Futabanosato Walking Trail is a chance to step back in time and learn about Hiroshima’s history prior to World War II. The trail stops at a variety of sights, temples and shrines, each with their own story to tell, and will take the visitor on a route that shows the unexplored side of Hiroshima. There are 16 stops along the trail, which climbs through the local mountains and includes a variety of temples, historical sights and old living quarters, beginning at Fudo-in Temple and ending at Saizo-ji, a temple guarded by the statue of Samurai Saizo Kani. Along the way, you’ll stop at Toshogu Shrine, one of Hiroshima’s cultural treasures. Established in 1648, the Toshogu shrine pays tribute to the first Shogun of Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Built on the foot of Mount Futabayama, it provides scenic views over the city and castle of Hiroshima.
Starting the Futabanosato trail is easy right from Hiroshima station. The local tourist information provides free walking maps with tons of useful information, so pick one up before you start. Then head to the north exit of Hiroshima station and proceed north for about three blocks to Hikarigaoka Yamane Park. There's a public washroom here and makes for a convenient unofficial start of the trail. From here the trail can be explored clockwise or counter-clockwise. We suggest the former as it gives the option to finish at JR Yaga station, this reduces the amount of walking.
6. Visit Hiroshima’s Most Unusual Museums, from eggs to brushes!
Get ready for two of the more unusual museum experiences Japan, and Hiroshima specifically, has to offer. The Wood Egg Okonomiyaki Museum is dedicated to the history and cultural importance of okonomiyaki. This savoury Japanese pancake, which is grilled on a teppan, is a beloved dish across Japan, but especially in Hiroshima where it is said to have originated. It is a much loved regional specialty made using layers of ingredients rather than mixed as it is elsewhere in the country. This is what makes Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki unique. The word okonomiyaki means ‘what you like’ and ‘grilled’ and frequently used ingredients include cabbage, meat, seafood, as well as aonori (dried seaweed flakes), Japanese mayonnaise, katsuobushi (bonito flakes), and pickled ginger. Visitors can enjoy cooking classes with teppan grills and traditional hotplates, led by expert cooks. Next is another unique museum experience - the Fude no Sato Kobo Brush Museum, a museum dedicated to the art of traditional brush making. To learn more, you’ll have to visit Kumano, a quiet town in Hiroshima Prefecture, where around 80% of Japan's calligraphy and makeup brushes are made using ancient, passed-down techniques. This art is known as Kumano Fude. Kumano produces around 80% of Japan's calligraphy and makeup brushes, each crafted using centuries-old techniques. Visitors to this historic museum can get hands on and enjoy interactive workshops
7. The Mazda Museum
At first glance it may seem unusual for Hiroshima to have a museum fully dedicated to Mazda, but the car company has its origins in the city. The Mazda Motor Corporation was founded in Hiroshima in 1920, first starting out by selling a three-wheel auto-rickshaw. Obviously, the company grew and expanded over the decades and was an essential part of the city's economic growth. To this day, Mazda has kept their global headquarters and factories in Hiroshima, occupying a lot of land along its waterfront. Just to give you a sense of how important the tie is between Hiroshima and Mazda; the name of the city's baseball stadium is Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima and there's even a Mazda Hospital.
The museum, which is near the headquarters, first opened in May 1994 and has been welcoming visitors ever since. It underwent a partial renovation between late 2024 and early 2025, reopening to the public on April 1, 2025 with expanded exhibits designed to offer a more immersive experience of Mazda's history, appeal, and vision for the future. The highlights now include the MAZDA ICONIC SP concept car on display, a new stereophonic sound experience bringing the 1991 Le Mans victory — Mazda's historic win as the first Japanese manufacturer to claim the title — to life with crowd cheers and the roar of the MAZDA 787B engine, and a new biodiesel motorsport vehicle exhibit reflecting the company's work toward carbon neutrality. The factory assembly line tour, which had been temporarily suspended, is also back — Zone 9 (the factory tour area) resumed tours on June 23, 2025.
A visit here remains one of the most rewarding things to do in Hiroshima even if you're not particularly car-obsessed, and entry is free. One important practical note that's changed: reservations are now required, as the museum is only accessible via a guided tour. Tours for individual visitors run twice daily including one English-language tour, and last approximately 90 to 120 minutes. Bookings can be made up to three months ahead through the Mazda Museum website. Don't just turn up — you'll be turned away without a reservation.
Our guide to Visiting the Mazda Museum has more information.
8. Mitaki-Dera Temple
Hiroshima is home to many serene and beautiful temples of course and we’d recommend this one if you're looking for something more off the beaten path. Mitaki-Dera Temple dates back to 809 and is a beautiful Buddhist temple found in the dense forest of Mount Mitaki. The temple’s name means ‘three waterfalls’ and you’ll find them on the slopes of the mountain. They’re a stunning sight. The surrounding forest is also famous for its beauty during cherry blossom season in spring and during ‘koyo’ season in autumn. As well as the temple itself, the grounds contain a number of pagodas, serene statues, and water features.
