Mitarai is an atmospheric old port town. In the past, ships would wait here for the right winds and tides, and it was once an important shipping hub in the Seto Inland Sea.
Walking through the old streets, there aren't crowds of tourists. Instead, the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful. Strolling slowly through the narrow alleys, you can see many old buildings preserved from the Edo period, and every turn reveals another piece of history.
Although Mitarai's former prosperity has faded, that's exactly what makes it feel like traveling through time.
With no need to rush, I simply walked around and took in the traces of time left on the old streets. It ended up being the most relaxing part of this trip. If you like historic streets, old buildings, and a sense of history, Mitarai is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Japan Heritage Mitarai Historic Streetscapes Preservation District | Review by Queenie
Other Reviews by Queenie
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Shobara Ueno Park
The park is developed around Ueno Pond, which spans an area of 2km in circumference. It's recognized as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" in Japan, with about 600 Somei Yoshino cherry trees planted around the pond that begin blooming in late March and reach their peak in early April.
Shobara Ueno Park is a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Hiroshima Prefecture, with about 600 Somei Yoshino cherry trees blooming all around the pond. Just imagining the whole expanse of pink reflected on the water during cherry blossom season—it must be so beautiful you'd never want to leave!
Unfortunately, this visit wasn't during cherry blossom season, so I missed the romantic sight of the trees in full bloom, which was a bit disappointing. I hear the nighttime cherry blossom illuminations here are also very popular. If I get another chance, I'll definitely come back when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and take in the whole beautiful view. -
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Hiroshima Botanical Garden
Spanning a vast 18.3 hectares, this botanical garden gathers about 200,000 plants from around 10,000 species worldwide. The "Great Greenhouse," a symbolic feature of the garden and among the largest in Western Japan, showcases a year-round bloom of colorful flowers, primarily orchids, creating a tropical atmosphere.
I took a stroll around Hiroshima Botanical Garden, and the grounds were really pleasant. The plants were all very well maintained. The biggest attraction is the “Great Greenhouse,” the largest in western Japan. It has all kinds of plants inside, so much that you hardly know where to look. It’s perfect for taking your time walking around and taking photos.
I came a little late in the season this time and was worried I might have missed the roses, but there were still quite a few beautiful ones. Although they weren’t at peak bloom, it was still a nice surprise.
The only thing to keep in mind is that there’s an uphill walk from the parking lot to the park entrance. It can be pretty hot and tiring in summer, so if you visit in midsummer, remember to use sun protection and bring water.
I also found a very generous discount: admission is only JPY 170 for visitors age 65 and older. Such a great deal!
Overall, it’s a great place to slow down and enjoy the greenery and the scent of flowers. If you like plants, it’s worth adding to your itinerary when visiting Hiroshima! -
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Yagenbori Hassho
Yagenbori Hassho is a top class popular restaurant, even within Hiroshima City that has many Okonomiyaki restaurants. People line-up in front of the restaurant every day, and it has a great deal of media coverage.
This really is one of Hiroshima's most popular restaurants. There's almost always a line, but once you try it, you'll understand why everyone is willing to wait. The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is freshly made on the griddle, with noodles fried until slightly charred and fragrant, and the cabbage's sweetness fully brought out. Every bite has layers of flavor, and eating it piping hot is incredibly satisfying. It's inexpensive, but the portions are very generous. One serving left me so full I didn't even need dinner.
If you don't want to wait too long, I recommend avoiding the peak lunch and dinner hours. Otherwise, a long line is completely normal. Still, I think this authentic Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is well worth it. -
