Onomichi is a quaint port town in Hiroshima Prefecture known for its temples, cats, and cycling. The city consists of the slopey mainland and some of the neighbouring islands in the Seto Inland Sea connected by Shimanami Kaido, one of the world’s best bike routes.
I discovered there are many things to do in Onomichi City while researching for my solo trip to Japan. I knew I wanted to visit Onomichi town as soon as I learned about the city. Not only am I drawn to all the historical temples and sites, but I also wanted to cycle through one of the most popular bikeways.
You may not have heard of Onomichi as it is not as well known as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or Hiroshima. But it is the precise reason why you should get off the beaten path in Japan and travel to Onomichi. The city has so much to offer, and I will show you all the everything I know in my Onomichi Japan guide.
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Onomichi Japan Guide: what you need to know
Before you visit Onomichi, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Japan. I included a lot of information including how to get around Japan and other travel tips.
Here are additional travel tips that you may find useful for travelling to Onomichi City:
- Onomichi is a small town and walking is the best way to see the city
- ICOCA is the prepaid IC card for Hiroshima Prefecture. It is a rechargeable smartcard where you can take public transportation including buses, trains and etc. It is useful to have especially if you are taking day trips to Okunoshima Island (Rabbit Island), Tomonoura or other destinations.
- It is possible to see all the Onomichi attractions in one day
- If you are only visiting Onomichi on a day trip, there are plenty of coin lockers. There are coin lockers at Onomichi Station (before you exit), the Onomichi tourist information desk just at the south exit for ¥500, across the street from the south exit for ¥300 and at the harbour bike rental for ¥500.
- The only ATM I found in Onomichi is in Lawson, a Japanese convenience store, between Onomichi Station and the harbour.
How to travel to Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
Onomichi is a small town 40km east of Hiroshima, Japan. The closest airport is Hiroshima Airport. Many domestic and international flights arrive at Hiroshima Airport.
From Hiroshima Airport to Onomichi Station
- Hiroshima Airport Limousine Bus: from Hiroshima Airport to Onomichi Station
- Time: 51 minutes (3 buses each day)
- Cost: about ¥2,000
- Check the limousine bus schedule here
Whether you are travelling from either east or west of Onomichi, you can arrive directly at Onomichi Station. Check Hyperdia for schedules and fares. Here are a few sample routes:
Travelling from east: Osaka to Onomichi
- JR Shinkansen: from Shin-Osaka Station to Fukuyama Station
- Time: 66 minutes
- Cost: from ¥8,000 (covered by JR Pass except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains)
- JR Sanyo Line: from Fukuyama Station to Onomichi Station
- Time: 19 minutes
- Cost: from ¥420 (covered by JR Pass)
Travelling from west: Hiroshima to Onomichi
- JR Shinkansen: from Hiroshima Station to Mihara Station
- Time: 31 minutes
- Cost: from ¥3,630 (covered by JR Pass except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains)
- JR Sanyo Line: from Mihara Station to Onomichi Station
- Time: 13 minutes
- Cost: from ¥240 (covered by JR Pass)
Map: 13 best things to do in Onomichi
Even though Onomichi is quite small, the city has a lot of attractions and many unique things to do. Onomichi tourism is booming because visitors like to experience places that are off the beaten path.
Wondering what to do in Onomichi as a solo traveller? Take a look at my map above. All the top things to do in Onomichi are pinned in the interactive map. You can find more information about each attraction by clicking on the individual pin.
Onomichi Japan: things to do for solo travellers
1 & 2. Onomichi Temple Walk and Tennei-ji Temple
The famous Onomichi Temple Walk connects 25 Buddhist temples along the hillside town. Walking through the 2.5km narrow marked path, you can see the old residential neighbourhood and historical temples and shrines. The city was once a shipping hub, and many temples were built to commemorate the wealthy merchants during the Edo Period. Today, some of these temples are designated as national historic landmarks.
Along the path, you see some of the more famous temples like Tennei-ji Temple. The three-tiered pagoda is a prominent landmark in the city. It was initially a five-tiered pagoda.
Temple Walk starts from the bridge just north of the hondori (covered main street), only a few minutes east of Onomichi Station.
3. Neko no Hosomichi (Cat Alley)
Random cats roam Neko no Hosomichi, aka Cat Alley, hence the name. They are quite “friendly.” I saw a girl with a cat on her lap while I walked through the alley. It looked like the cat jumped on her lap and she wasn’t able to move. Then minutes later, a tiny little kitten tried to jump on me. Of course, I freaked out and ran. I’m more of a dog person. Ha!
Look out for fukuishineko, lucky stone cats, around the cat alley as well.