.jpg){kind=spacer}
9. Rabbit Island
Okunoshima (or Rabbit Island) can be found in the Seto Inland Sea in Eastern Hiroshima and has become a hugely popular tourist attraction in recent years. The island is inhabited by hundreds of free-roaming rabbits across its forested paths and open areas, and attracted around 195,000 visitors in 2024. Rabbits are associated with safe childbirth and fertility in Japanese folktales and mythology, and visiting the island is said to bring good luck to couples and families.
Where did the rabbits come from? The most popular theory is that in 1971, a group of school students released a small number of rabbits on the island; with no natural predators present and feeding from tourists over the years, the population grew rapidly from there. However, it's worth noting that there are actually conflicting accounts of how the colony began — the island's own history is full of mystery, which only adds to its appeal.
What is historically documented is that Okunoshima was once far from the peaceful retreat it is today. During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army operated a secret chemical weapons facility here, producing mustard gas and tear gas under conditions of strict government secrecy — the island was even removed from official maps at the time. In 1988, the Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum was opened on the island to present this difficult history honestly and in full detail. It's a sobering but important stop, and it gives the island a depth that goes well beyond its fluffy inhabitants.
That said, the bunnies are absolutely the main draw, and spending an afternoon being surrounded by them hopping over to investigate your bag is genuinely one of Japan's more joyful experiences. The rabbits are most active in the early mornings and evenings, so those who stay overnight at the island's single resort hotel tend to get the best encounters. If you're visiting as a day-tripper, arrive on the first or second ferry of the morning.
A note on responsible visiting: growing visitor numbers have placed strain on the island's environment in recent years, including littering and the feeding of rabbits with inappropriate food. If you want to feed them, bring fresh vegetables — cabbage and carrots are favourites — and avoid any cooked or processed food. The rabbits are wild animals, so it is not recommended to try to pet or hold them, even if they approach you boldly. The Takehara municipal government is considering the introduction of a tourist tax by 2028 to help fund conservation measures, so expect some changes to the visitor experience in coming years — all in the name of keeping the island special for future visitors.
.jpg)
10. Iwakuni and the golden bridge of Kintai-kyo
Last but definitely not least, Iwakuni and the golden bridge of Kintai-kyo. Iwakuni is a small historic town based around the lower Yamaguchi mountains and is an easy day trip to make from Hiroshima. Its most beautiful feature is the golden bridge named Kintai-kyo. Read our full guide to Iwakuni and the Golden Bridge of Kintai-kyo for more.
Bonus Recommendations
We’ve a lot more on Hiroshima on the JR Pass blog if you’re interested in visiting this historic city and the beautiful surrounding prefecture. Today we’ve focussed on the more, off-the-beaten path excursions and hidden gems that are just a train ride away, but it also has several world-famous landmarks and attractions too. Here are a few suggestions for further reading:
- Read our guide to How to Get the Most out of the Japan Rail Pass when visiting Hiroshima.
- For more on Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, read our full guide to the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park and Atomic Dome.
- We also have a guide on Visiting Hiroshima Castle.
- And finally, you can find out everything you need to know about Miyajima’s famous floating torii gate in our guide to Visiting Miyajima with the JR Pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Hiroshima worth visiting beyond the Peace Memorial?
Absolutely — and that's really the whole point of this guide. While the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Dome are powerful and essential visits, Hiroshima Prefecture is also home to Rabbit Island, the Shimanamikaido cycling route, the Ponyo-inspiring harbour at Tomonoura, a walking trail through pre-war history, two wonderfully unusual museums, and the internationally recognised Mazda Museum, among much else. A JR Pass makes it easy to base yourself in Hiroshima city and reach most of these as day trips.
2. Do I need to book the Mazda Museum in advance?
Yes — this is a common point of confusion. Reservations are required for the Mazda Museum, as visits are only possible via a guided tour. Tours run twice daily, including one in English, and last around 90 to 120 minutes. You can book up to three months ahead through the official Mazda Museum website. The museum is free to visit, but without a reservation, you will not be admitted.
3. How do I get to Rabbit Island (Okunoshima)?
The easiest route from Hiroshima is to take the Sanyo Shinkansen or a local JR train to Mihara Station, then transfer to the JR Kure Line and alight at Tadanoumi Station. The ferry from Tadanoumi Port takes around 15 minutes and runs roughly every 30–45 minutes; the port is a 3-minute walk from the station. On weekends and public holidays, a ferry also runs from Sunami Port, which accepts online booking and avoids the queue at Tadanoumi. All of these connections are covered by the Japan Rail Pass for the train legs.
4. Can I cycle the Shimanamikaido from Onomichi in a day?
It's possible for fit cyclists — the main route is around 70 km — but most visitors find two days a more rewarding pace, with an overnight stop on one of the islands. The bicycle rental terminal in Onomichi is now located in front of the station (moved from the port in October 2025). The route is clearly marked with a blue line painted on the road the whole way, so navigation is genuinely easy. A practical bonus: bridge tolls for cyclists are currently waived until March 31, 2026, though it's worth checking the latest status before your trip.
5. What JR Pass or regional pass do I need for Hiroshima day trips?
The nationwide Japan Rail Pass covers the Sanyo Shinkansen to and from Hiroshima, all JR local lines in the prefecture, and the JR Kure Line to Tadanoumi (for Rabbit Island). If you're spending a week or more focused specifically on western Japan, a JR West regional pass may offer better value — see our Expert Guide to Regional Passes for a full comparison.
