Located about 90 minutes from Hiroshima Station, Takehara is a well-preserved Edo-period town known for its merchant houses, sake breweries, stone-paved lanes, and calm atmosphere. It prospered through salt production and sake brewing, and today remains one of the best-preserved historic towns in the Hiroshima region.

Takehara is one of the most important regions in the history of sake. During the Meiji period, brewing techniques using Hiroshima’s soft water were developed here, laying the foundation for modern ginjō sake.

On this tour, you explore the historic streets of Takehara with a guide before boarding local fishing boats and cruising through the Seto Inland Sea. These are working local vessels used by fishermen and island residents, offering a closer connection to the sea and everyday life of Setouchi.

The boat heads towards Ōsaki Kamijima, an island that’s still not connected to the mainland by bridge and retains the atmosphere of traditional island life. You visit Higashino for the Sumiyoshi Festival, one of the island’s local summer festivals, where lanterns line the harbour, food stalls gather around the waterfront, and local families enjoy the evening together.

When night falls, you watch fireworks from the sea. Away from the crowds, the combination of island silhouettes, calm water, sea breeze, and fireworks creates a distinctly Setouchi summer atmosphere rarely experienced by overseas visitors.

See our blog post about the joys of Japan's summer fireworks.

Itinerary

• 15:00 | Meet at JR Takehara Station

  Walk through the historic Takehara Preservation District with a guide, including time to rest at a renovated traditional townhouse café.

• 17:30 | Depart from Takehara Port

  Board local fishing boats and cruise through the island scenery of the Seto Inland Sea towards Ōsaki Kamijima. Visit one of the island’s local summer festivals and experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival with lanterns, food stalls, and local residents gathering around the harbour.

• 20:30–21:00 | Fireworks viewing cruise

  Watch fireworks from the sea while cruising through the calm waters of Setouchi.

• 21:30 | Return to Takehara Port

  Private charter bus departs for Hiroshima. Expected arrival in central Hiroshima around 23:00.