Lunch Cruise on HANAIKADA (Raft-Type Boat) with Scenic View of Miyajima

The unusual pleasure here is the boat itself: HANAIKADA is a raft-style vessel, built low to the water so you feel close to the quiet Ono Seto Sea. I like the slow pace and the chance to see Miyajima from offshore, with oyster rafts floating nearby instead of the usual shrine-and-street view.

I also like the small group size of eight and the generous meal, which includes hamburger steak, pasta, salad, baguette, dessert, and coffee or tea. The main drawback is the fixed schedule and strict cancellation rule. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you get a new date or full refund, but if you cancel for another reason, you get nothing back.

Key points at a glance

• Raft-style HANAIKADA: A low boat gives you a close view of the calm Seto Inland Sea.
• Miyajima from the water: You see the World Heritage island from a quieter angle, with oyster rafts in the foreground.
• A full lunch on board: Hamburger steak, pasta, salad, baguette, dessert, and coffee or tea are included.
• Small group setting: The boat takes a maximum of eight people, making the outing feel personal rather than crowded.
• Easy station transfer: A beige HANAIKADA van meets you at the South Exit of JR Onoura Station.
• Weather matters: The cruise can be canceled in poor conditions, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Why this Miyajima cruise feels different

Most visitors experience Miyajima from its shrine precinct, shopping lanes, or ferry deck. HANAIKADA offers a quieter view. You cruise along the Ono Seto Sea, near the island’s west coast, with the water almost level with your seat.

That low position changes the mood. You are not looking down from a tall sightseeing ship. You are close to the surface, watching the calm water move past and spotting oyster rafts floating in the sea. These rafts are part of the local setting, and they give the view a strong sense of place. This is not simply a meal with scenery added on. The sea and oyster farming are the main event.

The boat ride lasts about two hours and ten minutes after arrival at the vessel, while the full outing takes around two hours and thirty minutes including the station transfer. The cruise begins at 11:45 a.m., so it works neatly as a late-morning activity and lunch before an afternoon elsewhere in the Hiroshima area.

You should think of this as a slow meal on the water, not a fast sightseeing circuit. There is no promise of a long list of landmarks or a narrated tour. The appeal is the stillness, the view of Miyajima from offshore, and the pleasure of letting the day move at boat speed.

Meeting the HANAIKADA van at JR Onoura Station

Your meeting point is JR Onoura Station in Hatsukaichi. Go out the South Exit and wait near the rotary. The pickup vehicle is a beige van marked HANAIKADA.

The van leaves at 11:10 a.m. sharp. That detail matters. This is a coordinated transfer to a port, not a flexible shuttle that waits for late arrivals. If you miss it, any taxi cost is yours to pay, so arrive with enough time to find the correct exit and pickup area.

The transfer to the port takes about ten minutes. You can also arrange to come by car, but you need to tell the operator in advance so you can receive parking instructions. The tour ends back at JR Onoura Station, which makes the rail connection simple and keeps you from having to arrange a separate return ride.

This station-based setup is useful if you are traveling without a car. It also removes the guesswork of finding a small departure pier. Just pay attention to the station exit and the departure time.

Boarding a low raft-style boat on the Ono Seto Sea

You arrive at HANAIKADA around 11:20 a.m., with lunch cruise departure set for 11:45. The vessel is described as Japan’s first raft-type boat, and its design is central to the experience.

Because HANAIKADA sits close to sea level, you get a direct feel for the water. The calm Ono Seto Sea is especially suited to this kind of boat. The setting is meant for watching, eating, and taking your time, not for speed or dramatic movement.

The boat has indoor seating and a patio area. You can eat inside, then step outside with a drink to take in the view. The outdoor space is one of the best features for people who want the scenery unobstructed, though comfort will depend on the weather on the day of your cruise.

The boat has a Western-style toilet, a useful detail during a two-hour outing. Wear shoes that are easy to walk in. High, thin heels are discouraged, which makes sense around a boat and port area.