4, 5, 6, & 7 Senko-ji Mountain Ropeway, Observatory Platform, Path of Literature in Senko-ji Park
One of the best ways to see Onomichi is by visiting Senko-ji Park. You can either walk up Temple Walk or take the Senko-ji Mountain Ropeway (¥320 one way or ¥500 round trip, every 15 minutes). However, I would suggest walking up to Senko-ji Park instead. The walk is not strenuous and is rather quick. Plus there are things to see along the way.
There are temples and shrines at the top and also an Observatory platform where you can see Onomichi from above. The park is especially pretty during the cherry blossom season (late March to early April) when 1500+ trees are in full bloom. It is one of the best places in Japan to see cherry blossoms.
While you are roaming through the park, visit Senko-ji Temple, which is perched near the top of the hill. Many different rock formations surround the red temple. The most notable rock, the “Jewel Rock,” a sphere rock on top of another giant rock, is said to illuminate the Seto Inland Sea. While you are there, take in the unobstructed view of Onomichi.
Follow the signs and find The Path of Literature. Onomichi is known for its literary roots, and the charming city inspired many well-known poets and writers. The path has 25 stone monuments with some portion of famous authors’ work inscribed on the stones. Follow the signs, and they will lead you to the trail, which zigzags at the top of Senko-ji Park.
8 & 9. Jodo-ji Temple and Jodo-ji Mountain
At the west end of Temple Walk, you will find Jodo-ji Temple, the temple of Shingon Buddhism. The temple holds two national treasures and is one of the sacred sites of Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
After visiting the temple, follow the path behind the Jodo-ji and hike up Jodoji Mountain. It will take about 45 minutes or so. But the hike is worth it! You can see Onomichi from another angle.
10. Onomichi City Museum of Art
From Senko-ji Park, follow the signs and path, and it will lead you to the Onomichi City Museum of Art. Designed by a famous Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, the museum has displays of artwork by local and western artists.
Different exhibitions have different admission prices. Check their website before visiting.
11. Onomichi Cinema Museum
In the renovated warehouse space, the Onomichi Cinema Museum displays anything that has to do with movies and Onomichi. Also known as “City of Film,” Onomichi’s unique qualities have influenced many movie production companies to film their movies in the city. Some of the famous movies include “Tokyo Monogatari” directed by Yasujiro Ozu, and “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” an animated film based on the novel.
12. Eat a bowl of Onomichi Ramen
Onomichi ramen is really famous! The soy sauce-flavoured soup, stock made from chicken and fish, is served with firm, flat noodles with pork back fat. And it comes with bamboo shoots and charsiu (pork) as well.
Eating in Onomichi is very affordable! If you are dining alone in one of the restaurants in Onomichi, you can get an excellent meal for less than ¥1000.
Try a bowl of Onomichi ramen at Ramen Miyachi, a little unassuming ramen restaurant that locals love.
13. Try other local food in Onomichi
The warm climate in the Seto Inland Sea region has the perfect weather to grow citrus fruits. You will find the lemon flavour in a lot of food.
And because Onomichi is the city that connects all the towns and islands in the Seto Inland Sea, the local culinary scene is heavily influenced by the food grown in the Setouchi area.
Try some of these local specialties:
- Onomichi custard pudding – a creamy custard pudding in a vintage glass bottle. It comes with lemon syrup in a little plastic fish bottle.
- Setouchi lemon – 60% of Japan’s lemons are grown in this region. So expect to find all types of lemon flavour desserts.
- Hassaku daifuku – a Japanese rice cake with fleshy orange inside, originated from Innoshima Island, along Shimanami Kaido.
- Ice monaka – the yummy ice cream between two wafers.
Try these Onomichi specialties at these recommended places:
- Karasawa Ice Cream ($) – a cute little dessert store that sells ice monaka, coffee and other desserts. Even though the menu is in Japanese, the simple menu is quite easy to understand.
- Oyatsu-to-Yamaneko ($) – they sell the traditional Onomichi custard pudding
- Yamaneko Mill ($) – a quaint coffee house that serves delicious caffeinated beverages. And they make a pudding that is famous in Onomichi. The pudding comes in a cute, vintage glass jar that is great for a souvenir as well.
- Antenna Coffee House ($) – an excellent spot for a break while walking through the Temple Walk.
- Panya Koro ($) – a small Japanese bakery that has the prettiest and tastiest baked goods. I had a matcha-flavoured bagel, and it was the best bagel I ever had!
- Onomichi Fukuya ($) – the basement level of the department store sells prepared meals.
- Onomichi U2 restaurant ($$) – get a pizza or pasta set lunch for ¥1,500, or grill set lunch from ¥1,800. A set meal comes with a salad, bread, and drink. Not a bad price for all the food you get and you can enjoy the beautiful ambiance of the restaurant and hotel.
- Komedoko Shokudo ($$) – just behind and above Yameneko Mill, the cozy little restaurant serves modern Japanese cuisine.
