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Sanyo Shinkansen Guide · Mihara Station
Best Hotels Near Mihara Station: Port, Castle Ruins &
the Ferries to the Inland Sea Islands
A Kodama-and-Hikari Stop · Built on a Castle · Airport Buses, Island Boats & Octopus
🚄 Shin-Osaka ~1 hr 20 min · Hiroshima ~15 min
🏰 The station sits on the ruins of Mihara Castle
⛴ Ferries to Setoda, Ikuchijima and the Shimanami islands
✈️ The rail gateway to Hiroshima Airport
On this page
What Kind of Area is Mihara? A Local’s Honest Take
Mihara is a port city on the Inland Sea with a curious distinction: the shinkansen station is built directly on the site of Mihara Castle, and a surviving stone wall and moat sit right beside the platforms. It is a practical, friendly town rather than a major sight — known locally for its octopus (tako) — but it is a useful hub: the closest shinkansen stop with convenient buses to Hiroshima Airport, and a ferry port for the beautiful islands of the central Inland Sea, including Setoda on the Shimanami route.
Kodama and some Hikari and Sakura stop here, about 80 minutes from Shin-Osaka. Most travelers use Mihara for the airport connection or the island ferries, or as a quieter alternative gateway toward the Shimanami Kaido.
From Mihara’s port you can take a boat to Ikuchijima (Setoda), a sunny island of lemon groves, the extravagant Kosanji temple and a hilltop marble garden — a delightful and easy Inland Sea day trip.
Getting Around from Mihara
🚄 Shinkansen
Shin-Osaka ~1 hr 20 min · Fukuyama ~10 min · Hiroshima ~15 min. Kodama and some Hikari/Sakura stop.
✈️ To Hiroshima Airport
Buses connect Mihara to Hiroshima Airport in about 15 minutes — the handiest rail-to-air link in the area.
⛴ Island ferries
Boats from Mihara port serve Setoda/Ikuchijima and other central Inland Sea islands.
What to See Around Mihara
🏰 Mihara Castle Ruins
The stone walls and moat of the old sea castle, unusually integrated with the modern station — a quick, free look on arrival.
⛴ Setoda & Ikuchijima
A lemon-scented island of temples, art and sea views on the Shimanami island chain, reached by ferry.
⛩️ Buttsuji Temple
A serene Zen temple in the hills above Mihara, lovely in autumn colour — a peaceful inland excursion.
Where Should You Actually Stay?
Mihara’s hotels are practical, aimed at the airport and ferries.
🏨 Station-front: Business hotels beside the station suit early flights and island day trips.
⛴ Island stays: For scenery, a night on Setoda/Ikuchijima among the lemon groves is a lovely alternative.
🏰 City bases: Hiroshima is 15 minutes on for a full city with more choice.
Overall Rating: Mihara Area
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Access | ★★★★☆ | Kodama/some Hikari, ~80 min to Shin-Osaka |
| Around the Station | ★★★☆☆ | Port town; castle ruins by the platform |
| Gateway Value | ★★★★☆ | Airport buses and island ferries |
| Hotel Choice | ★★★☆☆ | Practical; island stays nearby |
| Charm & Atmosphere | ★★★☆☆ | Easygoing Inland Sea port |
Who Should Stay Here?
✔ Travelers using Hiroshima Airport
✔ Island-hoppers to Setoda and the Shimanami
✔ Octopus and seafood eaters
✔ Zen-temple visitors to Buttsuji
