1-Day Tour: Takehara Historical Townscape, Sake Tasting & Rabbit Island

Located within Hiroshima prefecture, Takehara is a charming and beautiful city on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. In the past, Takehara flourished as a port town known for its sake and salt production. Today, many buildings dating as far back as the Edo period can still be found in the city, preserved in such a way that one can feel as though they are walking through streets in the past. With its tranquil atmosphere and old-fashioned structures, it is no wonder Takehara is also known to many as the “Little Kyoto” of Aki.

The beauty and history of this city extends out into the sea, where one can find Ōkunoshima, popularly known as “Rabbit Island.” As the name suggests, this island contains a large wild rabbit population, but it also houses a dark secret. Originally a peaceful and isolated island near the coast, Ōkunoshima was chosen as the ideal place to develop chemical weapons such as poison gas to aid the Japanese military. According to most people, the rabbits that now live there are the descendants of old test subjects. In the present, the island presents an interesting contrast between haunting ruins and adorable bunnies.

Enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable day exploring Hiroshima’s very own “Little Kyoto” and interacting with the cute rabbits of Ōkunoshima. Immerse yourself in the past and take a stroll through history and time by joining this 1-day tour in Takehara.

Highlights

• Explore Takehara’s historic district and experience “old-Japan”
• Tour preserved buildings and structures to learn more about the history of the city
• Taste the unique and famed sake of Takehara in one of its historical breweries
• Enjoy a short ferry ride to Ōkunoshima
• Revel in the unique experience of feeding and greeting the large number of wild rabbits on the island
• Visit the different ruins located throughout Ōkunoshima to understand the island’s past and history
• Admire the beautiful, unobstructed view of the Seto Inland Sea and feel the ocean breeze as you walk along the coast

*For those looking to join the tour from Kyoto/Osaka, please see the FAQ section.

Description

This tour will begin at Hiroshima Station at 8:00 AM. Your guide will meet you by the Shinkansen Gates under the Tourist Information sign. There are coin lockers available at the station if you wish to leave any belongings behind, but we ask that you show up a bit earlier to the meet-up spot if this is the case.

From here, you will head to your first destination, the Takehara Townscape Conservation Area.

Within the historical townscape, your guide will take you on a short stroll through Honmachi street. Along the way, you will make several stops, where your guide will provide context and information about the different locations and their history.

The first place you will visit together is Saihoji, a Zhen Buddhist temple with architecture reflecting that of the mid-Edo period. Within the temple grounds is also Fumeikaku, otherwise known as Kannon Hall. This hall was built later than Saihoji to enshrine an eleven-headed Kannon statue. This structure can be seen from anywhere in the townscape, and in turn, its platform provides a fantastic view of the entire district.

The next stop is the former Matsusaka family residence; a perfect example of Takehara’s architecture as well as the typical housing of a wealthy merchant during the Edo period. Inside this building, you will be able to observe many of the artifacts belonging to its previous inhabitants and gain a better understanding of the daily life of a Japanese merchant in the past.

After, your guide will take you to the Okakae Jizō Statue housed in a small nearby hut. Jizō statues are said to protect children and travelers.  The importance of this particular statue lies in its claimed mystical powers. According to local legend, if you pick up the Okakae Jizō, make a wish, and the statue feels lighter than you expected, then your wish will come true. This fairly unique activity will give you a first-hand experience of Japanese folklore and traditions.

Lastly, a visit to Takehara is not complete without some sake tasting. Since the Edo period, this city has been well known for its sake production with high-quality “soft water.” Your tour guide will take you to one of the townscape’s old breweries, where they will explain the brewing process and the history of sake in Takehara. You will then be able to taste some of these famed drinks.

After this, you will be able to enjoy some free time within the townscape. You will have the opportunity to grab a quick bite in one of the many restaurants which line the streets or take part in other activities of your choice. There are more residences available for visits, souvenir shops, and other sake breweries which offer tasting experiences. You can even spend your time walking down the different alleys in the district to immerse yourself further in the history of the city.

From here, your guide will take you to your next destination, Tadanoumi Port. This is where you will board the ferry to head to Rabbit Island. At the port, you will have the chance to purchase souvenirs or food for the rabbits on the island. The cost of one bag of rabbit food is included in this tour but you can buy more or bring your own as well. Japanese guests often bring fresh produce from home to the island to feed the rabbits, so please feel free to do so as well.

Once you arrive on the island, your guide will take you on a brief stroll along the coast, stopping at different ruins and explaining the dark past of the island. Some of the places you will visit include the Power Station Ruins and the Nagaura Poison Gas Storehouse Ruins. You will learn about the role of this island during Japan’s different armed conflicts and the impact that chemical weapons manufacturing had on the island’s residents.

After this part of the tour, you will have plenty of free time to explore the island on your own. While most people prefer to simply walk around feeding rabbits and taking pictures with them, there are other activities which one can enjoy. You can choose to soak in the hot springs at the Kyukamura Ōkunoshima hotel, rent a bicycle to explore the island, hike to the observation desk, visit the lighthouse, or eat a tasty meal at the restaurant within the hotel.

The tour ends with one final ferry ride back to the mainland and one last train ride to Hiroshima Station, where your guide will say their goodbyes in front of the Shinkansen gates. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

HIROSHIMA STATION @ 8:00 A.M.

The meetup point is under the Tourist Information sign outside of the Shinkansen gates. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the sign will be located directly to your left as you exit the gates.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Shinkansen gates. It is located on the same floor as the JR lines gates.

For those coming from outside the station via bus, your first task will be to find an Underground Passage and then following the signs directing you to Hiroshima Station. These underground passages are usually located very close to bus stops. Once you have made it to Hiroshima Station, follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

For those coming from outside the station via Streetcar, Hiroshima Station will be right next to you. Follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

Lastly, if you wish to arrive via taxi, please ask the driver to drop you off at the Shinkansen Entrance (also known as North Entrance). After arriving, please look for signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

When you arrive, be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Hiroshima Station is currently under heavy construction and can be quite disorienting.   

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Entry fees at all tour locations
• Rabbit food
• Sake tasting
• Transportation between activities (ferry included)

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to meet-up point

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 32 °C (90 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol, sunblock, and water are highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures in Hiroshima average between 1°C-10°C. (34°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions. The temperature at the top of Mt. Misen can sometimes even drop below freezing, so we recommend wearing multiple layers which can be put on or taken off as temperatures fluctuate.