Onomichi city [尾道]

Onomichi is a city located at the southeast part of Hiroshima Prefecture.

It is just halfway between Okayama city and Hiroshima city.
The distance from Hiroshima is about 80 km.

The center part of the city faces Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai).

But there is Mukaishima island in front of the coast.
The channel between the mainland and the island is only 200 to 500 meters wide.
It looks like a river.

This area around Onomichi is hilly, and most parts of the area is on the slopes.

The main area is along the coast from east to west, and many narrow and sloping streets and alleys run in the area.

Onomichi was not attacked by air raids in World War II, so many old houses and small temples remain in this sloping area.

The scenery with such sloping town, narrow streets, islands in Seto Naikai has attracted various artists.
So many novelists and poets wrote about Onimichi and some movies were set on this city.

To enjoy the sightseeing of Onomichi, walking or using rental bicycle is best.

By the way, Onomichi ramen is a popular noodle in Onomichi.

The soup is made of the fish from Seto Naikai, and it is seasoned with only shoyu (soy sauce).
The Chinese noodle is a little thin and wide.

There are many restaurants for Onomichi ramen in the city.

The popular area is on the north side of JR San-yo Line and is in the east part of JR Onomichi station. On the slope, there are many houses and 25 old Buddhist temples are dotted.

For tourist, a stone‐paved road visiting several temples is set up in the area.
It is about 3 km long.

The popular temples are the followings.

Jikôji (持光寺) is located about 0.4 km from Onomichi station.

It is the old temple of Jodoshu (Pure Land Buddhism), and the gate of stone is unique.

Kômyôji (光明寺) is located about 0.6 km from Onomichi station.

It is also the temple of Jodoshu and founded in the early 9th century.
There is the tomb of Jinmaku (1829-1903) who was one of the strongest champions of Sumo wrestlers (Yokozuna) in the history.

Senkôji (千光寺) is located about 1 km from Onomichi station.

It is the temple of Shingon Buddhism and was founded in 806.
It is on the mountain side with rocky cliffs.

There is a park on the cliff behind the temple, and it is the popular observatory.

The ropeway leads to this park from the foot of the mountain.

Ten-neiji (天寧寺) is located about 1.3 km from Onomichi station.

It is the temple of Soto Zen Buddhism and was founded in 1367.
Three-story pagoda and 500 statues of Buddha are popular.

Saikokuji (西國寺) is located about 2.1 km from Onomichi station.

It is the temple of Shingon Buddhism and was founded in the early 8th century.
And it was restored in the 14th century.

It is a large temple and there are some buildings in the precinct.
Kondo built in 1386 and three-storied pagoda built in 1429 are designated as national important cultural properties.

Jôdoji (浄土寺) is located about 3 km from Onomichi station.

It is the temple of Shingon Buddhism.
It is said that Prince Shotoku (574-622) founded this temple.

The main temple and Two-story pagoda are designated as national treasures.

How to get here

By Shinkansen, get off at Shin-Onomichi station.
Then, by route bus, about 15 minutes from Shin-Onomichi station to JR Onomichi station.

Other Tourist Attractions in Hiroshima Prefecture

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