Kintai Bridge and the Battleship Yamato: A Perfect One-Day Itinerary from Iwakuni to Kure

A One-Day Sightseeing Itinerary in Iwakuni (Yamaguchi) and Kure (Hiroshima)

Take off from Haneda Airport in the morning and let the stunning blue of the Seto Inland Sea lift your spirits—just 1 hour and 45 minutes later, you’ll arrive in another world.

From Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, home to one of Japan’s three great bridges—Kintai Bridge, to Kure City in Hiroshima Prefecture, once a key naval base. This one-day itinerary offers a rich blend of history and culture, all doable on a day trip from Tokyo.

Walk across the 300-year-old wooden masterpiece of Kintai Bridge and stand in awe of the advanced shipbuilding technology that gave birth to the Battleship Yamato. This cross-prefectural journey showcases both the beauty of tradition and the power of modernization in Japan.

We’ll guide you through every detail, including transport times and recommended lunch spots, making it perfect for a weekend getaway or a side trip before or after visiting Hiroshima.

Here’s a quick look at the day’s schedule:

1. 8:40 am Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport
2. 9:12 am Iwakuni Station
3. 9:30 am Kintai Bridge
4. 11:25 am Depart for Kure, Hiroshima
5. 1:10 pm Kure Haikara Shokudo (Lunch)
6. 2:40 pm Yamato Museum
7. 4:20 pm Kure Station to Hiroshima Station
8. 5:20 pm Hiroshima City

Now, let’s set out on this picturesque journey filled with history and nature—only 2 hours from Tokyo!

Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport

🕛 8:40 am

Take the 6:55 am flight from Haneda and you’ll land at Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport in just 1 hour and 45 minutes. Welcome to Yamaguchi Prefecture—the starting point of your trip.

This airport is compact but clean and thoughtfully designed. Its simple layout provides a comfortable and relaxed environment for travelers.

As you exit the arrival lobby, you’ll find the bus terminal just outside.

From the airport, hop on the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Access Bus and head to Iwakuni Station.

It takes around 10 minutes to get to Iwakuni Station—having the station so close to the airport is incredibly convenient.

[One-way] Adults: ¥200, Children: ¥100

You can also take a direct bus from the airport to Kintai Bridge. While it only aligns with morning arrivals, it’s a great option if the timing works—you’ll save the trouble of changing buses at Iwakuni Station.

[One-way] Adults: ¥380, Children: ¥190

Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Timetable (March 30 – October 25, 2025) [PDF]

Iwakuni Station

🕛 9:12 am

You’ve now arrived at Iwakuni Station. The airport bus stops at the east exit rotary.

While the airport bus stops at the east exit, buses bound for Kintai Bridge depart from the west exit. You’ll need to walk through the station’s pedestrian passageway to get there.

From the passageway, you can spot the charming yellow trains of the Sanyo Main Line. These small everyday details often become the most memorable parts of a trip.

Once through the passageway, you’ll arrive at the west exit of Iwakuni Station. The bus terminal is right in front of you—hop on the bus to Kintai Bridge here.

There’s also a tourist information center at the west exit. If you’re unsure about bus times or stops, feel free to ask for help.

There’s a taxi stand as well. If bus times don’t align with your schedule, a taxi is a convenient alternative.

When we tried taking a taxi, it took about 10–15 minutes and cost ¥1,890.

Kintai Bridge

🕛 9:30 am

We’ve arrived at the iconic Kintai Bridge.

Kintai Bridge is considered one of Japan’s three most famous bridges, known for its graceful arches and scenic views. While there’s a fee, walking across it is a must for any visitor.

You can find more detailed information about Kintai Bridge, surrounding attractions, and bus access from Iwakuni Station below.

Kintaikyo Bridge: Japan's Most Beautiful Wooden Bridge - The Ultimate Travel Guide 2025

Discover Kintaikyo Bridge, an architectural marvel crafted with traditional Japanese carpentry, featuring no nails. This comprehensive 2025 guide explores seasonal highlights, how to get there, and insider tips for enjoying Japan's iconic wooden arch bridge.

🕛 10:40 am

After spending about an hour exploring Kintai Bridge and its surroundings, we head back to Iwakuni Station by bus. (Fare: ¥300)

🕛 11:10 am

We’re back at Iwakuni Station, arriving again at the east exit.

Now it’s time to move on to Hiroshima Prefecture by train.

