A torii gate stands along the mountain trail of Jodojisan Mountain, offering a serene atmosphere. Courtesy of Onomichi Tourism Association
You may have heard of Hiroshima, a city in Japan, as the place where the first atomic bomb was dropped, along with Nagasaki.
For this reason, it is widely known around the world. In terms of tourism, the iconic Torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, standing in the sea, is also famous. However, many Japanese people know another popular tourist destination in Hiroshima Prefecture: Onomichi.
Located about an hour and a half by car or 50 minutes by train from Hiroshima City, Onomichi is famous for its scenic beauty. The town stretches along the gentle slopes of the Seto Inland Sea, and its hilly terrain has made it a backdrop for many manga, movies, and other works.
In this article, a Japanese travel writer introduces the charm of Onomichi, a place you should visit when in Hiroshima.
Onomichi’s Townscape and Scenery
As mentioned earlier, Onomichi’s most notable feature is its beautiful, sloping townscape. Hiroshima Prefecture is located in the eastern part of Honshu, Japan’s main island, on the west side of cities like Osaka and Kyoto. Between Honshu and the large island of Shikoku lies the Seto Inland Sea, a calm inland sea that has supported trade routes for centuries.
The Seto Inland Sea area enjoys many sunny days and a mild climate, with many islands scattered throughout. Because of its historical significance as a trade route, some people even refer to it as the “Mediterranean Sea” of Japan, despite the obvious differences in scale.
Onomichi is situated along this national park-designated coastline. The town spreads along a narrow coastline, and behind the town, steep hills rise, creating a beautiful contrast.
On these slopes, old houses, narrow alleys, and historic temples, such as Senko-ji Temple and Tahoto Pagoda of Jodo-ji Temple, dot the landscape.
From the grounds of Senko-ji Temple, you can overlook the town below. In the distance, you can see the Onomichi Strait (a channel) with the island of Mukojima, and further beyond, the islands of others.
The view changes its colors from sunrise to sunset, offering a breathtaking panorama that has inspired the works of Nobel Prize-winning author Kenzaburo Oe and film director Nobuhiko Obayashi.
Onomichi’s Artistic Influence
The town’s beautiful location has attracted many artists, who have made Onomichi their base of creative activities. Because of this, Onomichi is also known as a town of art.
There are many art-related places throughout the town, from public institutions like the Onomichi City Museum of Art, designed by Tadao Ando, to spaces like Onomichi U2, an old warehouse transformed into a commercial facility including art shops.
Courtesy of Onomichi Tourism Association
Artists and creators have also revived vacant houses for art activities. Onomichi hosts projects to revitalize its vacant houses and abandoned buildings through the power of art, which is deeply rooted in the community.
In a way, the entire town functions as an open gallery. While Onomichi itself is not an art island, neighboring islands in the Seto Inland Sea are also home to art communities.
Cycling Routes in Onomichi
Moreover, Onomichi is a key starting point for cycling on the Shimanami Kaido, a famous route connecting Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture to Imabari in Ehime Prefecture.
The route, which spans about 70 kilometers, connects large islands with bridges, many of which have dedicated bicycle lanes. It offers picturesque views of the islands and is an excellent place to enjoy a leisurely cycling experience in a warm climate.
The Shimanami Kaido is one of Japan’s most famous cycling routes. Along the way, you will encounter beautiful coastlines, orchards, historical landmarks such as the Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima and many rest stops, cafes and restaurants.
The route is relatively flat, but cycling from Onomichi to Imabari takes about five hours, so a round trip in one day might be a bit much.
Some choose to cycle one way and then take the bus or ferry back. You can also break the trip into smaller sections, such as cycling from Onomichi to Innoshima or Ikuchijima, and enjoy the route at your own pace.
Onomichi’s Famous Cuisine
Onomichi is also famous for its local cuisine. First, there’s Onomichi Ramen, known for its rich soy-based soup with thin, straight noodles. Popular ramen spots allow you to dine with the locals, offering a deep local experience.
Of course, seafood is abundant. You can enjoy grilled tai (sea bream), squid sashimi, sushi, and seafood bowls at local fish markets and restaurants.
Additionally, Hiroshima is known for its oysters. The sea off the coast of Onomichi is famous for producing oysters with strong umami due to the rich plankton in the waters. Many oyster huts and restaurants offer fresh oysters, grilled oysters, fried oysters and more.
The Seto Inland Sea is also known for its citrus fruit production. Try combining fresh oysters with lemon juice from the area—it’s an unbeatable combination.
For those looking to enjoy beautiful landscapes, strolls, art, cycling and delicious food, Onomichi is the perfect place to experience all that Japan has to offer.
How to Get to Onomichi
How can you access Onomichi from major Japanese cities? The following is a breakdown of access from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
Please note that fares can fluctuate depending on the season and reservation status, and travel times are approximate. It’s always best to check the latest information on the official transportation websites.
Tokyo → Onomichi
- Shinkansen (Fastest and Recommended)
Tokyo Station → (Nozomi, about 3 hours 20 minutes) → Fukuyama Station → (JR Sanyo Line, about 20 minutes) → Onomichi Station
Fare: Approx. ¥17,500 (for a reserved seat) - Flight (Via Hiroshima Airport)
Haneda Airport → (Flight, about 1 hour 30 minutes) → Hiroshima Airport → (Bus, about 50 minutes) → JR Mihara Station → (Sanyo Line, about 15 minutes) → Onomichi Station
Fare: Approx. ¥20,000–25,000 - Night Bus (Cheapest Option)
Tokyo Station/Shinjuku → (Night Bus, about 11–12 hours) → Onomichi Station
Fare: Approx. ¥10,000
Osaka → Onomichi
- Shinkansen (Fast and Convenient)
Shin-Osaka Station → (Nozomi/Sakura, about 1 hour) → Fukuyama Station → (JR Sanyo Line, about 20 minutes) → Onomichi Station
Fare: Approx. ¥7,500 - Local Train (Cheaper but Takes Time)
Osaka Station → (about 4 hours 30 minutes) → Onomichi Station
Fare: Approx. ¥4,500 - Express Bus (Affordable)
Osaka → (Highway Bus, about 3 hours 30 minutes) → Onomichi Station
Fare: Approx. ¥4,000–5,500
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Author Bio: Masayoshi Sakamoto is a Japanese writer, translator, and editor living in Toyama, Japan. He is the editor-in-chief of a local magazine, Hokuroku, and was the chief editor of a popular digital business magazine based in Tokyo, bizSPA!
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