Onomichi (Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Overview (history, characteristics, attractions)

Onomichi (Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture) is a port town facing the Seto Inland Sea and known as the "town of slopes." It once flourished as a key hub for shipping and commerce along the Seto Inland Sea, and is known for its charming port town scenery, with its narrow alleys, stone steps, old merchant houses, and temples. It has also been used as a filming location for movies and literary works, and attracts tourists with its retro townscape, seascape, abundance of cats, and gourmet food such as Onomichi ramen. The view of the Onomichi Strait (the entrance to the Shimanami Kaido) from Mount Senkoji is particularly famous and is a popular photo spot.

Highlights

• Senkoji Park and Senkoji Temple: A park and an ancient temple located on the summit and mid-mountain. The view of the Onomichi Strait from the observation deck is a must-see. Accessible by ropeway.
• Cat's Narrow Path: A narrow path that runs through rows of old houses. This is an area where you can often come across lots of cat art and actual cats.
• Onomichi Main Shopping Street and Back Alley Stroll: Showa-era retro shops, cafes, and souvenir shops line the streets. If you go into the alleys, you will find cafes and galleries renovated from old houses.
• Onomichi Strait and FerryFerries to Mukojima and other destinations operate frequently from the port. The scenery of the water, shipyards, and islands is picturesque.
• Onomichi Ramen: A local ramen with a soy sauce base and the flavor of back fat and seafood. There are many restaurants, from long-established to new.
• Onomichi City Museum of Art and Literature Path: There are facilities that introduce local culture, as well as literary monuments and spots related to writers.
• Starting point of the Shimanami Kaido cycling: The Shimanami Kaido cycling road, which crosses the islands, is nearby, and there are plenty of facilities that serve as bases for cyclists (Onomichi U2, etc.).
• Visiting film and literary locations: There are many highlights for film and literature fans, including works by director Nobuhiko Obayashi.

Access (nearest station, transportation, etc.)

• RailwayThe nearest station is Onomichi Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line. From the station, you can walk to the city center and Senkoji Temple (approximately a 20-30 minute walk, depending on the person as there are many slopes and stairs).
• From Hiroshima: Approximately 1 hour from Hiroshima Station by JR (conventional or rapid train). If you are using the Shinkansen, change to the conventional line at Fukuyama Station, and the journey from Fukuyama to Onomichi takes approximately 15 minutes.
• carAccess via the Sanyo Expressway's Fukuyama Nishi IC or Onomichi IC. The roads in the city are narrow and parking is limited, so it's a good idea to check the location of major parking lots before visiting.
• Ferry: Short-distance ferries, such as the Onomichi-Mukojima (Mukojima Ferry), operate frequently. Some routes are accessible by foot, bicycle, or car.
• airport: The nearest major airport is Hiroshima Airport. The most common route is to take an airport limousine, train, or bus to Hiroshima Station and then take the JR line to Onomichi.

Estimated stay (estimated time required)

• Half day (2-4 hours): If you want to quickly visit only the area around the station, Senkoji Park, and the main photo spots.
• 1 day (6-8 hours)A standard course that includes a stroll through the shopping district, visiting Senkoji Temple and the Cat Alley, eating Onomichi ramen, and visiting the ferry and art museum.
• 1 night or more: We recommend staying overnight if you want to enjoy the quiet townscape at dusk or in the morning, cycle along the Shimanami Kaido, or visit the surrounding islands (Mukojima, Innoshima, and island hopping in the Seto Inland Sea).

Nearby spots

• Mukojima (a few minutes by ferry) — Stroll around the island's villages and enjoy the coastal scenery.
• Shimanami Kaido (Cycling) - The entrance to the cycling road that connects Honshu and Shikoku. Perfect for day trips or overnight stays.
• You can enjoy the views of the Setouchi islands such as Innoshima and Ikuchijima, as well as Setouchi art (the culture of each island).
• Fukuyama (nearby by car or train) - Accessible to tourist spots such as Fukuyama Castle and Tomonoura.

Things to be aware of (crowding, etiquette, seasonal precautions, etc.)

• Many slopes and stairs: Onomichi has many steep slopes and stone steps. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Some areas may be difficult to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs (although the ropeway and some roads are accessible).
• congestion: During Golden Week, summer vacation, autumn foliage season, and weekends, the number of tourists increases, and there are often long lines at popular observation spots and restaurants. For a more comfortable stay, it is recommended to avoid peak hours and plan your visit or stay overnight early in the morning.
• Alley Manners: You may stray onto narrow residential roads or private property. Please be considerate of the residents' lives when taking photos, and observe good manners such as not shouting or leaving any trash behind.
• Consideration for cats: You can often encounter cats in narrow cat trails, but please do not touch or feed them without permission. Be aware of the health of stray cats and local rules.
• Weather and SeasonThe Seto Inland Sea is known for its mild climate, but be aware of sudden weather changes and ferry cancellations during the rainy season and when typhoons approach. In summer, the sun can be strong and hot, so be sure to bring a hat and stay hydrated.
• Parking and Transportation: The roads in the city are narrow and parking spaces are limited, so if you are coming by car, it is a good idea to check for parking spaces in advance and consider using public transportation or a bicycle.

Onomichi is a town that can be thoroughly enjoyed even in a short amount of time, but there are many small shops and scenery that can only be discovered by walking slowly, so please make sure to allow yourself plenty of time when visiting.