[Hiroshima/Onomichi] Weekends and holidays only: A luxurious tour exploring the history of Onomichi in one day

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The tour we are introducing this time is...

Weekends and Holidays Only: 1-day Onomichi Historical Tour

This tour is available on weekends and holidays and will help you discover the picturesque charm of Onomichi. Start with a view of the Seto Inland Sea islands from the Senkojiyama Observatory. Continue to the historic Senkoji Temple, nestled in the hills. Experience the region's spiritual culture in a tranquil setting. The temple is famous for its vibrant cherry blossoms in spring and stunning autumn foliage. You will also see traditional hideaway houses and beautiful pagodas scattered along the slopes. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant carefully selected by your guide. Afterwards, visit Kukakean, a faithful reproduction of a teahouse designed by Sen no Rikyu, the 16th century tea master, and a beautifully preserved garden. Continue to the 1400-year-old Jodo-ji Temple, known as the setting for Yasujiro Ozu's classic film "Tokyo Story." On the way to the seaside town, you can see the traditional inns featured in the film. Finally, you will have the chance to explore the Iron Plate Pier and the Seaside Museum, and appreciate the beauty of the murals while taking in the charms of Onomichi's culture and nature. Accompanied by an experienced guide, we promise you a quality trip that will satisfy your intellectual curiosity.

Tour details here

1

Mount Senkoji Ropeway

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.

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2

Senkoji Park/Top Observation Deck (PEAK)

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 mountaintop 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.

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3

Senkoji Temple

Senkoji Temple is located 140 meters above sea level, halfway up Mount Daiho, overlooking Onomichi Port. It was founded by Kobo Daishi in 806 and is said to have been restored by Tada Manchu. The main hall, with its unusual stage design, is also known as the "Red Hall," and Fumiko Hayashi wrote in her book "Horoyuki" that "the red tower of Senkoji Temple can be seen." The principal image of the temple, the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva, which is open to the public once every 33 years, is said to have been made by Prince Shotoku and has long been known as the "fire-preventing Kannon" and is known for its miraculous powers in preventing fires. Today, it is visited by many writers and artists as a Kannon who grants wishes. Senkoji Temple, which overlooks the scenic port town, is visited by many writers and artists. Among them, Rai Sanyo wrote in a Chinese poem, "Six years have passed since I came to Senkoji Temple."

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The Souraiken Garden was the villa of the wealthy Hashimoto family, a merchant family from the Edo period, and its elaborate gardens and teahouses are cultural heritage that tell the story of the wealthy merchants of the time and the history of Onomichi. In particular, the Souraiken teahouse "Meiki-an" is said to be a copy of the national treasure "Myoki-an Tai-an" in Yamazaki, Kyoto, and there are only a few examples of this in Japan, making it a valuable cultural asset as a historical document.

Jodo-ji Temple is said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku in 616. It is also famous as the temple where Ashikaga Takauji prayed for victory during his conquest of Kyushu and the Battle of Minatogawa. The main hall and pagoda are national treasures, the mountain gate and Amida Hall are national important cultural properties, and the entire temple grounds are a nationally designated cultural asset. In the inner garden is the teahouse Rokkian (national important cultural property), which is said to have been moved from Fushimi Castle, and the view of Onomichi from the Okunoin (Jodo-jiyama Observatory) is one of the most representative views of Onomichi.

Onomichi is a port town that brings back memories for everyone. The Seaside Museum is decorated with three replicas of famous painters and 17 replicas (as of 2018) of the Grand Prize winners of the "Onomichi City Paintings Four Seasons Exhibition" organized by the city, creating a sunny museum. The "Onomichi City Paintings Four Seasons Exhibition" was first held in 1983 and has been held every other year since then.

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