The maximum group size is eight people. That limit gives the cruise a more intimate feel and reduces the chance of a packed dining room blocking your view. It also means availability can be limited, so booking about a month ahead is sensible. This experience is booked an average of 31 days in advance.

Seeing Miyajima from the quieter side

Miyajima, officially Itsukushima, is best known for Itsukushima Shrine and its famous setting on the water. From HANAIKADA, the emphasis shifts from shrine architecture to the island’s broad coastal presence.

The view changes slowly as you move through the Ono Seto Sea. You may see the coast of Miyajima and nearby Ono, along with oyster rafts resting on the water. The raft fields are not a decorative extra. They show the working side of the Seto Inland Sea, where aquaculture is part of everyday life.

The calm water is a major part of the experience. If you want excitement, speed, or a busy list of sights, this may feel too gentle. If you like scenic transport and meals that give you time to look around, the pace is just right.

I would bring a camera, but I would also make room to simply watch. The boat’s low position creates a different visual frame than a ferry or high-deck cruise. You are close enough to notice the water and rafts, while Miyajima provides the larger backdrop.

The scenery is also weather-dependent. Clear skies will give you stronger views, but the tour requires good weather and may be canceled in poor conditions. Keep an alternate plan for the day, especially if you have limited time in Hiroshima.

What arrives at lunch

The included meal is substantial rather than a small snack. The listed menu includes hamburger steak, pasta, salad, baguette, dessert, and coffee or tea after the meal.

The pasta changes by the day, with tomato sauce and cream sauce among the possibilities. That daily variation gives the kitchen some flexibility, but you should not expect to choose from a large restaurant menu. The meal is planned as part of the cruise.

The food received especially strong praise, and the attention from the onboard waitress was also singled out as warm and attentive. That combination matters here. A meal served on a small boat can feel either carefully hosted or merely functional. The available details point toward the first experience, with the crew making a sincere effort to look after the group.

You can order alcoholic drinks separately using local cash, cards, or electronic payment. Options include beer, sake, shochu, highballs, gin and soda, and wine. Water, tea, coffee, and black tea are provided free. You can order individual drinks or choose an all-you-can-drink option.

The patio is the natural place for a drink if the weather is pleasant. Sitting outside with a beer, wine, or a nonalcoholic drink while the boat moves across calm water is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the outing. Alcohol is optional, so the cruise also works well for people who mainly want lunch and scenery.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions for medical, religious, or personal reasons, contact the operator in advance. The information provided does not promise specific substitutions, so do not wait until boarding to explain a serious restriction.

Children aged five and younger are free, but lunch is not arranged for them. You need to bring a meal for any child in that age group. That is an important practical detail for families, since the included adult menu is not automatically available to young children.

A small group with simple language support

The cruise is capped at eight people, which helps keep the setting calm and personal. It is a better fit for couples, friends, and small family groups than for anyone seeking a large organized sightseeing boat.

Language support is available in Japanese and English, with menu instructions also supported in Chinese and Korean through translation apps. You should not expect a full multilingual guided presentation. The main value is the boat ride, meal, and scenery, with practical communication support available when needed.

The setting is fairly easy for most people to join, and the activity is near public transportation. Still, you need to walk between the station, van, port, and boat, so comfortable shoes are the sensible choice. The operator specifically asks guests to avoid high, thin heels.

The small scale also means service can feel more direct. You are not anonymous in a crowd. The tradeoff is that a small boat has less room for changing plans or late arrivals. Stick closely to the 11:10 pickup time.

What the two-and-a-half-hour schedule gives you

Here is how the day unfolds:

• At 11:10 a.m., meet the beige HANAIKADA van outside the South Exit of JR Onoura Station.
• Around 11:20 a.m., arrive at the port and board the vessel.
• At 11:45 a.m., the lunch cruise begins.
• For roughly two hours and ten minutes, enjoy the meal, drinks, and views on the Ono Seto Sea.
• Around 1:25 p.m., return to JR Onoura Station.

