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Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Miyajima is known as an island of the gods, floating upon the peaceful Seto Inland Sea. As well as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine, famed for its huge, vermillion torii shrine gate, there are many historical sites on the island. In addition to these, there are plenty of other highlights such as Miyajima Public Aquarium, which focuses on the marine life of the Seto Inland Sea, and Mount Misen, with stunning scenery from the summit which can be reached by a ropeway car and a walk. The area also boasts many local delicacies, so visitors can...
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Jam-Packed Regional Tour (Miyajima→Kintaikyo Bridge→Shirakabe Historical District)
Visitors can take a tour that combines Miyajima, home to Itsukushima Shrine, famed for its red torii shrine gate; the beautiful wooden structure of Kintaikyo Bridge, counted as one of Japan’s three greatest bridges; and the Shirakabe historical district of Yanai, where the rows of merchants’ houses from the Edo period remain striking even today.
Miyajima is around two hours by car from Yanai, while Iwakuni is a 50-minute trip. Both sightseeing spots are ideal destinations for a drive!
To add a little taste of regional exploration to your stay, we recommend these two spots.
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Kintai Bridge (Iwakuni City)
Kintaikyo Bridge is a nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty and one of Japan’s three greatest bridges. It is a wooden five-arched structure that spans the clear waters of the Nishiki River. The bridge is approximately 193 meters long (approximately 210 meters along the bridge face), and roughly 5 meters wide. It was built using the “Kigumi” joinery technique, employing girder binders and clamps. The exquisite and unique arched bridge structure is considered to be faultless even when viewed from the perspective of modern bridge engineering. A variety of vividly colorful seasonal scenery can be enjoyed here, from the cherry blossoms...
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Strolling in the Shirakabe Historical District
How about a walking tour of the Shirakabe historical district, one of Yanai’s famous sightseeing spots? The town partitioning of the middle ages remains unchanged today, with rows of Edo-period merchants’ houses lining both sides of the road, approximately 200m in length. During the era of domain administration, this district was known as the “storehouse of Iwakuni Domain”. The street was lively with the comings and goings of huge two-wheeled carts, loaded with agricultural produce. In 1984, Shirakabe was selected as a Nationally-Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Wouldn’t you like to feel a sense of history in...
