Onomichi Travel Guide: 5 Essential Places to Visit, Food, and Hotels

Onomichi: Hiroshima's Highlight-Filled Town

Onomichi City is located in the southeast part of Hiroshima Prefecture and is a popular destination that faces the Seto Inland Sea.

There are a variety of ways to enjoy the local area. Visitors can enjoy stunning views along the Shimanami Kaido route and savor the regional specialty of Onomichi ramen, as well as pay a visit to some historical buildings.

This article introduces basic information on Onomichi, as well as our recommended dining spots and local hotels.

Onomichi Travel Guide

1. Onomichi Area Guide
2. Five Classic Sightseeing Spots in Onomichi
3. Explore Onomichi by Bicycle: How to Rent a Bicycle
4. Top 5 Dining Spots in Onomichi
5. Hotels in Onomichi

Onomichi Area Guide

Photo by Pixta

Onomichi has interesting areas including A Town of Slopes-Onomichi Area, Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Area, and the Remote Islands Area. Each has its own unique charm.

Onomichi is situated almost right in the middle of the Setouchi Region, with rolling countrysides spreading out in the north, and the Shimanami Kaido route running through the south.

Onomichi became an officially recognized port of call for Emperor Goshirakawa's manor during the Heian Period (794-1185) in 1169. Since then, this old city has flourished by way of merchant ships and sailing vessels that have come and gone through the area.

A Town of Slopes-Onomichi Area: Feel the Local History

Onomichi, which stretches out from north to south, is also known as A Town of Slopes.

There are many areas with narrow stairs and slopes where cars can't enter, so we recommend strolling about in a pair of comfortable walking shoes. There are also many traditional homes and a retro townscape that will remind you of the good old days.

During the Edo Period (1603-1868) Onomichi became a port of call for Kitamaebune, or northern-bound ships. As the town developed, temples and shrines also began to be built. Visitors can enjoy visiting many of these historic temples.

Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Area: Joins Onomichi With Ehime

Photo by Pixta

The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido cycling road joins Onomichi City with Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture and has picturesque views of islands floating in the Seto Island Sea.

The attraction along this route―which stretches for some 70 kilometer―is the dedicated bike lane that allows you to cycle safely and enjoy the surrounding scenery. This is the first biking route in Japan that goes across a strait, and is also known as a mecca for cyclists.

Remote Islands Area: Get Here From Shimanami Kaido

Photo by Pixta

You can also pass through the Shimanami Kaido and stop in at some remote islands.

There are many islands along the Shimanami Kaido route. Mukojima Island is located across from Onomichi, Innoshima Island is home to the castle-shaped naval museum, and Ikuchijima Island is known as one of Japan's leading citrus fruit growing areas.

Visit several of the islands and you'll experience the different atmosphere of each one!

5 Classic Sightseeing Spots in Onomichi

Next, we introduce some of Onomichi's sightseeing spots. These include historic temples and shrines, a variety of cat-related artwork, and spaces where you can go back in time to the Showa Period (1926-1989).

1. Cat Alley

Photo by Pixta

Onomichi is a fishing port and home to many cats. The city is also involved in various cat-related community projects.

Cat Alley (Neko no Hosomichi) is a narrow sloping path leading to the mountain behind Onomichi's oldest shrine, Ushitora Shrine.

Along this narrow slope there are many stones embellished with painted images of cats, known as Lucky Stone Cats (Fukuseki Neko). Though you might not meet actual cats along this route, you can feel at ease here with the cat-themed objects and accessories.

There are many spots related to cats including Maneki-Neko Museum and the large Cat Buddha statue (Nyahanzo).

Cat Alley
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Higashi Tsuchido-cho
Official Homepage: Cat Alley

2. Senkoji Temple

Photo by Pixta

Senkoji Temple sits at an elevation of 140 meters and offers a commanding view of Onomichi City.

The vermillion-laquered main hall, with its unique stage design, was built during the early part of the Edo Period in 1686 and is also known as the red hall (Akado).

The bell tower (shoro) also serves as the temple's symbol and is famous as a clock bell (toki-no-kane). On TV and radio it's known for being the bell that rings in the new year.