Getting from Iwakuni Station to Kure Station

🕛 11:25 am

Take the Sanyo Main Line heading toward Hiroshima Prefecture. Our destination is Kure City, home of the Yamato Museum.

You’ll make one transfer at Hiroshima Station along the way. The total travel time is about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The train you’ll take from Iwakuni Station on the Sanyo Main Line is marked with a distinctive red stripe.

Seats are arranged face-to-face, providing great views out the window.

Kure Station

🕛 1:03 pm

We’ve arrived at Kure Station. Let’s enjoy lunch before sightseeing.

Kure Haikara Shokudo

Kure Haikara Shokudo is a must-visit lunch spot where you can try curry officially endorsed by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, buy maritime-themed goods, and see a massive model of the Battleship Yamato.

To learn more about Kure Haikara Shokudo, check out the following article:

KURE HAIKARA SHOKUDOU: Japanese Naval Curry & Maritime History at Japan's Historic Port City

Experience authentic Japanese Naval Curry at KURE HAIKARA SHOKUDOU, featuring a 1/30 scale Yamato battleship model and maritime exhibits. Located in Kure's historic naval port.

JMSDF Kure Museum – Tetsu-no-Kujira-kan

🕛 2:35 pm

Right in front of the Yamato Museum, you’ll find the JMSDF Kure Museum: Tetsu - no - Kujira - kan.

This museum, operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, features the enormous submarine Akishio (76.2 meters long, 2,250 tons), which you can actually explore from the inside.

Yamato Museum

🕛 2:40 pm

We’ve now arrived at the Yamato Museum. This museum features a wide range of exhibits about the Battleship Yamato. The 1/10-scale model of the actual battleship is breathtaking—this is a must-see spot for any visitor to Kure.

Yamato Museum: Journey Through Japan's Naval History with World's Largest Battleship Model

Experience the remarkable story of the world's largest battleship at the Yamato Museum. Featuring a breathtaking 1/10 scale model, historic Zero fighters, and rare military artifacts, discover Japan's naval technology and message of peace.

From Kure Station to Hiroshima Station

🕛 4:20 pm

After spending about an hour and a half at the Yamato Museum, we return to Kure Station.

Tonight’s accommodation is near Hiroshima Station, so we’ll head there next.

If you board the same Rapid Akiro Liner train you took earlier to get here, you can reach Hiroshima Station in about 35 minutes. Local trains take about 50 minutes. If you’re short on time, check the timetable in advance and plan to catch the Akiro Liner for a smoother journey.

Hiroshima City and the Streetcars

🕛 5:20 pm

After arriving at Hiroshima Station, you’ll step into a bustling and vibrant city.

Let’s hop on the streetcars—an iconic mode of transportation in Hiroshima City.

Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcars require you to pay when you get off. (Adults: ¥240, Children: ¥120)

If paying in cash or using an IC card, make sure to board cars near the front where the conductor is located. This makes getting off smoother—especially since the trains can get crowded and it’s hard to move from the back cars to the front.

For detailed information on how to use the streetcars, please refer to the official Hiroshima Electric Railway website:

How to Ride: Streetcars｜Train Info｜Hiroshima Electric Railway

After this, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing night in the city.

From Iwakuni to Kure, Then on to Hiroshima

This journey began in Iwakuni with the elegant Edo-era Kintai Bridge, continued through the naval city of Kure with its impressive military history, and ended with the peaceful ambiance of Hiroshima’s streetcars. All in just one day—you’ll be amazed by the diversity the Seto Inland region has to offer.

There’s still so much to explore. In Iwakuni, you can visit Iwakuni Castle, stroll through the charming castle town, or savor regional specialties like kawara soba. In Kure, the Tetsu-no-Kujira-kan lets you step inside a real submarine, and the submarine pier offers views of active Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels—enough to fill another day or two.

The itinerary we shared here is a “highlight edition” for those with limited time. If you have more flexibility, consider spending a night in Iwakuni and another in Kure to enjoy each city in the morning and evening light.

Use this model itinerary as inspiration to plan your own unforgettable journey through Yamaguchi and Hiroshima.

Here’s a recap of the route:

1. 8:40 am Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport
2. 9:12 am Iwakuni Station
3. 9:30 am Kintai Bridge
4. 11:25 am Travel to Kure, Hiroshima
5. 1:10 pm Kure Haikara Shokudo (Lunch)
6. 2:40 pm Yamato Museum
7. 4:20 pm Kure Station to Hiroshima Station
8. 5:20 pm Hiroshima City