One of Hiroshima's best features is its many islands and views along the Seto inland sea. What better way to enjoy this aspect of the area than on a personally booked yacht, sailboat or aboard one of the larger dinner cruise boats.
If you are looking for a short active trip across the water to Miyajima island on your own steam, it's great fun to book a day paddling a kayak in Miyajima with the Paddle Park.
If you'd prefer a small boat, Sail Hiroshima offers cruises to Miyajima from the Marina Hop outdoor shopping mall's Kannon port. You can rent your own sailboat/yacht for 1-3 people boat for a full day.
Looking for something more classy or refined? There are dinner cruises and sunset cruises on a larger boat that leave from the Ujina Port. The Ginga cruise liner regularly offers lunch or dinner cruises to Miyajima on their large boat that cost from around 5,000 yen per person (including a nice meal).
I had the treat of trying out a sunset cruise that left from the Cannery Row boat harbor on a catamaran. This 12 passenger catamaran is based here in Hiroshima can be booked for sunset cruises like we did, full day or overnight cruises that would take you further away. The boat is really high-class and there is room inside and seating for about 8 on the back deck around a table. It was also fun hanging out on the front of the boat, enjoying the breeze and open water views. Our sunset cruise destination was the island of Miyajima's giant red Tori gate that stands prominently in front of the floating Itsukushima shrine.
Just a few minutes after leaving port, we passed the nearby, modern building of the Yoshijima Incineration Plant. Then we saw the Ferris wheel of the outdoor Marina Hop shopping mall. We then passed by some tall ship-building cranes poised high overhead. It took just under 2 hours using the motor to reach Miyajima.
Although a booking with Sail Hiroshima, or on the Ginga dinner or lunch cruise can be booked individually, this catamaran can only be booked out completely. For a group of 10 adults, it would be around 10,000 yen per person and doesn't include any food or drinks. We dined potluck style and it was a great experience with friends. The yacht is very posh, the engine is so quiet, the trip was beautiful and very comfortable. The staff are really friendly, professional and speak a little English too.
