Hiroshima Island Hopping: 10 Best Islands to Visit by Travel Style
For a first trip to Hiroshima, planning is easier if you decide not only by fame but also on the scenery you want to see and how you'll get around before you go.
Islands connected by bridges pair well with a drive or a cycling trip, while islands reached by ferry let you feel the spirit of travel from the moment you arrive at the port.
To compare each island's character, we've organized them by travel theme and how well they match.
| Island / Area | Main Appeal | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Miyajima | World Heritage and Mt. Misen | First-time visitors to Hiroshima |
| Etajima | Coastline and modern history | History walks |
| Kurahashijima | Mountains and coast | Nature drives |
| Ōkunoshima | Rabbits and ruins | Nature and peace education |
| Ōsakikamijima | Ferry travel and island views | Quiet stays |
| Ōsakishimojima | Mitarai townscape | Port town strolls |
| Mukaishima | Views and coast | Onomichi and touring |
| Innoshima | History of the Murakami pirates | History and cycling |
| Ikuchijima | Art and Setoda | Culture walks |
| Sagishima | Tidal scenery and villages | Quiet island walks |
For Classic Sightseeing, Base Your Trip Around Miyajima
For travelers visiting Hiroshima for the first time, Miyajima is an easy choice, letting you experience Itsukushima Shrine, the seaside approach, and the nature of Mt. Misen all in one place.
While it's easy to combine with sightseeing in the city of Hiroshima, there is a lot to see, so setting aside time to spend on the island—rather than rushing to the shrine and straight back—makes for a deeper impression.
For Peace and Quiet, Choose Islands Reached by Ferry
On Ōkunoshima, Ōsakikamijima, and Sagishima, the very act of boarding a boat at the port becomes part of the journey.
Because sailings and connections can be limited, it's best not to pack in too many stops and to leave some breathing room for a single island.
For Cycling, Link the Shimanami Kaidō Islands on the Onomichi Side
Mukaishima, Innoshima, and Ikuchijima lie on the Hiroshima Prefecture side of the Shimanami Kaidō, well suited to island travel that follows the bridges and coastline.
You don't need to see them all at once; narrowing down the islands based on whether you prioritize views, history, or art lets you enjoy each stop at a relaxed pace.
Miyajima, Etajima & Kurahashijima: Island Travel Around Hiroshima Bay and Kure
The islands around Hiroshima Bay are relatively easy to include in an itinerary from the city, offering shrines, modern history, coastlines, and mountain views as the focus of a trip.
Miyajima: Explore World Heritage Itsukushima Shrine and the Nature of Mt. Misen
On Miyajima, you can enjoy a landscape where Itsukushima Shrine, standing at the water's edge, and the forest of Mt. Misen rising behind it form a single, unified scene.
The area encompassing the sea in front of Itsukushima Shrine and the primeval forest of Mt. Misen behind it was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1996, and its appeal lies in being able to take in both the shrine buildings—which preserve the shinden-zukuri style of the Heian period—and the natural forest at the same time.
Because the appearance of the Great Torii and the area around the shrine changes with the tide, checking the Miyajima Tourist Association's tide schedule makes it easier to picture the scenery during your visit.
After visiting the shrine, walking beyond the Omotesandō main street to the shoreline and the areas around the temples and shrines lets you experience both the liveliness of a tourist destination and the quiet of an island of faith.
Etajima: Seaside Scenery and the History of the Former Naval Academy
Etajima can be reached either by boat from the Hiroshima Port area or by crossing a bridge from the Kure side.
At what is now the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) 1st Service School, buildings and materials from the era of the former Naval Academy remain, and official information on public tours has been made available.
Admission is free, and the standard tour is a guided course of about 90 minutes; individuals (49 people or fewer) do not need a reservation, while groups of 50 or more must contact them at least two weeks in advance, so check the tour schedule and booking method before your visit.
Rather than ending with the historical facilities alone, adding time to stroll along the coast and discover the island's agricultural and seafood products lets you get a feel for island life today as well.
Kurahashijima: Views of the Seto Inland Sea from Katsurahama and Mt. Hiyama
Kurahashijima, in Kure City, is a nature-lover's destination that combines the seaside Katsurahama beach with the scenery of Mt. Hiyama, which overlooks the surrounding islands.
