Across from Miyajima: Imose Falls, Miyahama Onsen, and the Simose Art Museum (By Car)

This driving course takes you along the mainland coast facing Miyajima, traveling from Ono in Hatsukaichi City to the seaside of Otake City. Enjoy the cool waterside at Imose Falls, cherished for generations as "husband-and-wife falls" comprising a male and a female waterfall. Next, take a break at Miyahama Onsen overlooking Miyajima across the sea, and then head to the Simose Art Museum, designed by architect Ban Shigeru.

History and Local Charm

Between Miyajima and the mainland lies a calm body of water known as the Onoseto Strait. Along the mainland shore facing this sea—known for oyster farming—are hot spring resorts and an art museum that look out toward Miyajima on the opposite bank.

On this course, you will visit three locations, each with its own distinct character: a waterfall tucked in the mountains, a hillside hot spring town overlooking the sea, and a new seaside art museum. Imose Falls flows behind the ancient Ogashira-jinja Shrine and has long been beloved as a pair of "husband-and-wife falls." Miyahama Onsen opened its hot springs in 1964. The Simose Art Museum opened in March 2023 and received the World Title in the Museums category of the Prix Versailles architectural awards in 2024. Experiencing both an ancient place of worship and contemporary architecture is the special appeal of touring the mainland shore across from Miyajima.

Highlights

• ​Imose Falls​​: The word "imose" is an ancient Japanese term meaning "husband and wife," and the name refers to two waterfalls together: the Male Fall (Otaki) and the Female Fall (Medaki). While the Female Fall has less volume, it is tall and can be looked up at from near the shrine's worship hall. The Male Fall boasts abundant water and can be reached by following a riverside promenade, allowing you to walk right up to the water's edge and wade in the stream. Because the two flows join into one near the shrine grounds, it is also said to bring blessings for matchmaking and marriage.
• ​Miyahama Onsen​​: This hot spring district spreads across a low hill along National Route 2, featuring waters that contain radon. Inns line the hillside, and day-use bathing facilities are also available. The open-air baths offering sweeping views of Miyajima across the water are popular, allowing you to soak while gazing at the mountains of Miyajima beyond the sea.
• ​Simose Art Museum​​: An art museum built right on the coast facing Miyajima. Floating on a water basin are eight movable exhibition rooms paneled in colorful glass, which can change their layout using the buoyancy of water. The building stands parallel to the coastline and connects along a 190-meter-long "Mirror Glass Screen" that reflects the surrounding scenery. The collection began with traditional Japanese dolls such as Hina and Gosho dolls and expanded to modern Japanese and Western paintings and crafts, which are exhibited according to changing curated themes.

Suggested Itinerary & Duration

The estimated time required is about 5 hours. Imose Falls is just a short drive from the Ono Interchange on the Hiroshima-Iwakuni Road, with parking available. After paying your respects at Ogashira-jinja Shrine and viewing the Female Fall from near the worship hall, follow the riverside promenade to the Male Fall. The rocks by the water are wet and slippery, so comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting wet are recommended. If wading in the summer, please check the river current first.

After cooling off at the waterfall, travel about 3 kilometers in a straight line south-southwest to Miyahama Onsen. Take a break in a day-use bath while admiring Miyajima.

After the hot springs, proceed about 4 kilometers in a straight line southwest to the Simose Art Museum. Admire the galleries floating on the water and the sea views reflected in the mirror glass, view the exhibitions inside, and then stroll through the "Emile Gallé Garden" or take in the panoramic view of the Setouchi islands from the rooftop "Boyo Terrace." The return trip takes about 5 minutes by car to the Otake Interchange on the Sanyo Expressway.

Summary

Cool off in the spray of the paired waterfalls, rest your body in a hot spring overlooking Miyajima, and conclude your day at an art museum reflecting the sea and sky. Even without crossing over to Miyajima, you can gaze upon it from the mainland hot springs and coastline—a pleasure unique to this route. Enjoy a day admiring Miyajima from a different perspective.