Hidaka(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Higashihiyoshi Town, the top boutique stay is Rise & Shine Seaside House, a minimalist retreat nestled along the Seto Inland Sea coastline. Its floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer panoramic ocean views, and each room features handcrafted wooden furnishings inspired by local fishing traditions.

Another standout is Shimokawa Ryokan, a centuries-old family-run inn with private onsen baths and an open-air bath overlooking the sea. The property hosts seasonal cooking classes using fresh seafood from nearby Oma Fishing Port.

Both properties emphasize sustainability—solar-powered systems, rainwater harvesting, and zero-waste practices—making them ideal for eco-conscious travelers seeking authentic cultural immersion.

The most tranquil and scenic area for lodging in Higashihiyoshi Town is the White Beach Coastline, particularly around Oma District and Shimokawa Village. This region offers secluded accommodations with direct access to private coves and walking trails leading to tidal pools.

Stays here are typically small-scale inns or family-owned cottages, many featuring private gardens, free parking, and bicycle rentals—perfect for slow-paced exploration.

The area’s proximity to Higashihiyoshi Town Center Plaza and Local Market Stalls makes it convenient for daily essentials, while its distance from major roads ensures peace and quiet.

Guests often enjoy stargazing at night, with unobstructed views of the Milky Way and distant fishing lanterns—a truly serene experience.

Visitors to Higashihiyoshi Town can engage in several authentic cultural experiences:

• Traditional Net Weaving Workshop: Learn from local fishermen how to craft handmade fishing nets using bamboo and hemp at Oma Fishing Port, preserving a vital part of Seto Inland Sea heritage.

• Seaweed Farming Experience: Visit Shirahama Seaweed Gardens to help attach nori sheets to ropes and harvest them—then enjoy freshly made nori rolls as part of your lunch.

• Rice Cultivation & Sake Brewing Tour: Participate in rice planting and harvesting at local farms, then visit Higashihiyoshi Sake Brewery to learn traditional brewing techniques and taste limited-edition regional sake.

All activities are certified by the Higashihiyoshi Tourism Association, emphasizing authenticity, sustainability, and community involvement—ideal for immersive travel.

For the most breathtaking sea views, Rise & Shine Seaside House stands out as the premier choice. Perched directly above the Seto Inland Sea, this architectural gem features 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, offering uninterrupted vistas of sunrise over the water and moonlit waves at night.

The building itself is eco-designed—powered by solar energy and equipped with a rainwater recycling system—and showcases art installations inspired by marine life.

Alternatively, Shirahama Beach Villa Hotel offers just 12 luxury suites, each with private beach access and outdoor hot tubs facing the sea. Some rooms even include indoor-outdoor showers with ocean views.

Both hotels serve breakfast featuring freshly caught fish like bonito sashimi and local seaweed miso soup—perfect for starting the day with coastal flavors.

Ideal for families, Higashihiyoshi Family Farm Stay offers spacious cabins that sleep up to six guests. Formerly a rice barn, it now includes a dedicated kids’ playroom, a vegetable garden for hands-on farming, and animal interaction zones with rabbits and chickens.

Daily programs like "Little Farmer Workshops" teach children how to plant vegetables, make tofu, and wrap zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

Another excellent option is Kubo-ya Inn, a family-run guesthouse near Oma District, with a large courtyard perfect for picnics and games. Parents can relax while kids explore tide pools along the nearby shore.

Both properties provide complimentary shuttle services to Higashihiyoshi Children’s Museum and Coastal Park, ensuring safe, stress-free family outings.

To experience the most authentic cuisine in Higashihiyoshi Town, visit Shirahama Market and Oma Morning Fish Market.

At Shirahama Market, vendors sell freshly caught bonito sashimi, red snapper dried fish, and sea urchin rice balls—many prepared on-site for immediate consumption.

Oma Morning Fish Market is where locals gather daily; try the signature local seaweed miso soup with freshly baked black rye bread.

For deeper culinary immersion, join a home-hosted seafood cooking class at a local inn, where you’ll learn to prepare dishes like Seto Inland Sea sandwich—a grilled nori-wrapped salmon and asparagus roll with yuzu vinaigrette.

These experiences are deeply rooted in daily life, offering genuine taste of the region’s coastal culture.

Top photogenic locations in Higashihiyoshi Town include:

• White Beach Lighthouse: A century-old red-and-white lighthouse set against lush hills and turquoise waters—ideal for dramatic seascapes and golden-hour silhouettes.

• Seto Inland Sea Skywalk: A 300-meter suspended bridge spanning the bay with transparent viewing platforms, perfect for floating-in-the-air shots.

• Higashihiyoshi Agricultural Park Mural Wall: A vibrant, large-scale mural depicting rice fields, seaweed, and fishing nets—backdrop for creative social media content.

• Oma Sunset Pier: At dusk, wooden houses and fishing boats glow under golden light, creating dreamy compositions with reflections on calm waters.

Use a wide-angle lens and tripod for optimal results, especially during sunrise and sunset when natural lighting enhances the scenes.

While not a traditional hot spring town, Higashihiyoshi Town offers unique coastal onsen experiences.

Shimokawa Ryokan features mineral-rich thermal springs sourced from deep underground, rich in sulfur and silicate—excellent for muscle relaxation and skin health. The outdoor baths overlook the sea, allowing guests to soak while watching waves roll in.

Another highlight is Shirahama Seaside Steam Bath, powered by solar-heated seawater, combining warm vapor with ocean breeze and salt mist—creating a natural, therapeutic atmosphere.

Some inns also offer a "Onsen + Nori Face Mask" package: applying fresh seaweed to the face before soaking, promoting detoxification and hydration.

All facilities follow eco-practices, using renewable energy and avoiding chemical additives.

Transportation in Higashihiyoshi Town is well-managed despite its rural setting. Accessible via Osaka Expressway and Wakayama Prefectural Route 5, it’s about 90 minutes from Osaka City.

The Higashihiyoshi Tourist Shuttle Bus runs daily between Shirahama Station and key areas like Oma District and agricultural parks, with free pick-up services to major lodgings.

Bicycle rental is widely available at the Higashihiyoshi Tourism Information Center, ideal for exploring coastal paths and small villages.

We recommend using Google Maps with destination set to "Higashihiyoshi Town Central Plaza" for precise navigation.

Due to narrow roads, larger vehicles are discouraged—small cars and electric bikes are highly recommended.

Key seasonal events in Higashihiyoshi Town include:

• Spring: White Beach Cherry Blossom Festival (late March), featuring thousands of Prunus serrulata trees along the seaside promenade, illuminated at night for a magical effect.

• Summer: Oma Fishing Lantern Festival (early August), where local fishermen row out with paper lanterns to honor the sea gods, accompanied by live music and seafood stalls.

• Autumn: Higashihiyoshi Harvest Festival (mid-October), held at the Agricultural Park with rice threshing demos, new rice tasting, and traditional farming rituals.

• Winter: Seto Inland Sea Light Art Exhibition (December), showcasing large-scale floating light installations combined with sound and wave projections—offering an immersive sensory journey.

Many hotels offer festival packages including tickets and special dinners—recommended to book in advance due to high demand.