Mt. Hiyama (pronounced Hiyama) is a mountain about 408 meters high, and it is described as a spot from which you can look out over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea from near the summit and, on clear days, as far as the mountains of Shikoku.
Since footing and sea conditions can change with the weather during hikes and seaside activities, avoid sticking to a fixed plan if you're only lightly equipped, and assess on site whether conditions are safe for walking.
Ōkunoshima & Ōsakikamijima: Time on Remote Islands Reached by Ferry
Leaving a port on the mainland and approaching an island from the water leaves a different impression than reaching an island by bridge.
Ōkunoshima: See Both the Rabbits and the Wartime Ruins
Ōkunoshima is a small island about 4 kilometers in circumference, roughly 15 minutes by ferry from Tadanoumi Port in Takehara City, and it is known for the many rabbits that live there.
At the same time, it is also a place where you can learn the island's history—when poison gas weapons were once manufactured here—through the Poison Gas Museum and the wartime ruins.
Because the rabbits are not exhibit animals, visitors are asked not to chase or pick them up, and not to feed them on the roads.
Since leftover food can attract other animals, if you do feed them, check the official rules and be mindful to take away anything left over.
By looking beyond just the cute animals to both the natural environment and the history, you can understand Ōkunoshima more deeply.
Ōsakikamijima: Savor Island Views on a Bridgeless Island
Ōsakikamijima is not connected to the mainland by any bridge, and the process of crossing by ferry from Takehara Port and other ports gives it the feel of a remote island.
The island has seaside villages and mountain views, and Mt. Kanmine, about 453 meters high, is noted for its sweeping vista of roughly 115 islands scattered across the Seto Inland Sea.
Rather than dashing between famous spots in a short time, this island suits a trip where you move slowly between the port, coast, and villages, shaping the flow of your day around the ferry departures and arrivals.
Ōsakishimojima: An Island Trip Through the Port Town of Mitarai
Mitarai on Ōsakishimojima is a place where you can read its history as a port that developed for ships waiting on the wind and tide, evident in the townscape and the structure of the harbor.
Mitarai Preservation District: Observing the Alleys and Buildings
In 1994, Mitarai was designated a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where merchant houses, teahouses, boat inns, residences, shrines, and temples intermingle, connected by narrow lanes running through the town.
Quietly observing the facades of the buildings and the succession of streets, you can find traces of how the port town developed with the times from the Edo period through the early Shōwa era.
Because it is also a place where people live, it's important to view it from a distance that doesn't obstruct residents' passage, without entering doorways or private property.
Harbor Structures: Imagining Sea Traffic from the Ōhado and Gangi
In Mitarai, structures that supported port-town life—such as the Ōhado breakwater, the Takadōrō high lantern, stone-wall embankments, and gangi stone steps—are also worth seeing.
Rather than just photographing the townscape and passing by, keeping in mind the seaside routes where boats waited and goods and people moved back and forth deepens your understanding of the walk.
Mukaishima, Innoshima & Ikuchijima: Island Spots Along the Shimanami Kaidō
On the Hiroshima Prefecture side of the Shimanami Kaidō stretching out from Onomichi, Mukaishima, Innoshima, and Ikuchijima are linked by bridges.
While they're easy to travel by bike or car, passing through without deciding a purpose for each island can leave you with only a memory of similar sea views.
Thinking of the three islands as playing different roles makes it clearer how to approach each stop.
| Island | Trip Focus | How to Spend It |
|---|---|---|
| Mukaishima | Views | Mt. Takamiyama and the coast |
| Innoshima | History | Learn about the Murakami pirates |
| Ikuchijima | Culture | Art and town walks |
Mukaishima: Sweeping Views of the Seto Inland Islands from Mt. Takamiyama
Mukaishima lies across the water from Onomichi and makes it easy to combine a seaside road with the view from Mt. Takamiyama, about 283 meters high.
Mt. Takamiyama is the highest peak on Mukaishima, described as a viewpoint where the observation deck at the summit overlooks the Innoshima Bridge and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, though the roads and walking paths may sometimes be closed.
Check access information and enjoy the island's changes in elevation, taking in not only the views but also the coastal scenery.
Innoshima: Tracing the Legacy of the Murakami Pirates
On Innoshima, the history of the Murakami pirates (the Murakami navy), who were involved in the shipping routes of the Seto Inland Sea, is the heart of the island trip.
