Onomichi

Onomichi, the gateway to Shikoku mainland, is located at the east side of Hiroshima Prefecture. The area has always been the busy town, lots of comings and goings. During the Edo period, it plays a role as a transit point for shipping, later for railway transportation in the Edo period for Chugoku and Shikoku regions.
At the present, Onomichi is expected to enhance its convenience as "the Seto Crossroads" due to the opening of Shimanami Kaido Expressway and the Chuugoku Crossing Expressway. Onomichi has been a popular tourist destination for a long time. In what points of Onomichi attracts the people? Let us introduce the charms in Onomichi.

1. "Saka no machi (the town of slopes)" and Senkou-ji temple
Onomichi is narrow, sandwiched by the sea in the south and mountains in the north; hence, there is almost no flat field. So that those mountains were leveled down to build the residential area in the town, and roads were built along the mountain. For this reason, the difference of elevation is intense; therefore, Onomichi came to be called "the town of slopes". Senkou-ji temple is a place where you can enjoy this unique topography and scenery.


There are two way to get to Senkou-ji temple: one is by a ropeway and the other is on foot, our recommendation is get on the ropeway for the first time. So that you can see the whole view of the Onomichi town and the roads of Onomichi. Senkou-ji main hall stands on the middle of the hill, so the view from there is breathtaking. In addition, if you are confidence in your physical fitness, we recommend that you try the Ishizuchisan chain training at back the main hall. You will be climbing the rocky mountain by a chain without fence, please be sure to wear easy-to-move clothes with comfortable shoes.


After visiting Senkou-ji Temple and enjoyed the view from there, we recommend you to walk down the hill. It will be enjoyable walking on a variety of paths: some are calm slopes, stairs, and narrow. When you are tired, then take a break at cafes along the path, most of them are renovated old houses. While you are walking, you will notice that there are many cats. Those cats are human friendly, so you will be not ignored, but given warm welcome by them. There is also an alley named "Cat's Narrow Path" near Senkou-ji temple, so if you like cats, you will have a moment of bliss.

 

2. "City of movies" and "City of literature"
One of the reasons why Onomichi is popular among tourists is that Onomichi became stages for various works of art. In literature, Naoya Shiga  "Anya Kouro(A Dark Night's Passing) " and Fumiko Hayashi "Hourouki (A Wanderer's Notebook)", in the film Yasujiro Ozu "Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story)" and Nobuhiko Obayashi "Toki wo Kakeru Shojyo (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time)" and so on. If you are keen of those arts, there is a library about these works and writers.
At the “Onomichi Literature Museum” in the middle of Mt. Senkou-ji, you will find “Naoya Shiga's former residence” and those restored Fumiko Hayashi's study room, in addition to manuscripts and materials of the artists are on display. And at the “Onomichi Movie Museum” near the Onomichi City Hall, it displays “Tokyo Monogatari” and other materials mainly from Ozu and Kento Shindou (both are famous Japanese movie directors).


Another indespensable point in Onomichi is "Cinema Onomichi". Despite being a "city of movies", Onomichi cinemas abandoned in the early 2000s. Soon after, a movement to restore movie theater starts, and an independance cinema reopened. That is "Cinema Onomichi". It is the movie theater, which plays high quality movies that can not be seen in major cinema complex screens. It may be not common seeing cinema during a trip, but if you find something interesting is on, it may worth watching. The movie you see during the trip would be memorable with your memory of the trip.


3. Gourmet 
Let's enjoy unique and delicious local foods during the trip, you can not ignore the famous Onomichi ramen. It features soy sauce soup and flat noodles with pork backing oil floating.  Even though the pork back oil is added, the base is made by seafood soup, the taste is simple. It may be good to eat Onomichi ramen in several shops for a comparison.
Also, since Onomichi and Hiroshima produce a great volume of citrus fruits, there are many sweets and foods made by the fruits. If you want to enjoy the gourmet in a fashionable place, "ONOMICHI U2" is recommended. A renovated shipping warehouse, the complex is a combined commercial facility with a hotel, a cycling base, an antenna shop with local produce, and restaurants. That is a place for buying souvenirs as well as eating meals.


4 Cycling
Onomichi is a starting point for the Shimanami Kaido Road, the flagship of Japan's bike ride. You can rent a bike in Onomichi, where your cycling starts, and go to Mukojima Island. A blue line on the road guides you to the next island. Some roads can be tough, and it may be advisable to rent a power assisted bike if you do not feel an attack.


Onomichi is often perceived as a destination visited by older tourists, but is actually popular among younger generations and foreigners. The younger generations renovate vacant houses and warehouses; thus creating novelty and value to the city. Come discover this city that perfectly harmonizes tradition and modernity!
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