Senkoji Temple
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Higashi Tsuchido-cho 15-1
Visiting Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Official Homepage: Senkoji Temple (Japanese)

3. Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street

Photo by Pixta

Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street extends from JR Onomichi Station for about 1.2 kilometers and is a shopping area with an old fashioned retro atmosphere.

More than ten of its shops have been in business longer than 100 years, and historical and cultural heritage buildings also remain.

The arcade is lined with about 210 shops making it the ideal place to pick up a souvenir or grab a bite to eat. The arcade is covered so it's an enjoyable spot even on rainy days.

Onomichi Hondori Shopping Center
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi (from Higashigosho-cho to Kubo Honmachi)
Official Homepage: Onomichi Hondori Shopping Center (Japanese)

4. Misode Tenmangu Shrine

Photo by Pixta

Misode Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning. It's also said to be the spot where Michizane stopped on his way to Dazaifu in Kyushu. During the exam season, many students visit here to pray for success.

The shrine also appeared in the famous stairway scene in director Nobuhiko Obayashi's movie, "Tenkosei," and the animation production, "Kamichu." So it's a popular spot among film location buffs as well.

Misode Tenmangu Shrine
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Nagai 1-11-16
Official Homepage: Misode Tenmangu Shrine (Japanese)

5. Onomichi City Museum of Art

The Onomichi City Museum of Art, which opened in 1980, is a museum with the aim of "Providing authentic arts and culture." In 2003, the museum underwent a design renovation by world famous architect Tadao Ando, resulting in its present-day look.

The exhibits on display offer a wide range of high-quality art that transcend eras, countries, and genres.

Onomichi City Museum of Art
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Nishi Tsuchido-cho 17-19
Business Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Official Homepage: Onomichi City Museum of Art

Renting a Bicycle to Explore Onomichi

Photo by Pixta

If you rent a bicycle, you can easily enjoy cycling along the Shimanami Kaido route.

We recommend Rent-a-Cycle Station Onomichi Base which is located near Onomichi Station. Even first-timers don't need to worry because the friendly shop staff will give instructions on how to safely operate a bike.

The shop has a wide range of bicycles, from cross bikes all the way to children's bikes, so they can be used even by families and couples.

Rent-a-Cycle Station Onomichi Base
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Higashigosho-cho 3-24 1F
Business Hours: 9:00 - 18:00
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Official Homepage: Rent-a-Cycle Station Onomichi Base (Japanese)

Top 5 Dining Spots in Onomichi

Onomichi boasts gourmet cuisine including fresh fish from the Seto Island Sea.

Onomichi is also known as a ship-building town. It's been said that the origin of Onomichi ramen was chuka soba, which was widely eaten by workers in the local ship building industry.

1. Onomichi Ramen

Photo by Pixta

Onomichi Ramen is made with a soup base consisting of chicken stock, Seto Island Sea small fish, and soy sauce. Chunks of pork fat floating in the soup add a rich flavor.

Among chuka soba shops we recommend Chuka Soba Shu. This shop inherited the flavor of Shukaen, the restaurant that laid the foundation for Onomichi ramen. Diners here can enjoy the authentic taste of Onomichi ramen.

Chuka Soba Shu
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Toyohimotomachi 6-16
Business Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Closed: Thursdays, every third Wednesday of the month
Official Homempage: Not available

2. Onomichi-Yaki

Onomichi-Yaki is an appealing okonomiyaki with a unique texture in which gizzards and squid tempura are added to Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Iwabe is located along Hondori Shopping Street and is the talk of the town as a spot for enjoying exquisite Onomichi-Yaki. The okonomiyaki dough, cooked until it's nice and fluffy, is very healthy and goes well with the spicy sauce.

Iwabe
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Toyohimotomachi 1-23
Business Hours: 11:30 - 15:00 / 17:00 - 19:30
Closed: Thursdays, every third Wednesday (open when Wednesday is a national holiday)
Official Homepage: Not available

3. Oysters

Photo by Pixta

Hiroshima Prefecture's famous oysters can also be eaten in Onomichi. These oysters are large and characterized by their firm texture and rich flavor.