This timing is compact enough to fit into a larger Hiroshima-area itinerary. The return around 1:25 p.m. leaves part of the afternoon open, though you should allow extra time if you have a train connection that cannot be missed.

The scheduled cruise itself is not extremely long. One of the available comments described the trip as feeling too short, which tells you something about its mood: the time passes easily when the ride is smooth and the meal is unhurried. Still, if you want several hours on the water, this is not that kind of excursion.

The fixed schedule is also a strength. You know when to arrive, eat, cruise, and return. Just do not build a tight chain of unrelated bookings around it. Boat tours depend on weather and transport timing.

Is the $66.66 price fair?

At $66.66 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Miyajima. You are paying for more than a boat transfer. The price includes the station pickup, the special vessel, a full lunch, dessert, coffee or tea, and about two hours on the water.

The value depends on what you want from your day. If you only want to reach Miyajima, a regular ferry and a casual meal will cost less. If you want a quiet, small-group outing with food already arranged and a rare view of the island from sea level, the price is easier to justify.

The included lunch is important to the calculation. Hamburger steak, pasta, salad, bread, dessert, and a hot drink make this closer to a meal-and-cruise package than a short boat ride with a snack. The drink menu gives you extra choice, but alcoholic beverages cost more.

I would consider this a good value for someone who values comfort, scenery, and a special setting more than keeping transportation costs to a minimum. It is less appealing if you plan to spend most of your day at Miyajima and want every yen directed toward time on the island itself.

Who should book this cruise?

I would suggest HANAIKADA to couples looking for a quiet lunch, friends who want a shared scenic outing, and small groups who enjoy food as part of sightseeing. It also suits people who have already seen Miyajima from land and want a different angle.

The outing works especially well for anyone who likes:

• Calm water rather than fast boat rides
• A full meal in an unusual setting
• Small groups instead of large sightseeing vessels
• Oyster farming scenery and coastal views
• A flexible, unhurried midday schedule
• Drinks on an outdoor boat patio

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone who dislikes fixed departure times, has serious dietary needs that were not arranged in advance, or wants a fully narrated cultural tour. It may also disappoint if poor weather is likely and your Hiroshima schedule has no room for changes.

The nonrefundable policy deserves attention before booking. You cannot change or cancel for a refund, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Choose a day when you feel confident about your schedule.

Should you book HANAIKADA?

Book it if you want Miyajima at a slower pace, with a carefully arranged lunch and a view from the quiet water beside the island. The low raft-style boat, floating oyster rafts, and small eight-person group make this unlike a standard sightseeing cruise.

Skip it if your priority is a low-cost ride, a long list of attractions, or total schedule freedom. For the right visitor, though, the price buys a peaceful midday experience that combines local food, the Seto Inland Sea, and a side of Miyajima many people never see.

FAQ

Where does the lunch cruise begin?

The meeting point is JR Onoura Station at 1 Chome-1 Shioya, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima. Go out the South Exit and wait near the rotary.

What time does the pickup van leave?

The beige HANAIKADA van leaves JR Onoura Station at 11:10 a.m. Be on time, since a missed pickup may require you to pay for your own taxi.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity takes about two hours and thirty minutes. The cruise portion lasts about two hours and ten minutes, with the van transfer included in the overall schedule.

What food is included?

Lunch includes hamburger steak, pasta, salad, baguette, dessert, and coffee or tea. The pasta may be served with tomato sauce or cream sauce depending on the day.

Are drinks included?

Water, tea, coffee, and black tea are free. Beer, sake, shochu, highballs, gin and soda, and wine are available for an additional charge. You can order individual drinks or an all-you-can-drink option.

Can children join the cruise?

Most people can participate, and children aged five and younger are free. Lunch is not arranged for children five and younger, so you need to bring their meal.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. A Western-style toilet is available.

What language support is offered?

Japanese and English support is available. Menu instructions also have Chinese and Korean support through translation apps.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The experience is otherwise nonrefundable and cannot be changed for another reason.