Mihara
Discover Mihara
Mihara (三原) is a city in Hiroshima prefecture. Mihara’s main points of interest are probably its views over the islands and some beautiful natural spots inland. With several train lines and ferry lines, it is also well located to explore the region. There are quite a few interesting places to eat and drink in the main city, most of them within walking distance. “Mihara city” usually designates a rather large area (470 km²) including the inner city itself, some more or less wild areas, as well as the Hiroshima Airport, Kosagi Island (小佐木島) and Sagi Island (佐木島). The city is on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, facing the northern half of the Shimani (島並), the chain of islands linking Onomichi on the Honshu Island and Imabari on the Shikoku Island. In 2020, it was home to 91,000 people. Its population has been declining since the mid-1980s.
What to Experience in Mihara
Taste of Mihara...
Most eating and drinking places are in the pedestrian area south of Mihara Station. There are also a couple places at the Airport and in the Sunami area. As in the rest of Japan, many places like the izakaya are difficult to categorize as either eating or drinking establishment. While you can go to an izakaya only to drink, as a matter of etiquette it is generally understood that you should also order at least a couple plates. Most hotels are near Mihara Station or next to Hiroshima Airport. Mostly typical business hotels with a few more "traditional". In Takehara city (竹原) you can reach Okunoshima (大久野島) by ferry from the Mihara or Sunami ports (week-ends), or everyday from Tadano-umi (忠海), which is accessible via the Kure line. Tadano-umi also has some impressive views from up the mounts Kurotaki (黒滝山) and Shirotaki (白滝). It takes about 30 min by foot from the station to the entrance of the mountain path. Takehara itself is an old merchant city, whose traditional buildings have been preserved in the Takehara Townscape Conservation Area. On the other side via the Sanyo line, Onomichi has the famous temple Senkouji (千光寺). It is also the northern gate of the shimanamikaidou, the highway crossing the islands chain. Up north inland, the city of Miyoshi (see the Momonoke youkai museum) can be reached via the Sanyo line with a transfer to the Fukuen line in Fukuyama.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsHiroshima Airport (HIJ IATA) is located in Mihara city. However it is not connected to the train line and one must take a bus to the Mihara Station (around 40 min and ¥900). The Shinkansen goes through the Mihara Station, however only the Kodama line stops here. Coming from Hiroshima, it takes about 30 min and ¥3500. Coming from Osaka or Tokyo, it is possible to take the Kodama line all the way through although it is usually much faster to take the Sakura or Nozomi line and change in Fukuyama. The local lines Kure and Sanyo share the same station as the Shinkansen. The Kure (呉) line goes along the coast from Mihara to Hiroshima, via Takehara and Kure. The Sanyo (山陽) line goes mainly inland from Kurashiki to Hiroshima, via Fukuyama, Onomichi, Mihara and Higashi-Hiroshima. There are also several ferry lines and bus lines (see below). Going around the wider Mihara city is can be done via the local train lines or by bus....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Going around the wider Mihara city is can be done via the local train lines or by bus. As in most places in Japan, the number of buses per day can be surprising given the rurality of some areas. The bus schedules on Google Map seem to be pretty accurate. Still, going inland can be very time consuming via public transports. The inner city is fully accessible by walking (30 min at most to get anywhere). There is also a car rental company nearby. There are many taxis around the station, and it should take at most ¥1000 to get anywhere within the inner city. It is possible to rent bicycles near the tourist office at the train station. Various types are available (regular, electric, race, for children) for ¥1000-2000 per day. The office opens at 08:000 and the bicycles must be returned by 17:00. An identity document (passport, licence, ...) will be scanned as guarantee but the procedure is rather simple.
Where to Stay
Most hotels are near Mihara Station or next to Hiroshima Airport. Mostly typical business hotels with a few more "traditional". In Takehara city (竹原) you can reach Okunoshima (大久野島) by ferry from the Mihara or Sunami ports (week-ends), or everyday from Tadano-umi (忠海), which is accessible via the Kure line. Tadano-umi also has some impressive views from up the mounts Kurotaki (黒滝山) and Shirotaki (白滝). It takes about 30 min by foot from the station to the entrance of the mountain path. Takehara itself is an old merchant city, whose traditional buildings have been preserved in the Takehara Townscape Conservation Area. On the other side via the Sanyo line, Onomichi has the famous temple Senkouji (千光寺). It is also the northern gate of the shimanamikaidou, the highway crossing the islands chain. Up north inland, the city of Miyoshi (see the Momonoke youkai museum) can be reached via the Sanyo line with a transfer to the Fukuen line in Fukuyama.
Money & Budget
Most eating and drinking places are in the pedestrian area south of Mihara Station. There are also a couple places at the Airport and in the Sunami area. As in the rest of Japan, many places like the izakaya are difficult to categorize as either eating or drinking establishment. While you can go to an izakaya only to drink, as a matter of etiquette it is generally understood that you should also order at least a couple plates. Most hotels are near Mihara Station or next to Hiroshima Airport. Mostly typical business hotels with a few more "traditional". In Takehara city (竹原) you can reach Okunoshima (大久野島) by ferry from the Mihara or Sunami ports (week-ends), or everyday from Tadano-umi (忠海), which is accessible via the Kure line.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Mihara
Cherry Blossom
Cherry Blossom
a japanese boy is slowly walking to the kindergarten in the early morning.
A child runs past a playground and school.
Cherry Blossom
Cherry Blossom
a japanese boy is slowly walking to the kindergarten in the early morning.
A child runs past a playground and school.
Cherry Blossom
Cherry Blossom
a japanese boy is slowly walking to the kindergarten in the early morning.
A child runs past a playground and school.
Cherry Blossom