Recommended 10 Touring Roads and Spots in Hiroshima Prefecture, selected by riders who have circumnavigated Japan twice.

Hello to all Webike Plus readers! I am Sasu Rider, a man who has loved okonomiyaki since he was a child. Whenever I go touring in Osaka and Hiroshima, I always go on the okonomiyaki ladder. If you ask me which I like better... If you ask me which I like better... I prefer Hiroshima okonomiyaki. So, I may have offended some people in the Kansai region... This time, I would like to introduce my favorite okonomiyaki of Hiroshima Prefecture! I'd like to introduce you to some of the recommended touring roads and spots in Hiroshima Prefecture. The information on each spot is current as of February 2026. The information is subject to change without notice. Please check before you go.

1 Technical winding: Sazanami Skyline

The Sazanami Skyline (Noro Park Line) is a 10.5 km long technical winding road that was once a toll road. Noro at an elevation of 839 meters, the road has a series of steep and tight hairpin curves, making it a very challenging road to drive! In spring, the road is famous for its cherry blossoms, so you can enjoy a full-course dinner of "winding road + drive-through cherry blossom viewing.

One Point Advice for Sasu Riders

Located on the Sazanami Skyline, the Hachimaki Observatory is a superb spot to enjoy the view of the calm Seto Inland Sea archipelago and the Aki Nada Bridge. It is a purely scenic spot with no public restrooms or stores, but that is why it is a quiet place to enjoy the spectacular view and must be accessed on foot from a parking space on the side of the road.

2 Umi no Michi: Akinada Tobishima Kaido

The Akinada Tobishima Kaido is a sea road with seven bridges that connects Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures, and is the opposite of the Shimanami Kaido, a sea road with seven bridges. While the Shimanami Kaido allows you to "pass through" from Ehime Prefecture to Hiroshima Prefecture, the Akinada Tobishima Kaidois a one-way piston-operated roadfrom Hiroshima Prefectureto Okamura Island, whichbelongs to Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture,and thus has less traffic than the Shimanami Kaido overall, allowing you to enjoy touring at a leisurely pace! Moreover ,compared to the Shimanami Kaido, which requires a reasonable toll fee (50 yen for 125cc and under) for the entire route, the Aki Nada Bridge toll fee of 570 yen (50 yen for 125cc and under) x 2 (to and from Shimomakari Island) from Kure City (mainland) allows you to tour the entire route, and you can also use the tolls at designated facilities in the area. If you spend more than 1,000 yen in total, you can enjoy the whole tour for free! The return trip on the Akinada Ohashi Bridge is free of charge.

One Point Advice for Sasu Riders

There are so many places to stop along the Akinada-Tobishima Kaido that you may wonder, "Where on earth should I go? There are so many places to stop along the Tobishima Kaido that you may wonder, "Where in the world should I go? My personal recommendation is to go to " Kenmin-no-hama" on Kamikamari Island, where you can enjoy the white sandy beach and the calm sea, and " Mitarai Machinami Preservation District" on Osakishita Island, where you can stroll through the emo townscape that has been preserved since the Edo period! Of course, for those of us who love the "end of the road," one of our goals is to land on Okamura Island, so we hope you enjoy your trip along the Akinada-Tobishimaido.

3 World Cultural Heritage Site No. 1: Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine is one of the most famous power spots in Japan, so famous for its huge torii gate floating on the sea. Itsukushima Shrine, the pride of Hiroshima Prefecture and a World Heritage Site, is a beautiful shrine with its original sleeping pavilions built on the sea, and is located on Itsukushima (Miyajima), which can be reached by ferry from Hatsukaichi City. Therefore, the fee to visit Itsukushima Shrine is 300 yen, but you must take the ferry ( Miyajima Matsudai Kisen), which costs 400 yen for the round-trip fare, for a total of 700 yen at least. Motorcycles can be parked for 300 yen per day (1,000 yen on weekends and holidays) at the Miyajima Garage just outside the ferry terminal.

