Traveling by Bus on a Budget from Hiroshima

Feb 22, 2023

Traveling by Bus on a Budget from Hiroshima

In addition to sites within the city itself, there’s plenty to explore around Hiroshima. A convenient and cost-effective way to travel is by bus. International visitors can take advantage of discount bus tickets to ride at a fraction of the regular price. There are several places, in particular, you should consider visiting.

Shimane Prefecture

Buses from Hiroshima can take you to several destinations in Shimane, spanning the prefecture from Matsue to Hamada.

A highlight of Matsue is the castle, which dates back to the early Edo period. Climb six levels up the tower to see views of the city beyond.

Another place to visit is one of the oldest, most important shrines in the country: Izumo Taisha. It is dedicated to Okuninushi (the god of marriage) and Kotoamatsukami, the first deities in the Shinto religion who came into existence with the creation of the universe.

If you want to relax, head to Tamatsukuri Onsen — a hot spring where the water is famously beneficial for the skin. Tamatsukuri Onsen is near enough to Izumo Taisha to visit both places in one trip. In addition to taking a soak, you can try some delicious food in one of the many traditional restaurants. For the whole Japanese experience, stay overnight in a ryokan.

Tottori Prefecture

You can take an express bus from Hiroshima to Yonago in Tottori. From there, travel to Daisen-Oki National Park to see impressive sites around the dormant stratovolcano. Take a hike up the sacred mountain to reach Ogamiyama Shrine. The surroundings differ according to the season, but walking through the forest is stunning, whatever time of year you decide to go.

In Tottori city, you’ll find the largest sand dunes in Japan with views of the sea beyond. There are plenty of activities to enjoy along this 14-kilometer stretch of sand, including paragliding, camel riding, and a sand museum featuring impressive sand sculptures.

Akiota

Just a one-hour bus ride from Hiroshima is Akiota. Tourists mainly come to the town to visit Sandankyo Gorge, which spans 16 kilometers and has rock walls reaching as high as 100 meters. As well as hiking to the three waterfalls, you can kayak or go stand-up paddle boarding down the Shibaki River.

Miyoshi

A couple of places in Miyoshi make it worth the hour-and-a-half bus ride from Hiroshima. For example, Ozekiyama Park is a top location in the area to visit in spring for the cherry blossoms and in the fall for the autumn leaves. The park is set atop a hill where an observatory offers panoramic city views. There’s also Mononoke Museum, which is about yokai — spirits and monsters from Japanese folklore. Here, you’ll find all sorts of artwork from the Edo period.

Express buses travel between Hiroshima Station and Hiroshima Bus Center to a number of destinations for just 500 yen — reduced from as much as 4,000 yen. Alternatively, you can purchase a Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass for unlimited boarding and disembarking for one, two, or three days. Both are great ways to see more of the surrounding towns, cities, and places of natural beauty.

Kitakyushuhamojiko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons