Day Off: Sera
Sera-cho is the main town in Sera District, located in the middle of the Eastern half of Hiroshima Prefecture. It is conveniently close to famous flower fields and fruit farms. In addition to that, Sera is home to some cute cafes, good restaurants, and hikes that could work up an appetite.
Though not located on a train line, Sera can be accessed by car or by an hour-long bus ride from Mihara, Onomichi, or Miyoshi that drops you off at Kozaneigyojo Bus Stop. In town, parking is available behind Otanosho Historical Museum or at the town hall. If you feel like hanging out in town, once you get there no car is necessary.
I’ve lived in Sera for three months now, and here’s how I would spend a day off.
10.00am — Fukuchi-in Café
This café is located at the base of Mt. Koshiro, and is a great place to start your day with a hot drink. Popular with locals and visitors alike, they have a good selection of teas and lots of seasonal specialty snacks and drinks, such as shaved ice in summer and “countryside mochi” in fall. Fukuchi-in is located in a traditional style teahouse with tatami floors, low tables, and cushion seating, but western-style tables are available too. They also host a variety of one-off events, usually advertised beforehand on their Instagram (@fukuchiin.imakouya)
Hours: 10.00am-5.00pm Thursday-Monday
10.30am — Serakogen Farm
…Or any of Sera’s fruit, vegetable, or flower farms. Serakogen is one of the area’s most well-known farms and depending on the season may be hosting a festival for tulips (mid-April to mid-May), sunflowers (late July to late August), dahlias (early September to late October) or daikon (late October or early November).
Hours: 9.00am-5.00pm daily. Closed between festivals.
More information available at https://sera.ne.jp/en/about/
Cost: ¥800
1.00pm — PANDY
Tucked behind Waraya Okonomiyaki, PANDY is a cute, vaguely panda-themed café and bar in the old part of town. They offer a nice lunch set, which comes with miso soup, green salad, rice, several small but flavourful salads and proteins, a drink, and dessert of ice cream or handmade cakes. I recommend the almond tart or the seasonal cake.
Hours: 11.30am-4.00pm Tuesday-Saturday. Closed every 1st and 3rd Tuesday.
3.00pm — Mt. Koshiro and Koyasan Castle
From PANDY, head towards Mt. Koshiro to hike up to Koyasan Castle for a great view of Sera Town and the surrounding mountains. The uphill walk is mostly paved and only about 400m, so you can reach the top of the mountain in 20 minutes or less. The view is best from the third floor of the castle (pictured at the top of this article).
You can return from the castle on the same path, or take the long way down for a bit more of a hike. Instead of going back the way you came, take a right to walk along the crest of the mountain. After 150 meters or so, you’ll come to a more challenging route down. If you don’t like hiking, it would be best not to do this route, especially after a rain.
Trail Hours: 24h
Castle Hours: 9.00am-6.00pm April-September/9.00am-4.30pm October-December
5.30pm — Waraya Okonomiyaki
Waraya is a great place for dinner after a long day. It’s deliciously done, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki with additional toppings on offer, such as squid, mochi, and fried egg. You can choose from one of their set combinations or customize your order yourself, but if you like okonomiyaki, you will like it here.
Hours: 11.30am-2.00pm and 5.00pm-11.00pm Tuesday-Sunday (closes at 9.00pm on Sundays and holidays). Closed every 1st and 3rd Tuesday.
