Mirai Kokoro Hill

To get to Kousanji on Ikuchijima Island, where the Hill of Future Hearts is located, there are three methods: car, boat, and bus, but going by car is the best option! If coming from the direction of Onomichi, enter the Shimanami Kaido from the Nishi-Seto Onomichi IC and get off at the Ikuchijima Kita IC after about 15 minutes. From there, it takes about 10 minutes to get to Kousanji, and since it's a seaside road, you can enjoy a scenic drive on the beautiful island! Note that there is also a Ikuchijima Minami IC, but it's only possible to get off for cars coming from the direction of Imabari, and cars coming from Onomichi cannot get off, so be careful! Since the number of boats and buses per day is low and it takes more than an hour one way, those who want to have a trip with high freedom without time constraints are recommended to go by car!

The Hill of Hope is a contemporary art piece created by sculptor Kazuto Koyama from Hiroshima over the course of 12 years. When you step onto the hill, you'll be overwhelmed by the pure white marble brought over from Italy! The combination of the calm climate and blue skies of the Seto Inland Sea with the white marble gives you a feeling as if you've come to Greece or Italy! Why not experience a mini overseas trip? The Hill of Hope is located on the grounds of Koso-ji Temple and requires an admission fee of 1,400 yen (1,000 yen for university and high school students, free for junior high school students and younger). It's a recommended spot for those who want to take photogenic photos or visit a unique location!

On the grounds of Kosanji Temple, which has the Hill of Hope for the Future, about 200 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and Shidarezakura, are planted, making it a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing where you can enjoy the white marble hill and cherry blossoms together! The best time to see the cherry blossoms is usually from late March to early April, and you can enjoy cherry blossoms not only on the Hill of Hope for the Future, but also throughout the temple grounds. Especially along the road leading to the Hill of Hope for the Future, cherry trees are planted in rows, and the light pink and white path is a beautiful scenery that is hard to see elsewhere! If you want to experience a slightly different cherry blossom viewing, why not visit the Hill of Hope for the Future during cherry blossom season? You will surely be greeted with a beautiful scenery that you have never seen before!

At Mirai-shin Hill, there is a popular cafe where you can relax in a space made of pure white marble and enjoy the stunning view. It's a recommended spot to take a break after a stroll. The Cafe Creole, made entirely of marble, has a stylish interior and a luxurious atmosphere where you can see the pure white stone garden from the large windows. There are also other windows where you can see the town on the island, and an open terrace where you can enjoy the scenery from any seat. The menu mainly consists of Italian cuisine, with many snacks, gelato, and drinks made with local specialty lemons. Please note that the cafe is located on the grounds of Koso-ji Temple, so an admission fee is required. However, it's a recommended spot where you can enjoy giant art and have tea in a unique space that you can't experience anywhere else.

If you visit the Mirai-Shin Hill, be sure to take a leisurely stroll through the grounds of Kosanji Temple! It's an impressive temple with 15 registered tangible cultural properties! Kosanji Temple was built by Kosanji Kosan, a former businessman turned monk, in memory of his deceased mother. It's an open temple where you can enjoy the Mirai-Shin Hill and gorgeous architecture. Among them, the most famous are the colorful towers and halls, built as an homage to famous temple buildings throughout Japan! You can have a great experience seeing famous buildings from all over Japan at once, such as the Yoro Gate, modeled after the Yomeimon Gate at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and the main hall, modeled after the Phoenix Hall at Byodoin Temple. The Yoro Gate and main hall, in particular, have beautiful colors such as vermilion, gold, and green, making it fun to take photos. There are many overwhelming buildings to see, so immerse yourself in the splendid world of art at Kosanji Temple!

At Kosanji Temple, there is a beautiful mansion called "Seicho-kaku," which has been designated as a registered tangible cultural property of Japan. It was built by Kosanji Kosan for his mother, and you can visit the inside of the mansion! The building is a mixture of Western and Japanese styles from the early Showa period, with detailed architecture such as stained glass, ceiling paintings, and transoms that will take your breath away with their beauty! There is an admission fee of 200 yen, but it's worth it to see such a beautiful design. This spot is especially recommended for those who love architecture.