Hiroshima Etajima Island - Local Hot Springs & Local Lunch (5 Hours)
Escape the city and experience a more local side of Hiroshima with this private car tour.
Travel to Etajima and explore the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea surrounded by quiet islands and coastal scenery.
Before lunch, treat yourself to one of Hiroshima Prefecture's most unique natural hot springs. Enjoy a local lunch and visit a panoramic viewpoint with naval history. A perfect balance of nature and local experience.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- - Other options: Hiroshima Station/ Port/Airport. Your guide will pick you up in a private car at your location.
Transfer to Etajima
Travel by private car to Etajima Island, enjoying scenic coastal views of the Seto Inland Sea.
Etajima Island Local Hot Springs Onsen
Before lunch, treat yourself to one of Hiroshima Prefecture's most unique natural hot springs.
Etajima-so's onsen draws from a rare double mineral source, a chloride and sulphate salt spring certified as a therapeutic mineral spring by Japan's Ministry of the Environment, beloved locally as "bijin no yu" (beauty waters) for leaving skin silky smooth and glowing.
The star of the show is the "nurui-yu", a completely unheated, undiluted free-flowing source bath at 31.8°C. This kakehanashi style bathing where water goes straight from the earth to you is genuinely rare in Hiroshima.
Step into the open-air rotenburo and soak to the sound of birdsong and sea breeze, the perfect way to refresh before sitting down to a fresh island lunch.
Local Lunch (Okonomiyaki or Sushi)
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Please choose between Okonomiyaki or fresh sushi made with locally sourced seafood.
Historical Mt. Hodai Panoramic Observation Deck
Visit a scenic viewpoint overlooking the islands. Learn about the area’s naval history and its role in Japan’s maritime past.
Drive back to your hotel (or Station / Port/ Airport)
Change and relax as you return to your location by private car.
Drop off at your hotel (or Station / Port/ Airport)
Ending Point
Drop off at your hotel (or Station / Port/ Airport)
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Guide (Driver)
- Hotel Pick-up or Port, Airport pick-up
- Private Car Transportation (Toyota Copen GR for solo travellers, Toyota Harrier for 2, Toyota Alphard luxury minivan for 3 or more travellers.)
- Gasoline, toll and parking fees
- Lunch (Around $15 USD)
- Hot Springs (Around $10 USD)
- Personal expenses
Tour Important Information
* Hot Springs not open on Mondays
* Hot Springs open hours 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
* Facilities: Indoor bath, outdoor bath, steam sauna, reclining bath, natural free-flow source bath
Please follow below Onsen / Bathhouse Etiquette
* Wash before entering: Shower and clean your body at the washing stations before using the bath
* No swimsuits: Baths are used fully nude (separate areas for men and women)
* Towels stay out of the bath: Do not place your towel in the water
* Tattoos: Visible tattoos are not allowed (covering may be required)
* Quiet atmosphere: Keep voices low and avoid splashing
* No phones or cameras inside the bathing area
* Hair tied up: Keep long hair out of the water
* Stay hydrated and avoid bathing immediately after alcohol
Hot Springs Onsen is closed on Mondays, open time 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM).
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Kate M.
Hello! My name is Kate, and I’m a local guide based in Hiroshima.
I grew up in both Japan and Australia and fluent in both English and Japanese.
I offer comfortable car tours, allowing us to explore more locations at a relaxed pace, perfect for discovering both famous highlights and hidden gems.
I have a deep love for Hiroshima and its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. My goal is to share this special place with you in a way that feels personal, meaningful, and unforgettable.
I’m also happy to fully customize your tour based on your interests, whether you’d like to focus on history, local cuisine, scenic spots, or off-the-beaten-path experiences.
I look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima and creating a memorable journey together!
Reviews
Brigid L.
“An unforgettable day in Hiroshima with Kate”
We were a group of four Canadian first time travellers to Hiroshima who wanted to optimize our time in this remarkable area. From beginning to end, Kate was a five star professional. We started communicating well before our trip and Kate provided exact instructions for how to get from Osaka to Hiroshima for the day tour right down to the times of trains. We were met at the station, driven around in a very comfortable van, and completed the itinerary like clockwork. Kate focused us on all the beautiful details at each site of Miyajima and also pointed out the ideal photo spots. We thoroughly appreciated Kate introducing us to delicious, local snacks and foods at each spot including grilled oysters, momiji manju, an exceptional okonomiyaki lunch at her favourite food counter and a first class lemon sorbet! Most importantly, Kate presented the history of Hiroshima with the perfect blend of compassionate historical knowledge and thought-provoking insight. This was an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend Kate for your Hiroshima tour.
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Clay C.
“Ideal introduction to a truly special place”
I met Kate shortly after I arrived in Hiroshima for my first visit. She did a great job showing me the highlights of the city & giving me ideas about how to spend the rest of my time there. Visiting Hiroshima was really the highlight of my time in Japan, my tour with Kate was a big part of this. I will be encouraging my friends and family to visit Hiroshima and begin their time there the same way I did. Thank you very much, Kate!
Fernando N.
“Nice day in Hiroshima!”
We had a wonderful experience touring Hiroshima and Miyajima with Kate. She was very professional, friendly, and accommodating throughout the day. Communication before the tour was excellent, making everything easy and well organized from the start. We especially appreciated her kindness and willingness to go the extra mile. At the end of the tour, she even accompanied our group into the train station to make sure we knew exactly where to go. That personal touch meant a lot to us! My only suggestion for improvement would be to provide a little more proactive commentary and historical background about the places we were visiting. At times, we found ourselves asking questions to better understand what we were seeing, and a more engaging narrative would have made the experience even more enriching. That said, Kate was a pleasure to spend the day with, and we truly appreciated her professionalism, friendliness, and dedication to making our visit enjoyable. Overall, a great experience, and we would happily recommend Kate to anyone visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima!
$253/ per group
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