[15 Popular Date Spots in Hiroshima] A Couple’s Trip Through World Heritage Sites and Spectacular Views

Sera Kogen Farm is one of four sightseeing farms scattered across the Sera Highlands.
One of Hiroshima Prefecture’s most popular flower parks, it features flower fields that change with the seasons, with tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, and dahlias in fall.
Its colorful scenery has also drawn attention as a photogenic spot, and a variety of events including flower festivals are held here.
Be sure to also visit the neighboring sightseeing farms, Kamu no Sato, Sera Kogen Flower Forest, and Sera Fuji Garden.

Sandankyo Gorge is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government and is known as one of western Japan’s most secluded scenic areas.
It stretches for Approx. 16 km in total. Inside the gorge, where the scenery resembles a traditional landscape painting, there is also a hand-pulled ferry boat, allowing visitors to enjoy spectacular views from the water.
The five major scenic highlights, Kurobuchi, Sarutobi, Nidan Falls, Sandan Falls, and Mitsudaki Falls, are truly awe-inspiring.

Located around the middle of Mount Senkoji, Senkoji Temple is a historic temple founded in 806. Its main hall is also known as the Red Hall and is painted a vivid vermilion.
The beautiful scenery created by that vermilion, the blue sky and sea, and the green of the trees is one of its main attractions.
There are many highlights, including Tama no Iwa, a rock tied to a legend about a once-shining jewel, Kagami Iwa, said to have reflected the light of the jewel, the sun, and the moon, the bell tower known as Toki no Kane, and the Sanjusan Kannon-do Hall, where praying is said to bring the same spiritual merit as completing a pilgrimage to the Saigoku Kannon sacred sites.

Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 by Mori Terumoto, known as one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Five Elders.
Located in the center of Hiroshima City, it is a famous sightseeing landmark with convenient access.
The castle tower houses exhibition rooms displaying Japanese swords, armor, and other items. From the top-floor observation area, you can enjoy views over the city of Hiroshima.
Buildings such as the Omote Gomon Gate and Taiko Yagura turret, which were destroyed in the atomic bombing, were restored in the 1990s, allowing visitors to appreciate the castle’s beautiful scenery once again.

Shukkeien Garden was created by Asano Nagaakira, lord of the Hiroshima Domain, as a villa garden starting in 1620.
In Takuei Pond at the center of the garden float islands called Tsuru-shima and Kame-shima, created with wishes for long life. The pond’s water is brackish, mixing fresh water and seawater, and is home to fish such as mullet that live in seawater. Wild birds also fly in to hunt them.
Tea houses, small pavilions, mountains, streams, and islands are skillfully arranged around the pond, creating a stroll garden designed for visitors to walk around and enjoy the scenery.

This Zen Buddhist temple is located in the mountains of Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. A special branch temple of the Kenninji school of Rinzai Zen, it was created not only as a place for memorial services but also as a place to experience what Zen is through activities such as Zen practice and tea ceremony.
Within its vast 70,000-tsubo grounds are scattered temple buildings relocated from Shiga Prefecture, a restored tea house of Sen no Rikyu, and a temple office designed around the theme of red pine by architectural historian and architect Terunobu Fujimori.
The gardens arranged to connect these buildings are also well worth seeing.

Itsukushima Shrine stands on Miyajima, an island known as the Island of the Gods.
Most of the shrine buildings within the grounds are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. The grand torii gate standing in the sea was restored to its vivid vermilion color in 2022 after the three-and-a-half-year Reiwa-era major restoration, giving it an even more impressive appearance.
The shrine is also illuminated from around sunset until 11:00pm, creating a magical scene quite different from the daytime view.

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street is the island’s liveliest street, lined with shops selling Miyajima specialties.
Along this Approx. 350 m covered shopping arcade leading to the grand torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, you will find souvenir shops, folk craft stores, and restaurants serving Miyajima cuisine.
Because Miyajima-style souvenirs and gourmet spots are packed into one area, this shopping street is a great first stop when visiting the island.

This gorge stretches Approx. 18 km across Shobara City and Jinsekikogen Town in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Located in Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, it is one of the Chugoku region’s leading scenic destinations and has also been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Landscapes.
It is broadly divided into the Kamitaishaku Area and the Shinryuko Lake Area, each with highlights scattered throughout.
In the Kamitaishaku Area, you can see a karst plateau formed by the long-term erosion of limestone, as well as mysterious natural sights such as the limestone cave Hakundo and the 8 m-high natural stone gate Oni no Karato.

