Shishiiwa Observatory (獅子岩展望台)

Flow of the course

About this spot

Located right next to Shishiiwa Station (獅子岩駅), the ropeway terminus, this observatory sits at an altitude of approximately 430 meters. Below spreads the iconic landscape of the Seto Inland Sea National Park—the beautiful vista of scattered islands—with numerous large and small islands such as Eta Island (江田島) and Nomi Island (能美島) layering repeatedly toward the horizon. On clear days, you can even see the mountain ranges of Shikoku in the distance. Shishiiwa Station has a shop where you can purchase light refreshments, making lunch with a view of this spectacular scenery truly special. The trail to Mount Misen's summit starts from here. First, absorb the scale of the Seto Inland Sea at this grand observatory, then proceed into your afternoon mountain walk.

Tips

You can purchase drinks and light meals at the shop at Shishiiwa Station. There are no shops on the mountain, so be sure to stock up here. The observatory has little shade from direct sunlight, so a hat is recommended for comfort. Benches tend to fill up around lunch time, so secure one early.

Best time to visit

Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Around midday, the light bounces off the sea surface, making the outlines of the islands stand out clearly.

Access & map

Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588