[2025 Mihara Attraction] Travel Guide for Mihara Castle Ruins (Updated May)

Looking for a unique experience on your next trip to Japan? If bustling big cities aren't your thing and you prefer a quaint and charming atmosphere, why not visit **Onomichi (尾道)**, located right next to Hiroshima? This place feels like stepping into an old Japanese movie! Its most distinctive feature is the **'hillside town'** layout. With the sea beside it and houses stacked along the slopes, the narrow alleys give off a cozy, nostalgic vibe reminiscent of old neighborhoods. Onomichi is also a paradise for cat lovers! You'll encounter plenty of cats lounging leisurely in the sun as you wander through the alleys. If you're a cat enthusiast, you might find it hard to leave! As you climb the slopes, you'll discover serene temples and shrines tucked away. There's even a 'Temple Pilgrimage Route' that makes for a delightful and leisurely walk. If the climb gets too tiring, take the cable car up to **Senkoji Park (千光寺公園)** and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea from above. The scenery is so picturesque, you'll find yourself gasping in awe! Feeling hungry? Don't miss out on the local specialty, **Onomichi Ramen**! Its rich broth is truly unforgettable. If you're looking to escape the crowded tourist spots and immerse yourself in the simple, authentic charm of Japan, Onomichi is the perfect destination. It's easily accessible by train from Hiroshima, making it a great addition to your travel itinerary. Be sure to check it out!

#Domestic Travel Strategy Hiroshima Prefecture is surrounded by the Chugoku Mountains and the Seto Inland Sea, and is a region rich in nature with many sunny days. It is home to two World Heritage sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine, and is visited by many people from all over the world. If you are planning a trip to Hiroshima, I hope you will read to the end and find this useful. 🔸Areas: Fukuyama, Mihara, Hiroshima, Itsukushima ──────────────────── 🔸Time required: 3 days ──────────────────── 🔸Transportation: Rental car, ferry, train ──────────────────── This time, we visited 5 spots. 🔹Day 1 9:00 Arrive at Hiroshima Airport✈️ 9:50 🚗Depart by rental car, about 21km, about 40 minutes ❶ 11:00 Mihara Castle ↓ ↓ 🚗About 32km, about 1 hour ↓ ❷ 13:00 Fukuyama Castle ↓ 15:00 Check-in at Vessel Inn Fukuyama Station North Exit °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• Mihara Castle Ruins 📍1-chome, Shiromachi, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 723-0004 Fukuyama Castle 📍1-8-39 Marunouchi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 720-0061 Vessel Inn Fukuyama Station North Exit 📍1-2-1 Marunouchi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 720-0061 °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• 🔹Day 2 10:00 Check out to Hiroshima city 🚗About 100km, about 2 hours (toll road) 13:00 Return rental car, lunch 14:00 Check in at ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima To Peace Memorial Park🚶About 400m, about 10 minutes ❶ 15:00 Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome ↓ ↓ 18:00 Return to hotel °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• Peace Memorial Park 📍Nakajimacho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0811 Atomic Bomb Dome 📍1-10 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0051 ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima 📍730-0037 7-7-20 Nakamachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• 🔹Day 3 8:00 Start sightseeing To Miyajima Miyajimaguchi 🚃Approx. 21km, approx. 1 hour From Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima ⛴️Approx. 3km, approx. 20 minutes To Itsukushima Shrine 🚶Approx. 1.1km, approx. 15 minutes ❶ 10:00 Stroll around Itsukushima Shrine and Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street ↓ ↓ ⛴️Approx. 3km, approx. 20 minutes ↓ 🚃Approx. 22km, approx. 1 hour ↓ ❷ 14:30 Hiroshima Castle ↓ ↓ From Hiroshima Bus Center to Hiroshima Airport 🚌Approx. 50km About 1 hour 17:00 Hiroshima Airport✈️ °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• Itsukushima Shrine 📍1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 739-0588 Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street 📍535 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 739-0588 Hiroshima Castle 📍21-1 Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 730-0011 #Domestic travel #Solo travel #Hiroshima #Miyajima #Itsukushima Shrine #Castle #World Heritage Site

Exploring Mihara was an interesting serendipitous by-product for my whirlwind tour of west Kansai region. Having some time between arriving at Mihara Station and leaving on the bullet train meant that I could explore what would turn out to be a convenient hop to the Ruins of the Mihara castle just next to the station. I stopped 3 girls who were relaxing and basking in the mild autumn evening breeze and setting sun to ask about the castle Ruins - turns out it was razed in a fire? I didn't Wikipedia this to fact check but in all honesty, what a relaxing experience this was to saunter around this lovely place :) if you have a book in hand, drink in another and some time, give this place a visit! #wheretogo