Kaigan Street

Kaigan-dori is a seaside street running parallel to the south side of Onomichi Hon-dori shopping street. Stylish restaurants, cafes, and stores line the street.

Tenneiji (temple)

This is a temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism founded in 1367 by Ashikaga Yoshinori (1330-1367), the second shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. It is also popular for its weeping cherry blossoms and peonies. On the temple grounds is Kaiuntō, a famous 25-meter-high three-storied pagoda with a magnificent view of Onomichi, the Seto […]

Shu 朱

Shukaen, which was the most famous and popular ramen restaurant in Onomichi established in 1947, closed in 2019 after the founder passed away, and the wife of the founder opened Shu to carry on the flavor. The Chinese noodle dish, “chuka soba” at Shu is a wonderful combination of a light soy sauce soup with […]

Senkōji Park

Senkōji Park stretches from the top of 144-meter-high Senkōji Mountain to the mid-slope. From the observatory in the park, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the city of Onomichi, the Seto Inland Sea, and the islands, with the evening view being particularly spectacular. On a clear day, the mountains of Shikoku can be seen in […]

Senkō-ji (temple)

Senkoji Temple, founded in 806, is a Shingon sect of Buddhism and a symbol of Onomichi. The founder was the most famous monk in Japan, Kōbō Daishi (saint) or Kūkai (monk). Midway up the mountain on a cliff top, the vermilion-lacquered main hall constructed using the overhang method, or butaizukuri, and the same vermilion-lacquered dragon […]

Onomichi Ekimae Tosen

Hanu-tei

Renovated from an old traditional building is this Japanese style café. Inside, a 150-year-old tea house still remains. Partake in delicious sweets, tea, or coffee in the elegant garden with beautiful seasonal flowers and plants such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, or enjoy them in the tatami room. From the window seats in the […]

Onomichi Hon-dori Shopping Street

This arcade shopping street stretches about 1.5 km east of JR Onomichi Station and has a retro feel. Most of the approximately 300 stores are nothing special, but there are more than a few cool general stores, hip cafes, and stores where you can buy and eat Onomichi’s original souvenirs and food.

Cat’s Narrow Path—neko no hosomichi

Onomichi is also famous for its cats. Onomichi is said to be a cat-friendly place because “residents take good care of their cats,” “many slopes and narrow alleys are safe from cars,” and “it is easy to get fish because it is a fishing port. If you are a cat lover, you should visit the […]

TsutaFuji

TsutaFuji is a small and cozy restaurant with only 11 seats at the counter, but it is popular with a continuous line of customers on holidays. Their chuka-soba soup is made from pork bones and seafood, and is especially rich in flavor from small dried sardines. Toppings include plenty of pork back fat, chashu pork, […]