The Atomic Bomb Dome was originally completed on April 5, 1915, as the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall, designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel. However, it was damaged by the atomic bombing at a location just 160 m from the hypocenter.
Its exposed steel frame and shattered outer walls remain as they were at the time of the bombing, and at some point it came to be known as the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Visits to the Atomic Bomb Dome are limited to viewing the exterior, and the inside is not open to the public. At night, however, it is illuminated, allowing visitors to see a magical scene different from the daytime atmosphere.

Simose Art Museum opened in March 2023.
Standing by the sea with views of Miyajima across the water, the building was designed by architect Shigeru Ban and won the Prix Versailles in 2024 as the world’s most beautiful museum.
One especially striking feature is its movable exhibition rooms, said to be inspired by the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Eight gallery units covered in different colors of glass line up beautifully above a reflecting pool.
Exhibitions are curated by theme from a diverse collection that includes Japanese crafts such as Hina dolls and Kyoto dolls, Western decorative arts centered on Emile Galle glass works, and modern Japanese and Western art.

Saijo in Higashihiroshima City is considered one of Japan’s great sake brewing regions, alongside Nada in Hyogo Prefecture and Fushimi in Kyoto.
This historic town prospered as a post town during the Edo period (1603–1868), and with high-quality water and sake rice well suited to brewing, it developed so strongly that it came to be known as Sake Capital Saijo.
Even today, there are seven sake breweries around JR Saijo Station, some of which have exhibition rooms and offer tastings and sales.
There are also restaurants serving bishu nabe, a hot pot made with Japanese sake, as well as cafes renovated from former sake breweries, allowing visitors to experience Saijo, a town of sake, in many different ways.

An aquarium on Miyajima, the island known for the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine.
Located Approx. 5 minutes on foot from the exit of Itsukushima Shrine, it fits easily into a sightseeing route.
The traditional Japanese-style building with a tiled roof is designed in harmony with Miyajima’s historic scenery.
Inside, more than 15,000 marine creatures from 380 species, including fish and mammals, are on display.
The aquarium also features a strong selection of locally themed exhibits, including a tank for finless porpoises that inhabit the Seto Inland Sea, as well as zones recreating Miyajima’s tidal flats and the satoyama landscapes of Hiroshima.

A narrow lane Approx. 200 m long extending from Ushitora Shrine in Nagae, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is known as Cat Alley. In 1998, artist Haruji Sonoyama began placing his own creations, called Fukuishi Neko, along this lane. From then on, it came to be known by the nickname Cat Alley and became one of Onomichi’s tourist attractions.
Various cat-themed objects decorate the path, including Fukuishi Neko, cute cat figures painted on round stones, as well as tiles featuring cat designs. The surrounding area is also dotted with hideaway-style shops renovated from vacant houses and art museums, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll with stops along the way.

A temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect built by Osaka businessman Kosanji Kozo as a memorial temple for his mother.
Also not to be missed is Miraishin no Oka, a 5,000 sq m marble garden within the grounds. Created by internationally renowned sculptor Itto Kuetani, it uses marble quarried in Carrara, Italy. Monuments of various sizes stand throughout the garden, creating a mysterious landscape of pure white.

A multi-use building next to the Atomic Bomb Dome, Orizuru Tower is a Hiroshima landmark where you can enjoy scenery and experiences found only here.
The rooftop observation area, Hiroshima Hills, is a pleasant wooden deck space where the breeze flows through and the warmth of the wood can be felt.
After sunset, you can take in night views of the illuminated Atomic Bomb Dome and the city, a scene that feels uniquely Hiroshima.
The observation area also includes the ROOF TOP BAR, where you can enjoy cocktails and spend a special moment together.

Haigamine is an independent peak rising 737 m above Kure City, Hiroshima. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a grand panorama over the city of Kure and the Seto Inland Sea.
After sunset, the beautiful night view, selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Night Views and one of the Three Great Night Views of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, can be enjoyed here.
Below, the lights of the port and the city sparkle like jewels, while the reflections of ships on the sea create a magical scene.
Because you can drive close to the summit, it is also perfect for a nighttime drive date.
Enjoy a romantic moment while feeling the evening breeze at the quiet observation deck.

