One Day Fukuyama Castle Tomonoura and Sensui jima Island Tour

Fukuyama castle was built with the intention of intimidating the feudal lords in the western part of the country and demonstrating the authority of the shogunate, Japan’s military government. The castle’s many turrets and its impressive five tiered Main Keep were meant to serve as a deterrent against rebellion from local lords living far from the capital in Edo. As guests walk within the castle grounds and gaze upon the Castle Tower, they will be able to picture how this imposing and formidable structure might have impacted the decisions of feudal lords in the past. Your guide will also take you inside the Main Keep, which has been converted into a museum explaining the founding of the city of Fukuyama and the history of the man who built the castle, Katsunari Mizuno. Inside the museum, guests can read exhibits, watch short videos, and participate in some interactive challenges to gain a better understanding of the castle’s history.

For such a small town, Tomonoura is packed with temples, residences, and other structures which help visitors visualize the once thriving area. At the pier, some of the facilities remaining, such as the lighthouse and tiered dock, have been around since the Edo Period. Nunakuma Shrine, an impressive Shinto Shrine nestled at the foot of a mountain and possessing a collapsable Noh theater stage, is further proof of the importance this town once held. Your guide will take you on a stroll around Tomonoura, visiting these relevant sites and providing all necessary background information so that the history of this port town unfolds before your eyes.

Once we arrive at Sensui jima your guide will take you on a short hike throughout the small island, stopping at two different observatory hills, Senningaoka and Akaiwa, as well as two beaches, Tanoura and Hikoura. Since this is an uninhabited island, it provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy nature in a peaceful and relaxing environment. Depending on the time of the year, you might find yourself being the only person walking around the island. Visiting in spring and summer, when the camping sites and beach are mostly in use might disrupt the peace of Sensui jima but allows for a livelier experience. This small island with its breathtaking view of the sea is truly one of the hidden gems of Hiroshima.