Sloping roads and alleys, and the serene scenery of the Seto Inland Sea stretching out before your eyes. Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, repeatedly depicted as the setting for films and literature, is a charming port town that feels somehow nostalgic, yet offers new discoveries with every step.
This guide will provide in-depth explanations based on real traveler reviews, covering everything from classic, must-visit Onomichi sightseeing spots to breathtaking art spaces worth extending your trip to along the Shimanami Kaido. We’ll also share tips for efficient touring and the best times to visit, so please use this as a reference for your travel plans.
Senkoji Yama Ropeway Summit Station
📍 Address: 20-1 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0033, Japan
The Senkoji Yama Ropeway is highly recommended as the starting point for Onomichi sightseeing. This aerial stroll, connecting the city center to the summit of Mount Senkoji in about 3 minutes, allows you to enjoy the superb views of the Japan Heritage townscape below and the Onomichi Channel all at once. From the moment you step off at the modern-designed summit station, the emotional scenery unique to Onomichi unfolds before you.
Here’s an ‘insider tip’ for using the ropeway that you absolutely must know: purchase a ‘one-way ticket (uphill only)’ instead of a round trip. The summit station is located higher than the main hall of Senkoji Temple, and walking downhill from there, exploring the ‘Path of Literature’ and Senkoji Temple, and then returning to the city center, is the least physically demanding route and allows you to fully appreciate the charm of Onomichi’s narrow, sloping streets.
While the view on a clear day is, of course, magnificent, the sunset scenery when a thin layer of snow covers the landscape in winter is also fantastically beautiful and breathtaking. Sometimes, elderly volunteer guides will warmly offer guidance and take photos, making interactions with locals a wonderful memory of your trip.
Senkoji Park
📍 Address: 19-1 Nishitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0032, Japan
Senkoji Park, sprawling from the vicinity of the ropeway summit station to the middle of the mountain, is a representative recreational area of Onomichi, also selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots. In 2022, the stylish 63-meter-long summit observation deck ‘PEAK’ was inaugurated, gaining popularity as an overwhelming viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of the Setouchi islands and even the mountains of Shikoku.
While the cherry blossom season is particularly famous, there’s a unique charm not only in aiming for full bloom but also in the early stages when blossoms are just beginning to appear. Gazing at the serene Setouchi landscape amidst the slightly chilly spring air, you can feel not just the special moment of ‘full bloom magnificence,’ but also the richness of everyday life itself, flowing slowly.
If accessing by car, you can use the Senkoji Park parking lot on the mountain (1000 yen for a full day on holidays), but it requires a 5-10 minute walk up a sloping path from the parking lot to the observation deck. The park also houses the ‘Onomichi City Museum of Art,’ designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, creating a comfortable space where art and scenery merge.
Senkoji Temple
📍 Address: 15-1 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0033, Japan
Descending the Path of Literature from Senkoji Park, you’ll discover Senkoji Temple, an ancient temple said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi in 806 (Daido 1). It is a symbolic presence in Onomichi, and its unique layout, clinging to the rocky cliffs on the mountainside, exudes a mysterious atmosphere that sets it apart from other temples.
The most striking feature is the vermilion-lacquered main hall, also known as ‘Akado’ (Red Hall). It boasts a rare ‘stage-like structure’ (kakezukuri) for this region, and the view from here is like an observatory floating in the sky. You can gaze upon the Onomichi Channel, Mukaishima Island, and passing ships as if they were a single painting. Furthermore, numerous unusual rocks are highlights, such as ‘Tama-no-iwa’ (Jewel Rock), a giant boulder with a legend of once illuminating the night sea, and ‘Tsutsumi-iwa’ (Drum Rock), which makes a drum-like sound when struck.
Since the temple grounds have many stone steps and slopes, comfortable walking shoes are essential. While some say it has a slightly commercial feel, this simply means it’s full of creative efforts to entertain visitors, and the variety of Goshuin (temple stamps) and amulets is exceptionally rich. It’s a renowned spot where you can fully enjoy both the weight of history and overwhelming scenic beauty.
Onomichi Hon-dori Shopping Street
📍 Address: 2-10-3 Tsuchido, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0035, Japan
Descending the mountain from the Senkoji area and extending about 1.2km east from JR Onomichi Station is the ‘Onomichi Hon-dori Shopping Street.’ Before the Shimanami Kaido bridges opened, this place was bustling with shoppers arriving by boat from the islands, and it still strongly retains the history and vestiges of that era.
While some shops remain shuttered, you’ll also find stylish cafes and general stores renovated from old buildings, intermingled with traditional fruit shops selling lemons and mandarins, creating a unique retro atmosphere where old and new intersect. If you glance down a side street, you’ll see narrow alleys leading to the sea or mountain views beyond the railway tracks – the charm of this shopping street is that every corner is picturesque.
It’s often crowded with tourists on weekends, and parking lots can fill up. While it’s great to queue at famous shops for Onomichi ramen, intentionally avoiding the crowds and dedicating yourself to a ‘town stroll’ to leisurely walk through the shopping street and feel the local atmosphere is also a wise choice to fully enjoy Onomichi.
Hill of Hope (Kosanji Museum)
📍 Address: 553-2 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-2411, Japan
If you extend your journey a little from Onomichi city center and cross the Shimanami Kaido to Ikuchijima Island (Setoda-cho), a completely different world of breathtaking scenery awaits. ‘Hill of Hope,’ located within the grounds of Kosanji Museum, is a pure white marble garden spanning 5,000 square meters, created by sculptor Ittou Kuetani.
The entire area is covered with marble quarried in Carrara, Italy, giving you the illusion of having wandered into Santorini, Greece, or the Mediterranean. What truly maximizes the charm of this place is ‘light and sky.’ The contrast between the pure white marble and the clear blue sky makes for the ultimate photo spot, but its allure is halved on cloudy days, so a visit on a perfectly clear day is strongly recommended.
The admission fee of 1800 yen for adults might seem a bit high, but this includes access to the entire Kosanji Temple complex. If you also explore the magnificent temple group built by a single wealthy individual out of love for his mother, and the ‘Senbutsudo Jigoku-kyo’ (Thousand Buddhas’ Cave Hell Gorge), which offers a surprisingly authentic cave exploration, you’ll surely experience value and emotion far exceeding the price. On sunny days, the reflection from the marble is very strong, so bringing a parasol or sunglasses will make your visit more comfortable.
Tips for a Deeper Onomichi Experience
The Onomichi area presents entirely different faces in its mountain-side ‘Senkoji Temple vicinity,’ ocean-side ‘shopping street and coastal road,’ and island-side ‘Shimanami Kaido area.’ For short-term day-trippers, the classic route of taking the Senkoji Yama Ropeway to the summit, descending to enjoy the atmosphere of Senkoji Temple and its back alleys, and finally strolling through the shopping street is the most efficient.
If you have more time, renting a bicycle or car to extend your trip to the Hill of Hope on Ikuchijima Island will allow you to experience the contrast between the refreshing Setouchi sea breeze and an overwhelming art space. Onomichi is a town of slopes and stairs. Prepare comfortable walking shoes like sneakers, and consider strategies like slightly shifting your lunch time to avoid crowds, to discover your own unique Onomichi scenery.