Visiting Innoshima Suigunjō (Suigun Castle), which displays armor and old documents, and Mt. Shirataki, where about 700 statues of the five hundred rakan (arhats) stand in rows, broadens your perspective from sightseeing over the sea to the history of the people who protected maritime routes and kept traffic moving.
In places with slopes and mountain paths, choose comfortable walking shoes and plan to return with time to spare before sunset.
Ikuchijima: Touring the Setoda Townscape and Outdoor Art
In Setoda on Ikuchijima, Kōsan-ji Temple, the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, and the streets of the port town come together in an area that's easy to explore on foot for culture.
The Island-Wide Museum (Shima-goto Bijutsukan), with artworks scattered across the island, offers the pleasure of viewing the relationship between the works and the scenery of nature and villages.
Because the citrus groves and shoreline are also places of local life and industry, be considerate not to enter beyond the roads without permission or touch the crops.
Sagishima: Enjoy Tidal Scenery and Quiet Strolls
Sagishima, off the coast of Mihara, suits a trip where you walk from the port to the villages and shoreline to feel the changing tides, rather than touring one tourist facility after another.
Magai Wareishi Jizō: A Cultural Property That Changes with the Tide
Near Mukōda Port, the Magai Wareishi Jizō is known as a stone Buddha that sinks into the sea up to its face at high tide and reveals its whole body at low tide, and it is designated an Important Cultural Property of Hiroshima Prefecture.
Because how it looks changes with the tide, check the tide schedule before your visit, and when approaching the shore, watch out for slippery spots and changes underfoot.
Villages and Coastline: Island Time at an Unhurried Pace
For Sagishima, the recommended way to enjoy it is to cross by boat from Mihara Port and other ports and tour the coastline and villages by bicycle or on foot.
Assuming there are fewer shops and transport options than in the city, prepare drinks and necessities, and take your trash back with you.
In quiet places, keeping conversation and music at a low volume and being considerate of residents' daily lives is the foundation of a pleasant island trip.
Preparation and Etiquette for Safely Enjoying Hiroshima's Islands
On island trips, a change in just one of the weather, tide, ferry routes, or road conditions can affect your entire plan.
Checking before you set out and leaving room to change your plans on-site are important preparations for enjoying your trip with peace of mind.
Check Ferry Routes and Return Sailings First
For islands reached by ferry, check the return sailing before the outbound one, and confirm notices about cancellations or changed boarding points on the transport operator's official website.
When linking several islands in a single day, one delay affects the next sailing, so a plan that doesn't cram in too many connections is safer.
Adjust What You Pack for the Season and Weather
The shoreline is easily affected by sun and wind, and mountain paths can feel different from the town.
Prepare comfortable walking shoes, drinks, and protection against rain and sun, and prioritize being able to turn back depending on your condition or the weather.
Keep Your Distance from Animals and Living Spaces
As a rule, don't touch animals such as rabbits and deer, don't lure them closer by showing food, and don't chase them for photos.
In the villages, don't enter private property, fields, or fishing facilities, and always obey any signs prohibiting photography or entry.
Check What's OK and What to Avoid on Island Trips
To protect the islands' nature and residents' way of life, we've summarized the considerations visitors can keep in mind.
| Situation | What to Do | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Watching animals | Keep your distance | Chasing or holding |
| Village strolls | Walk on public roads | Entering private property |
| Photography | Check the signs | Blocking passage |
| Eating and drinking | Take trash home | Leaving food behind |
| Cycling | Safe speed | Riding side by side or stopping suddenly |
Summary: Choose Hiroshima Island Trips by Purpose and How You Travel
Hiroshima's island trips offer different ways to enjoy them depending on your purpose—Miyajima's World Heritage, Ōkunoshima's nature and history, the port town of Mitarai, and the views, history, and art of the Shimanami Kaidō.
For islands reached by ferry, check the routes; for islands where you walk the mountains or shore, the weather and road conditions; and for islands with animals, the rules for interacting with them—all through official sources before you set out.
Rather than rushing to collect many islands, narrowing down your destinations based on the scenery you want to see lets you savor the calm hours of the Seto Inland Sea and the life of each island at a relaxed pace.
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