A two-day, one-night itinerary departing from Osaka! Enjoy Setouchi's natural island and nostalgic cat town

Shin-Osaka Station is a major transportation hub in the Kansai region, with good connections to the Shinkansen and conventional train lines, and is also home to a wide selection of souvenirs and gourmet food.

Fukuyama Castle was built about 400 years ago, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. It is surrounded by parks, museums, art galleries, and other facilities, making it a popular place of history and culture. It is also known as the castle with the castle tower closest to the train station in Japan, and it takes about an hour by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Fukuyama Station, making it easily accessible from the Kansai region.

Onomichi Station, the main entrance to Onomichi City, is close to the city and the sea from Shin-Onomichi Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen line, and the area around the station offers beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea. There is also a hotel on the second floor of the station.

ONOMICHI U2 opened in 2014 after renovating the Prefectural Kamiya Warehouse No. 2, which was built in 1943. With the theme of "a small town within a town," it houses a hotel, restaurant, bar, cafe, bakery, lifestyle shop, and professional bicycle shop.

This is a sweets shop with a retro atmosphere in Onomichi. The popular "Onomichi Pudding" is made with local ingredients and has a smooth texture and lemon sauce, making it a double treat. The containers and packaging with cute illustrations are also one of its attractions. The handmade sweets are known for their simple and warm taste, making the most of the flavor of the ingredients.

The Mount Senkoji Ropeway is a tourist attraction in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, where you can enjoy beautiful scenery. The ride takes about three minutes from the foot of the mountain to Senkoji Park at the top of the mountain, offering a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea and the townscape of Onomichi. At the top of the mountain, you can visit Senkoji Temple and the Literary Path, a spot where you can enjoy a stroll through the scenery of the four seasons and a sense of history.

From the 63-meter-long observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Onomichi Strait and the cityscape of Japan Heritage. There is also an elevator connected to the ropeway's summit station, so it is safe for strollers and wheelchairs. The long and narrow observation deck is a famous spot where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Seto Inland Sea islands from any point.

Senkoji Temple is located 140 meters above sea level, halfway up Mount Daiho, overlooking Onomichi Port. The main hall, built as if clinging to the cliff, is also known as the "Red Hall," and from the temple grounds you can see a magnificent view of Onomichi.

Head left towards Ushitora Shrine, the oldest shrine in Onomichi, and you'll come to a narrow alleyway that continues on both sides for about 200 meters. Along this road, you'll find cafes and bars that have been renovated from old houses, accessory shops, art museums, gardens, and more, with unique "lucky cat stones" hidden here and there. Cats can be seen peeking out from the bushes and over the walls, making for a magical stroll that feels as if you've wandered into a cat world.

This popular Onomichi ramen shop is a 10-minute walk from JR Onomichi Station towards the shopping district. They use homemade flat, curly noodles that are left to sit for several days, so they stay chewy until the very end. The soup is made with fresh small fish from the Seto Inland Sea, including anchovies, and pork and chicken bones, and is combined with the richness of back fat to create a mellow, nostalgic flavor.

To get to Okunoshima, you need to take a ferry. The gateway to the island is Tadanoumi Port in Takehara City, a 7-minute walk from JR Tadanoumi Station. There is a shop at the port that sells rabbit goods, rabbit snacks, soft serve ice cream, coffee, and more. You can also store your luggage for 500 yen per visit, so if you're planning a day trip around the island, it's a good idea to leave any unnecessary luggage there.

In front of the First Pier, there are four sound collectors in the shape of rabbit ears, and their cute design has made them a popular spot for Instagram. Put your head inside and enjoy the sounds they collect.

This is the only accommodation facility on Okunoshima. There are also restaurants and hot spring facilities that can be used for day trips. If you want to enjoy seafood to your heart's content, staying overnight and using the buffet is the best option. At the shop, you can also purchase souvenirs such as rabbit-themed goods and Takehara local sake.