JP · Hiroshima Prefecture · 34.42°N 133.20°E

onomichi

Hillside temple lanes, harbour cafés and the start of the Shimanami cycle route.

Best time
April–May and October–November are comfortable for walking and cycling. June is rainy, July–August is hot, and winter brings cool sea winds.
How long
1–2 days, plus 1–2 for the cycle route
Getting there
Fly from KL to Osaka Kansai (about 6.5 hours). Take the shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Fukuyama (about an hour), then a local train to Onomichi (about 20 minutes). Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Hiroshima Prefectureonomichi34.42°N 133.20°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Hillside temple lanes, harbour cafés and the start of the Shimanami cycle route.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingOnomichiJP, Hiroshima Prefecture
KLonomichi
≈ 4,764 km from KL, as the crow flies
A view of the precincts of Jodo-ji temple, located in Onomichi City, Hiroshima, Japan. (From left to right) Hon-do (Main Hall) (National treasure of Japan), Amida-do (Japan's national important cultur

Photo: by Reggaeman · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A port town squeezed between steep hills and a narrow channel, with temples and old houses up winding lanes. It's also where the Shimanami Kaido starts: a cycle route of about 70 km across bridges and islands to Shikoku.

Makan

  1. Onomichi ramenSoy broth and flat noodles with bits of pork back fat floating on top.Map ↗
  2. Island citrusLemons from Ikuchijima and the other islands, in cakes, drinks and ice cream.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Senko-jiA temple on the hill above town, reached by ropeway, with views over the channel and islands.Map ↗
  2. Temple WalkA path linking 25 temples along the hillside, through narrow lanes and the cat-filled Cat Alley.Map ↗
  3. Shimanami KaidoRent a bike in town, take the ferry to Mukaishima and ride across the islands. You can drop the bike at rental points along the way.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Cyclists cross to Mukaishima by ferry; the first road bridge isn't a good bike crossing.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.