Explore the islands in a stylish small cruise ship!

Has there ever been a tour where you could fully enjoy the islands of the Seto Inland Sea this much?

What's more, boarding this stylish small cruise ship, SEA SPICA, will be an adventure in itself!

Features of this Cruising

-Shimo-Kamagarijima Island

-Okunoshima Island

-Osaki-shimojima Island, Mitarai District

Features of this small cruise ship

Maps

-Courses

-Hiroshima Port

-Mihara Port

Features of this Cruising

The Seto Inland Sea is a very calm, lake-like sea with many islands floating in the water.

Many of these islands, of various sizes and shapes, are home to people who live and work there.

On this cruise, you will see these islands up close, stopping by two of the most distinctive islands.

(There are two courses; Eastbound and the Westbound, and each course stops by two islands.)

Shimo-Kamagarijima Island

Duration of stay: 70 minutes. For the Eastbound course only.

In Edo period (1603-1868),  San-no-se district of this island, where you will stop by during this cruising, became an important place that was called Shukueki on a highway -kaidou- in Japan.

Of course, kaidou was not a route on land, but on the sea.

As it was a very important place, this district was used as a reception center by the Hiroshima-Han (Han: the land owned by feudal lords in those days) when the Korea’s Joseon missions to Japan visited Japan.

There are many records of this event, which are displayed in a museum called Shoutouen -松濤園-.

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Okunoshima Island

Duration of stay: 30 minutes. For both courses.

Okunoshima Island is also called "Rabbit Island," as more than 500 rabbits live on it.

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

This is a very peaceful and quiet island; no house except for only one lodging facility. But it actually has a sad history.

From 1929 to 1945, this island was used to produce chemical weapons (toxic gas) for use in World War II. Since it was a national secret, the island was removed from the map at the time.

This quiet island is a place where you can spend peaceful time and also learn about its importance from its history.

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Osaki-shimojima Island, Mitarai district

Duration of stay: 60 minutes. For Westbound course only.

Since the Edo period (1603-1868), this area had been prosperous as a port for "kazemachi" (waiting for the wind) and "shiomachi" (waiting for the tide).

As the words show, the port was used as a place to wait for the appropriate wind to blow and the tide to flow.

In those days, boats were not motor-powered like those of today.

Since they had to sail, the wind and tide, which changed from time to time, were very important.

Being located where the tidal currents were calm, many boats waited in this area and the town prospered as people and the crowdedness from the boats gathered. You can imagine how the houses were crowded together in those days, with narrow alleys lined with houses.

Some of the cultural buildings still remain, and you can even enter them.

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

Features of this small cruise ship

The best part of this cruise ship is the observation deck where you can enjoy the scenery while the sea breeze blows.

The islands of different shapes and sizes, as well as the bridges you can see above your head, will keep you entertained throughout the cruise; of course, wheelchair users can also safely go up to the deck.

The interior of this ship is also very comfortable, with seats designed to allow you to easily enjoy viewing outside.

Charters are also available.

Contact: +81-82-253-5501

Maps

Courses

The map below shows the major attractions.

Depart from Hiroshima Port (for Eastbound Course)

You can also get on and off the ship at Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima.

The pier of Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima

Depart from Mihara Port (for Westbound Course)