Introducing places of interest: Setonaikai National Park (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Cape Tomonoura & Abuto
[Sensuijima Island as seen
from the Taichoro Guesthouse]
Situated in the approximate center of the Seto Inland Sea, Tomonoura is famous as one of the finest representative places of scenic beauty in Setonaikai National Park (and has also been officially designated as National Scenic Beauty). Having prospered in days of old as a port of call for ships awaiting better wind and current conditions, Tomonoura now encompasses such areas as Tomo Bay and Sensuijima Island. The Taichoro Guesthouse, which is located in the precincts of Fukuzenji Temple, commands a fine view of Sensuijima Island, the sight of which was famous for having been extolled once upon a time as "the finest place of scenic beauty in Japan" by Korean envoy I-pan-on.
Sensuijima Island was formed as a result of volcanic activity during the Mesozoic and Cretaceous periods. Its beauty is said to be so great as to be capable of holding mountain hermits spellbound. Visitors can gaze upon its majestic sea cliffs and shoreline caverns.
The Omisen Observatory in Takamine affords a panoramic view of Bentenjima Island and the streets of Tomo.
Geiyo Islands
[Okunoshima Island]
Vantage points offering views of the Tajima seascape are located at various positions throughout the Geiyo Islands.
Mt. Fudekage in the city of Mihara is one such vantage point. The beauty of Tajima as seen from this location counts as one of the foremost vistas of the Seto Inland Sea.
Famous locations from which to obtain special views include Mt. Narutaki in Onomichi City, Mt. Takami on Mukaishima Island, and Mt. Kurotaki in Takehara City.
In the eastern end of the Geiyo Islands (through which the Shimanami Kaido highway passes), a number of islands—including Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Osakikamijima, and Shimojima—have been designated as belonging to the National ParkPark.
Also known as an island that had been erased from maps, Okunoshima Island features the remains of a chemical weapons plant that was in operation during the war. Today, the entire island is a National Park Resort Village where visitors can encounter historical heritage sites or enjoy sea bathing, hiking, or other activities that involve coming into contact with nature.
Various locations on Innoshima Island have been designated as belonging to the National Park, including Mt. Shirataki, said to have been a base used by the Murakami navy; Mt. Tengu, located in the center of the island; and Innoshima Park and Tengu-no-Hana, found in the southern part of Innoshima.
While only Mt. Kannon in the southwestern part of Ikuchijima Island has been designated a part of the National Park, this is an island with many prominent temples, including Kojoji Temple and Kosanji Temple.
Located in the western end of the Geiyo Islands and facing Itsukinade are a number of areas that have been designated as belonging to the National Park. These areas consist of Mt. Kan'nomine in the southeastern section of Osakikamijima Island, the eastern section of Osakishimojima Island, and Mt. Minedera in its entirety.
Also situated on Osakishimojima is the community of Mitarai, which flourished in more recent times as a port town used by ships awaiting better wind conditions.
Mt. Noro, Mt. Yasumi, Kurahashijima Island
[The view of the Seto Inland Sea
from Mt. Yasumi]
Rising 839 meters above sea level and situated in Kure City, Mt. Noro is the name given to a plateau extending two kilometers from east to west linking Mt. Zendana to Mt. Kohoji.
The second-highest peak in Setonaikai National Park after Mt. Rokko in Kobe, Mt. Noro commands a spectacular view and can be accessed using a motorway named the Sazanami Skyline. Visitors can engage in mountaineering, camping, or other outdoor pursuits; explore the natural environment in all four seasons; or savor various historical points of interest year-round, including Noro Jinja Shrine and Kohoji Temple.
Mt. Yasumi is a peak rising 497 meters above sea level and comprises the peninsula at the southwest end of the urban area of Kure City. It offers excellent vantage points and can be accessed by a skyline roadway.
Kurahashijima Island is an island situated in Hiroshima Bay and is separated from the mainland by the Ondo-no-Seto Strait. The parts of the island designated as belonging to the Setonaikai National Park consist of Kamegakubi in the eastern part of the island and Karoto and Katsurahama in the southern part of the island.
Miyajima & Mt. Goruraku
[Miyajima]
All of Miyajima, a rectangular island measuring 30 kilometers around its perimeter, has been designated a part of the Setonaikai National Park. It is formally known as Itsukushima, a name that can mean "an island in the service of the gods".
Known since days of old as a sacred site, Miyajima is one of the three most famous views in Japan and was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in November 1996. The Misen Primeval Forest constitutes a mixed forest of conifers (hemlock fir and fir trees) and evergreen broad-leaved trees (such as white oak trees) growing on the upper half of Mt. Misen. Having retained its primeval essence to this day, this representative warm-temperate forest has been designated a natural monument of Japan.
Mt. Gokurakuji is a peak situated in the north end of Hatsukaichi City. Located on the mountain is Gokurakuji Temple, which is affiliated with the Shingon sect of Buddhism. From the precincts of this temple, one can admire a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. A natural forest of fir trees lies within the temple grounds since they were fortunately spared from being felled even during the war.