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

You can take your bike on the ferry to Itsukushima, but to be frank, if your only purpose is to see Itsukushima Shrine, there is almost no point in taking your bike on the ferry (along with your own bike...)! After getting off the ferry, you will have to walk about 1 km to Itsukushima Shrine, but it is a pleasant approach lined with stores selling " momiji manju" (a Miyajima specialty) , souvenir shops, and restaurants, so at least you will not have a hard time walking. I do not think you will have a hard time walking along the approach. You may see some deer along the approach, but do not bother them as they are considered "messengers of the gods" in Itsukushima (watch over them warmly).

4 World Heritage Site #2: Atomic Bomb Dome

Along with Itsukushima Shrine, the Atomic Bomb Dome is Hiroshima Prefecture's World Cultural Heritage site, which exists to convey to the present world the tragic experience of being the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombing. The former Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall (=A-bomb Dome), which was instantly ruined by the atomic bombing, remains in its original painful state. It is a place that every Japanese rider should visit at least once sooner or later, and for me, it is a place to be thankful that I am able to enjoy riding a motorcycle in this peaceful modern age (this is just my personal opinion).

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

After visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome, you should visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which is also located in the Peace Memorial Park. The museum introduces and exhibits the serious damage and tragic situation caused by the atomic bombing with materials and artifacts from the time. The admission fee is 200 yen per adult, and motorcycles can be parked for free in the bicycle parking lot (the same type as bicycles) on the south side of the East Wing. It is recommended to read through the information on the official page in advance, as it seems that there are quite a few visitors to the museum now, mainly inbound visitors, and " web reservations " are required depending on the time of day you wish to visit.

5 Old streets: Takehara Machinami Preservation District

Takehara Machinami Preservation District, also known as "Little Kyoto in Aki," is Hiroshima Prefecture's version of the old townscape full of emotion known as "Little Kyoto in 00," which is scattered throughout Japan. Takehara's townscape, which once prospered as a salt manufacturing town based on salt production, was once the manor of Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto during the Heian period (794-1185), and is characterized by its town houses with hon-gawara-bu roofing and nuriya-zukuri (lacquered roof)! Just walking around the area is enjoyable enough, but it is even more enjoyable if you stop by the trendy general stores and cafes in the area.

One point of advice from a Sasu rider

The best place to leave your bike when exploring the Takehara Machinami Preservation Area is " Michi no Eki Takehara" (Roadside Station Takehara ), located within walking distance to the Machinami Preservation Area! It has a store, restaurant, rest area, and tourist information center.

6 Scenic Spots: Senkoji Park

Senkoji Park is a superb scenic spot in Onomichi, a "movie town" known as the filming location for many movies. Centered on Senkoji Temple, which is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi, the park is located halfway up the 144.2 meter-high Senkoji Mountain, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the town of Onomichi like a box garden! The Senkoji Ropeway, which passes over the shrines and temples, is a unique ride that will allow you to fully enjoy one of Onomichi's most spectacular spots.

One point of advice from a Sasu rider

Senkoji Park can be accessed by bike for 400 yen per day (200 yen for bikes under 125cc) at the Senkoji Park Parking Lot, which is within walking distance of all viewing spots, Senkoji Temple, and the ropeway stop. The best view is from the Senkoji Summit Observatory PEAK, which opened in March 2022, and is a prime photo spot with the artistic and modern observatory itself!

7 Sightseeing Spots: Yamato Museum

All boys unconditionally love this museum! The Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime History and Science Museum) is a museum that introduces "Yamato," a super-large battleship etched in Japanese history, and the history of manufacturing in "Kure," which boasts a long history as a military port.The Yamato Museum, the largest maritime museum in Japan, is filled with a variety of exhibits that are well worth seeing, including an elaborate 26.3-meter-long model of the Yamato! Admission is 1,000 yen per adult, and the museum is currently closed in preparation for its reopening on April 23, 2026 (some exhibits will be on display at the Yamato Museum Satellite, a temporary exhibition space, until the end of March 2026).

One Point Advice for Sasu Riders

TheYamato Museum has a " free bicycle parking lot with large bikes OK", so you can visit the museum without worrying about parking time! Moreover, right in front of the museum is the " Tetsu no Kujira-kan (Kure Archives of the Maritime Self-Defense Force)", a museum about submarines, which is also free to visit.... Basically, we recommend that you go to the Yamato Museum and then to the Tetsuno Kujira Museum. Note that it is not allowed to leave your bike parked at the Yamato Museum's bicycle parking lot and go to the Tetsu no Kujira Museum.