Mount Senkoji, one of Onomichi’s three mountains, rises to an elevation of 144.2 m. Senkoji Park stretches from the summit down the mountainside.
A ropeway runs from the city area to Senkoji Park, and one of its charms is that the ride takes only Approx. 3 minutes.
From the gondola, you can enjoy views of Onomichi’s cityscape, recognized as part of Japan Heritage.
From Senkoji Peak Observatory PEAK, directly connected to the ropeway’s summit station, you can take in a spectacular view unique to Onomichi, embraced by port and mountains, while at night the sparkling scenery selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Night Views spreads out before you.

Ristorante Mario is an authentic Italian restaurant located a 3-minute walk from Peace Memorial Park, with an exterior reminiscent of an old European house.
It offers a wide variety of dishes made with Hiroshima-grown vegetables and seafood from the Seto Inland Sea.
At dinner, the popular Chef’s Recommended Course features elegant seasonal seafood appetizers, a main dish of your choice, and pasta.
There is also a wide selection of a la carte dishes and wines, so you can enjoy pairing as well.
Inside, tables covered with checkered cloths create a classic Italian atmosphere.

A casual Western-style dining restaurant in the Hatchobori entertainment district of Hiroshima City.
Course menus are popular for both lunch and dinner, and there is also a wide selection of individual dishes such as omurice, beef curry, and pasta. Another nice point is that some courses include all-you-can-drink plans.
On the garden terrace, you can enjoy views of Hiroshima’s cityscape and greenery during the day, and dine in a magical atmosphere surrounded by illumination at night.
Its location near popular night view spots such as Peace Memorial Park and Orizuru Tower is another plus, making it easy to take a walk nearby after your meal.

Japanese Cuisine Sanbi is located on the 2nd floor of Urban View Grand Tower in central Hiroshima City.
In a calm, modern Japanese setting, you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine featuring fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and seasonal ingredients from Hiroshima Prefecture.
Serving pieces such as Kakiemon porcelain and Baccarat glassware add visual elegance, making the experience enjoyable for both the eyes and the palate.
You can choose from a variety of courses, including the Hiroshima Beef Stone-Grilled Course and the Traditional Restaurant Unagi Kaiseki Course, depending on your taste.
Take your time enjoying carefully selected sake, shochu, and wine chosen by the head chef together with your kaiseki meal.

A 23-story resort hotel with a triangular design facing the nature-rich Setonaikai National Park.
It is also easy to access, located 30 minutes from Hiroshima Station by free shuttle bus.
One of its biggest attractions is the panoramic view over the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, whose appearance changes with the seasons.
The hotel also offers extensive facilities and services, including a spa, an open-air bath where you can enjoy Hiroshima Onsen, and a shopping arcade.
From the pier in front of the hotel, you can take a ferry to Miyajima in Approx. 30 minutes, making it an ideal base for visiting the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine.

Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate occupies the 9th through 21st floors of the station building.
All 380 guest rooms feature large windows, offering views over the Seto Inland Sea and Hiroshima’s cityscape.
With the theme of The Gateway to Setouchi, the hotel incorporates touches that engage all five senses, including guest room art, fragrance, Bizen ware mugs, and bath salts that evoke the Setouchi area.
Café & Buffet UmiShima Dining inside the hotel is a dining venue where you can savor the blessings of the Seto Inland Sea and its islands with all five senses.
Freshly baked bread is served in the morning, a diverse select buffet is offered at lunch, and Spanish Italian a la carte dishes are available at dinner, so you can enjoy different culinary experiences depending on the time of day.

Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto is a long-established ryokan with a history of more than 400 years, standing in a prime location just a 3-minute walk from the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine.
Its 55 guest rooms are built in sukiya style by Kyoto craftsmen, creating calm spaces filled with delicate Japanese elegance.
Another attraction is its wide range of rooms, including guest rooms with open-air cypress baths and scenic rooms with views of Itsukushima Shrine and Miyajima’s beautiful natural surroundings.
At the restaurant, you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine prepared with fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and plenty of locally grown vegetables.
Course menus featuring the inn’s famous oysters and luxurious A5-grade Hiroshima beef are especially popular.
In addition, complimentary guided walking tours of Miyajima in the morning and evening let you fully enjoy the island’s pure early-morning nature and the nighttime illumination of Itsukushima Shrine.