Haigamine Observatory

Rising 737 metres directly behind the port city of Kure, Haigamine Observatory stands more than twice the height of Hakodate's celebrated night-view mountain, yet remains one of western Japan's quieter discoveries. The summit is crowned by a round white weather radar that serves as a landmark from Kure itself, and the panorama below is something quietly extraordinary: the spread of harbour and street light is said to trace out the characters of kure in the darkness. Recognised as one of the three great night views of the Chugoku–Shikoku region, this is a place that rewards those willing to seek it out.

When to go

The observatory is open around the clock every day, making it equally rewarding at dusk, deep into the night, or at dawn when mist sometimes settles over the port below. Clear, dry evenings in autumn and winter typically offer the sharpest views across the bay.

“Good option if visiting Hiroshima. Easy train ride (less than an hour) to reach Kore. Then, depending on your pace, it’s a 2 to 3 hour walk from the station to reach the peak. Very peaceful and tranquil.”— Antonio Massari, Google review