Below we have included some information about the island’s location, how to get to it and its specific sightseeing spots. We have also added details about one of our tours which includes a guided visit to the island.
Where is Ikuchijima Island?
Ikuchijima is part of the city of Onomichi, which is located in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. It lies about halfway between the coasts of Onomichi and the city of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. As mentioned previously, it is part of the Shimanami Kaido route, and is about 30 kilometers away from Onomichi along the cycling route.
How to Get to Ikuchijima
To get to Ikuchijima one first has to arrive at the city of Onomichi. From Hiroshima Station, travelers can board a local train on the San’yo Line heading towards Itozaki, where they can transfer to another train on the same line bound for Himeji or Okayama, and ultimately get off at Onomichi Station. The complete journey takes about 100 minutes and costs JPY1,520. A more expensive but faster option makes use of the San’yo Shinkansen, which goes from Hiroshima Station to Shin-Onomichi Station. This journey takes about 40 minutes, costs JPY4,210 and requires taking an additional bus or taxi to the nearby Onomichi Station.
Right across from the station lies the Onomichi port, where you can either board the Setouchi Cruising 40-minute ferry bound for Setoda Port or rent a bicycle to reach the island on the Shimanami Kaido cycling route. Another less popular option is taking a bus from Onomichi Station to Kosanj Temple, which is cheaper than the ferry but takes about 30 minutes longer.
The ferry runs all days of the year and a one-way ticket costs JPY1,500 for adults and JPY750 for children. Payment is done in cash when boarding the ferry, so we recommend having exact change or small bills available. Every day, there are six ferries departing to Ikuchijima from the Onomichi port terminal, and six returning ferries departing from the island back to the mainland.
Additional details about renting a bicycle and cycling the Shimanami Kaido can be found in our complete guide to it here.
Kosanji Temple
As mentioned previously, Ikuchijima is home to the very unusual Kosanji Temple. It is typically described as bizarre or eccentric due to the eclectic structures within its grounds, most of which are in fact replicas of famous religious sites throughout Japan. Curiously, even though the temple belongs to the school of True Pure Land Buddhism, the largest sect of Buddhism in Japan, some of these replicas are inspired by non-Buddhist locations.
Kosanji Temple was born out of a son's love and devotion towards his mother. The founder, Kozo Kosanji decided to build the temple in dedication to his mother after her passing, and over three years he led the construction of the buildings that we see today. Kosanji Temple is not very old when compared to other places of worship in Japan, as it was founded less than 100 years ago in 1936. However, even though the temple might not hold a lot of historical significance, it is a marvel to look at and a testament to the strong love between mother and child.
Within the grounds one can find replicas of notable structures such as the Yomeimon Gate of the Nikkō Tōshogū Shinto Shrine and the five-storied pagoda modeled after the Buddhist Muroji Temple’s ancient pagoda. Below the complex also lies an area which is unique to the temple, the “Cave of 1,000 Buddhas.” This underground passage is filled with approximately one thousand Buddha statues and pictures representing hell and paradise. It is meant to simulate the experience of descending into and emerging from Buddhist hell.
One last additional fascinating part of Kosanji Temple is its marble garden known as “The Hill of Hope,” which was created by the Japanese sculptor Itto Kuetani over a period of 16 years. The garden opened in the year 2000 and is filled with marble monuments which harmonize perfectly with the surrounding nature of the island. This type of structure cannot be found anywhere else in Japan and is a must-see for all people visiting Onomichi.
Tours Visiting the Island
If you are interested in exploring Ikuchijima island, particularly its Kosanji Temple, we recommend our 1-day tour of Onomichi & Ikuchijima. This tour includes the ferry ride from Onomichi to Ikuchijima and visits to two famous Buddhist temples in the mainland, Senkoji and Saikokuji. Getting to Senkoji temple also involves a short but captivating ropeway ride!
The tour has two convenient meeting spots, one in Shin-Onomichi Station for guests wishing to get there from Hiroshima Station using the Shinkansen, and one in Onomichi Station for guests spending the night in Onomichi. If you’d like to read more about this tour or make a reservation, click on the “View Details" or “Book Now” button below.