8 Sightseeing: Sandankyo

Sandankyo is a special scenic beauty spot in Hiroshima Prefecture, with one of the most beautiful valleys in western Japan. The spectacular gorge is located in the Nishi-Chugoku Sanchi (West Chugoku Mountains) National Quasi-Park, and is approximately 16 km long! In addition to strolling along the promenade, there are two ferry boats: the " Kurobuchi Wataru-bune," which you can board while viewing the fantastic emerald green surface of the water, and the " Sarutobi Wataru-bune," which you can board while viewing the powerful rock walls over 20 meters high .

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

Sandan-kyo is a place that can be enjoyed during the three seasons of spring, summer, and fall (it is basically closed in winter), but it is especially recommended to visit in fall when the autumn leaves are in full bloom! Motorcycles can be parked either at the "Sandankyo Main Entrance Entrance Parking Lot (free)" or the "Mizunashi Entrance Parking Lot (300 yen)," and since the former is basically free, it is safest to park at the former if it is available and at the latter if it is full. It is smart to go to the " Roadside Station Raimu-Togochi " located 10 minutes from Sandankyo by motorcycle to use the restrooms, eat, and shop (there are restrooms and restaurants in Sandankyo as well).

9 Local gourmet: Ajiwai Okonomiyaki Ichiriki

Next up is finally Hiroshima Prefecture's mainstay! Famous okonomiyaki restaurants such as " Micchan Sohonten," " Nagataya," and " Hachimasa " can be easily found by Googling, and I'm sure many of you have been to these places before... This time, I would like to take a leap of faith and try a different approach! The name of the restaurant is "Ajiwai Okonomiyaki Ichiriki." When I was touring in Hiroshima Prefecture, I asked the front desk of the hotel where I was staying, "Is there any good okonomiyaki restaurants around here? I asked the front desk of the inn where I stayed when I was touring in Hiroshima Prefecture, and they replied, "Yes! Ajiwai Okonomiyaki Ichiriki! The answer came back in a second: "Ajiwai Okonomiyaki Ichiriki! In fact, most of the menu items are delicious and reasonably priced! I was still in my 20s at the time, and I remember eating five pieces by myself! I was still in my twenties at the time, and I remember going on a rampage and eating five pieces all by myself!

One point of advice from a Sasu rider

Ichiriki's recommended menu items are "Vegetable Meatball Soba/Udon" and the "Special" with raw squid and shrimp! Unfortunately, there is no place to park your bike, so the only way to get there is to find a nearby bicycle parking lot, or stay at an inn where you can leave your bike like I did and pack light.... But...! Even with that, I assure you that the restaurant is worth a visit. I think it is the best place to go next, especially for those who have been to famous restaurants such as "Micchan Sohonten, Nagataya, and Hachimasa" introduced earlier (if it is your first time, I recommend Micchan Sohonten, Nagataya, and Hachimasa).

10 Cafe with a view of the sea: Cafe Hoxton

Every rider loves this place! A cafe with a view of the sea that I happened to find while touring! The "Sasu Rider in Hiroshima Prefecture version" of this is "Cafe Hoxton. This stylish café is located along Route 185, where you can see the cobalt blue Seto Inland Sea, just like the sea of Okinawa ! The restaurant mainly offers a wide variety of pizza menu and lovely looking sweets, and is especially recommended for lunch time from 11:00 to 14:00, when a salad is included.

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

As a male rider who admits to being a rider with too much girl power, I have been touring cafes with too much girl power all over Japan on my motorcycle... I was so impressed by the high girl power of the sweets at Cafe Hoxton! The sweets are cute and delicious looking to begin with, but the bunny cookies on them are simply too cute!

In fact, Hiroshima Prefecture itself is okonomiyaki!

Yes, there is a lot of variety! There is a lot of variety! Winding, World Heritage Sites, Yamato, and old townscapes! A café with a view of the sea from the beach! In other words, okonomiyaki! A collection of various ingredients! I would like to end this article with a good summary: "In fact, Hiroshima Prefecture itself is okonomiyaki. Please come to Hiroshima Prefecture next time you are touring and enjoy a genre-defying okonomiyaki-like tour (grin) Go to the gallery (18)