Takehara
Discover Takehara
Takehara City (竹原市) includes the main town of Takehara, a couple towns along the coast and the island of Okunoshima (大久野島), which has a separate article. It is mainly famous for the latter island and Takehara Townscape Conservation Area, its preserved historical center. From the Edo to the Meiji eras (17th-19th centuries), Takehara was a major center of trade and of salt and sake production. It is now a quiet country town living essentially on tourism and agriculture.
What to Experience in Takehara
Taste of Takehara...
Most activity is concentrated around the main street, with a couple more places around the Takehara station. Going along the Kure line you can go west towards Kure and Hiroshima, or east towards Mihara and Onomichi. With a ferry you can go south to the island of Osakikamijima (大崎上島), and eventually continue across the sea to Imabari on the Shikoku island.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere is a bus from the Hiroshima airport. By train, Takehara is accessible via the Kure line. You can get around the main town by walking. The adjacents towns are deserved by the Kure train (about every 1½ hr) and local buses. The Takehara Townscape Conservation Area is the remnant of the city's more prosperous days. Traditional houses of the former salt and sake merchants line up along the main street (hondori). Most of them are inhabited by families, while some of them are being used as shops, hotels and restaurants. Standing out among the Japanese buildings, the white Western-style mansion is a former library and learning center. It now hosts a statue of Taketsuru Masataka, a pioneer of the Japanese whisky industry, and a small museum dedicated to the history and customs of the city. Above the main street, a few temples give a panoramic view of the city. Okunoshima, also known as "Rabbit island", famous for its numerous rabbits roaming the island....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You can get around the main town by walking. The adjacents towns are deserved by the Kure train (about every 1½ hr) and local buses. The Takehara Townscape Conservation Area is the remnant of the city's more prosperous days. Traditional houses of the former salt and sake merchants line up along the main street (hondori). Most of them are inhabited by families, while some of them are being used as shops, hotels and restaurants. Standing out among the Japanese buildings, the white Western-style mansion is a former library and learning center. It now hosts a statue of Taketsuru Masataka, a pioneer of the Japanese whisky industry, and a small museum dedicated to the history and customs of the city. Above the main street, a few temples give a panoramic view of the city. Okunoshima, also known as "Rabbit island", famous for its numerous rabbits roaming the island.
Where to Stay
Going along the Kure line you can go west towards Kure and Hiroshima, or east towards Mihara and Onomichi. With a ferry you can go south to the island of Osakikamijima (大崎上島), and eventually continue across the sea to Imabari on the Shikoku island.
Money & Budget
There are several shops along the main street with souvenirs, local specialities, sake and so on. As of July 2022, many are closed during the week due to the lack of tourists. Most activity is concentrated around the main street, with a couple more places around the Takehara station. Going along the Kure line you can go west towards Kure and Hiroshima, or east towards Mihara and Onomichi. With a ferry you can go south to the island of Osakikamijima (大崎上島), and eventually continue across the sea to Imabari on the Shikoku island.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Takehara
Sunbeams shine over islands in a calm sea
Hills and trees overlook a calm blue bay.
A cute fluffy bunny sitting in the grass.
Traditional japanese pavilion against a blue sky
A traditional japanese shrine nestled among trees.
Heart shape made from small yellow beans on black background
Dark tunnel with glowing lights and a person.
Traditional japanese temple structure against a blue sky
Delicate white flower with pink center and curling stamens
Traditional japanese street with old buildings and mountains.
Sunbeams shine over islands in a calm sea
Hills and trees overlook a calm blue bay.
A cute fluffy bunny sitting in the grass.