Things to see outside Onomichi: day trips
Shimanami Kaido
One of the best highlights of visiting Onomichi is cycling. People from all over the world travel to Onomichi because they want to cycle through the Shimanami Kaido bikeway, one of the best cycle routes in Japan. The entire cycle route is about 60km and connects six islands in the Seto Inland Sea and takes you from Onomichi to Imabari.
There are various ways to experience Shimanami Kaido. For a day trip, you can combine bike and ferry. If you want to complete the bikeway, you can cycle all the way to Imabari, stay overnight, and bike back to Onomichi the next day. No matter which method you prefer, your journey starts at the harbour.
Some of the highlights along Shimanami Kaido are the colourful temples at Kosanji Temple and marble abstract statues called Miraishin no Oka in Ikuchijima.
There is so much to see along Shimanami Kaido. Check out the Shimanami Kaido cycling map and learn about the area and plan your cycle trip.
Okunoshima Island
Okunoshima Island, also known as Rabbit Island, has hundreds of rabbits roaming freely around the small island. It is said that the island used to have a military lab where they make and test poisonous gas and maybe the rabbits were abandoned and left there. You can buy some rabbit food on the mainland before you get on the ferry. Please remember to be gentle with these little fuzzy creatures.
While you are on the island, explore some of the hiking trails and learn about the island’s history at the Poison Gas Museum.
From Onomichi Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Tadanoumi Station (50 minutes, ¥510). Then catch a ferry at Tadanoumi Port to Okunoshima Island. The ferry takes about 15 minutes and costs ¥310, and it leaves every half hour from 7:45 to 19:30. Check the ferry schedule here.
Tomonoura
As a quaint port town just south of Fukuyama, Tomonoura is the perfect place for a day trip. Tour the picturesque old town center where shops in the old wood houses sell homeishu (medicinal liquor) and see the boats docked at the pier. Do not miss the Joyato Lighthouse, Ioji Temple and make sure to visit Fukuzenji Temple for its fabulous views of the islands nearby.
From Onomichi Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Fukuyama Station (19 minutes, ¥420). Then take a bus bound for Tomo Port (38 minutes, ¥550).
Where to stay in Onomichi City
There are a few budget accommodations in Onomichi, but they are quite limited. However, there are more choices if you don’t mind paying a bit more for mid-range hotels or ryokans. And if you are a cyclist, try the Onomichi U2 hotel which is designed for cyclists.
- Guesthouse Anago ($) – just off the hondori (main shopping street), you can get a bunk bed in a renovated guesthouse. The building was formerly a fabric store.
- Check prices & reviews: Agoda
- Green Hill Hotel Onomichi ($$) – get a comfortable single bedroom close to Onomichi Station. Try to get one of the rooms facing the harbour.
- Check prices & reviews: Agoda
- Onomichi U2 Hotel / Hotel Cycle ($$) – located right by the harbour, the modern contemporary hotel is set in a refurbished warehouse space that is tailored for visitors who wants to explore Onomichi by bike. You can rent a bike at the Giant bike store, which is in the hotel, and bring your bike all the way to your hotel room. Also, the hotel has a restaurant, a cafe and a bar on the premise. The food is excellent in the hotel restaurant. Worth staying as it is Japan’s first hotel designed for cyclists.
- Check prices & reviews: Agoda
Overview: Onomichi travel guide for solo travellers
So, are you ready to get off the beaten track itinerary in Japan and explore Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture? I thoroughly enjoyed Onomichi City which is why I highly recommend going as a solo traveller!
And I hope you will too and find my list of all the best things to do in Onomichi useful for planning your trip to Japan!
Thank you for reading my Onomichi travel post
You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Japan:
Introduction to Japan
- Solo Travel to Japan: 17 best cities for solo travellers
- Things I wish I knew before going to Japan
- 11 Off-the-beaten-path places in Japan
- Japanese Food Culture: 11 must-try food
- One month in Japan: from Tokyo to Hiroshima
Kanto region
Kansai region
- Kyoto 2-day itinerary
- Uji day trip from Kyoto
- Nara day trip from Kyoto or Osaka
- 2-day Osaka itinerary
- Osaka to Kobe day trip: 1-day itinerary
- Himeji day trip from Osaka
Chugoku region
- Naoshima Art Island: 1-day itinerary
- How to spend one day on Teshima Island
- 17 Best things to do in Kurashiki Japan
- Shimanami Kaido: how to spend one day cycling Japan’s best bike route
- Hiroshima 2-day itinerary
- Day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima
Kyushu region
- 10-day Kyushu Island itinerary
- 25 Best things to do in Fukuoka Japan
- Day trip to Dazaifu from Fukuoka
- Kumamoto City in one day
- Day trip to Mount Aso from Kumamoto
- 11 Top things to do in Kagoshima Japan
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