Nagomidokoro Shin is located about nine minutes on foot from Onomichi Station. Here you can sample fresh oysters as you gaze out at the beautiful Seto Island Sea.

Nagomidokoro Shin
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Tsuchido 1-16-6
Business Hours: 11:00 - 14:00 / 17:00 - 21:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Official Homepage: Not available

4. Okoze

At a ryotei restaurant in Onomichi they offer okoze (stonefish), known as a luxury fish, either deep-fried or as a raw fish platter (ikizukkuri).

Onomichi no Shokujidokoro Aoyagi is famous for its deep-fried okoze. Diners here can enjoy the deep flavor of okoze as part of a course menu or teishoku set meal.

Onomichi no Shokujidokoro Aoyagi
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Tsuchido 2-8-15
Business Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat 11:30 - 14:00 / 17:00 - 21:00
Sundays and national holidays 11:30 - 14:00 (evenings are by reservation only)
Closed: Wednesdays
Official Homepage: Onomichi no Shokujidokoro Aoyagi (Japanese)

5. Hassaku Daifuku

Photo by Pixta

Hassaku is a citrus fruit that was accidentally discovered during the Edo Period on Onomichi City's Innoshima Island. It is slightly larger in size than a baseball and is known for its refreshing texture.

Hassaku Daifuku, filled with hassaku and red bean paste, is a Japanese confectionery that was born on Innoshima Island.

The hassaku daifuku at Shohukutei is available in two types: crushed red bean paste (koshi-an) or white bean paste (shiro-an). So please try the delicious taste of hassaku fruit―brought in directly from growers on Innoshima Island and Ikuchishima Island.

Shohukutei
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Toyohimotomachi 3-3
Business Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Closes when stock sells out)
Closed: Thursdays (open when Thursday is a national holiday)
Official Homepage: Shohukutei (Japanese)

Hotels in Onomichi

Accommodation facilities that will ease your travel fatigue are also full of charming qualities unique to Onomichi.

HOTEL BEACON Onomichi

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

HOTEL BEACON Onomichi is a futuristic hotel that's directly connected to Onomichi Station. The hotel has rooms equipped with home theaters as well as a cycle storage room and other facilities where bikes can be safely kept.

HOTEL BEACON Onomichi
Access: Directly connected to JR Onomichi Station
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Higashigosho-cho 1-1 (2nd floor of Onomichi Station)
Check-in / Check-out: 15:00 / 11:00

ONOMICHI U2 ／HOTEL CYCLE

Picture courtesy of Rakuten Travel

ONOMICHI U2 is a former marine transport storage facility that was renovated into a commercial complex. Inside you'll find HOTEL CYCLE where guests can check in with their bicycle. Guests will be happy to know that there's a wall-mounting bike hanger for storing their bike inside the room.

The hotel is conveniently located a short walk from JR Onomichi Station.

ONOMICHI U2 ／HOTEL CYCLE
Access: About five minutes on foot from JR Onomichi Station
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Nishigosho-cho 5-11
Check-in / Check-out: 15:00 / 11:00

Onomichi Hansei

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Onomichi Hansei is located in Onomichi's Kubo area. This former ryotei restaurant was renovated into a ryokan. Diners here can experience a genuine Japanese-style banquet course using ingredients from Onomichi.

Guest rooms feature a modern Japanese design where visitors can spend some relaxing and soothing moments.

Onomichi Hansei
Access: About 20 minutes on foot from JR Onomichi Station, about 15 minutes by car from Onomichi Interchange on the Sanyo Expressway.
Location: Hiroshima, Onomichi, Kubo 2-15-15
Check-in / Check-out: 15:00 / 11:00

Enjoy the Sights of Onomichi and Shimanami Kaido on a Cycling Tour!

Onomichi is popular among cyclists as the starting point for the Shimanami Kaido on the Honshu side.

This historic town has flourished since the Heian Period and is blessed with many sightseeing resources. There are many ways to enjoy the area such as visiting old temples and shrines, looking at cat-related artwork, and sampling Setouchi cuisine.

Please refer to the sightseeing spots and facilities featured in today's article when planning your own visit to Onomichi!

Written by Kakutama editorial team