Things to Do in Takehara (竹原市), Hiroshima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Takehara (竹原市) in Hiroshima Prefecture (Chugoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Takehara Townscape Preservation District (Little Kyoto of Aki), Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) Ferry Port, Saihoji Temple & Fumeikaku and served by Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) via the regional hub at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen). Set at 19 m elevation (34.3417°N, 132.9069°E), Takehara offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles, Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki), Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) cuisine and exploring neighboring Ōsakikamijima (大崎上島町) (10.9 km), Mihara (三原市) (16.9 km), Higashihiroshima (東広島市) (17.7 km), Kamijima (上島町) (28.1 km).

Mihara is located in south-central Hiroshima Prefecture. It faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south. The Takehara area is part of ancient Aki Province and has been settled since prehistoric times. During the Heian period, it was the location of a shōen landed estate controlled by Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto Known as a port town since the Muromachi period, it prospered as a center of the salt industry in the latter half of the Edo period under the control of Hiroshima Domain. Takehara's economy is based on agriculture, commercial fishing and food processing. Within Hiroshima Prefecture, Takehara (竹原市) serves as a city in Hiroshima Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1958-11-03) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

What to See & Do in Takehara (竹原市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Takehara (竹原市) from Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) at 19 m elevation (34.3417°N, 132.9069°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Takehara):

• Takehara Townscape Preservation District (Little Kyoto of Aki) — local sightseeing landmark near Takehara (竹原市).
• Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) Ferry Port — local sightseeing landmark near Takehara (竹原市).
• Saihoji Temple & Fumeikaku — local sightseeing landmark near Takehara (竹原市).
• Takehara Bamboo Craft Center — local sightseeing landmark near Takehara (竹原市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Takehara: Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) (connecting to Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Takehara

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Takehara (竹原市) and Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hiroshima Prefecture and Chugoku:

• Ōsakikamijima (大崎上島町) — 10.9 km from Takehara (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Mihara (三原市) — 16.9 km from Takehara (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Higashihiroshima (東広島市) — 17.7 km from Takehara (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Kamijima (上島町) — 28.1 km from Takehara (Ehime Prefecture)
• Onomichi (尾道市) — 28.2 km from Takehara (Hiroshima Prefecture)

Getting to Takehara & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Takehara (竹原市) via Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km): 1h 25m from Shin-Osaka, 1h 38m from Kyoto, or 3h 55m from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen. From Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) to reach central Takehara (34.3417°N, 132.9069°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Hiroshima with Takehara (竹原市) and neighboring Ōsakikamijima, Mihara, Higashihiroshima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Takehara, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Takehara and continuing toward Ōsakikamijima can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Takehara: While Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) anchors public transit for Takehara, picking up a rental car at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Takehara Townscape Preservation District (Little Kyoto of Aki) and Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) Ferry Port with nearby Ōsakikamijima (大崎上島町) (10.9 km), Mihara (三原市) (16.9 km), Higashihiroshima (東広島市) (17.7 km), Kamijima (上島町) (28.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Takehara (竹原市) & Hiroshima

Dining near Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) and across Takehara (竹原市) highlights the regional food culture of Hiroshima Prefecture and Chugoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Takehara:

• Local specialty & terroir of Takehara (竹原市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles — regional specialty enjoyed across Takehara (竹原市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki) — regional specialty enjoyed across Takehara (竹原市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Takehara (竹原市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Onomichi soy-backfat ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Takehara (竹原市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Anago-meshi (conger eel over rice) — regional specialty enjoyed across Takehara (竹原市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Takehara (竹原市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km).

Where to Stay in Takehara (竹原市)

Visitors staying overnight in Takehara (竹原市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Hiroshima (Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)) or neighboring Ōsakikamijima, Mihara, Higashihiroshima for quick train access into Takehara. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Takehara & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Takehara (竹原市, 19 m elevation at 34.3417°N, 132.9069°E): Late March–April for cherry blossoms at Peace Park, Miyajima & Senko-ji (Onomichi); November for Momijidani Park autumn maples on Miyajima; spring/autumn for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

Wider sightseeing across Hiroshima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Takehara Townscape Preservation District (Little Kyoto of Aki) in Takehara (竹原市) includes: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

Practical Travel Tips for Takehara (竹原市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Takehara: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) or Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) for local bus schedules to Takehara Townscape Preservation District (Little Kyoto of Aki) and walking maps of Takehara (竹原市).
• Cash & ATMs in Takehara: Convenience stores and major hotels around Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Takehara Townscape Preservation District (Little Kyoto of Aki) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Takehara accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Takehara: Around Takehara Station (竹原駅) (0.5 km) and neighboring Ōsakikamijima, Mihara, Higashihiroshima, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.