Along with the old-fashioned houses on the mountain, you can enjoy the ancient hills and the picturesque Seto Inland Sea scenery. It has become popular since it has been used as the settings for famous Japanese films and anime. Take a walk as you enjoy the hill roads, temples and cuisine. Finding out about the local tourism is easy since there is a tourist information office at Onomichi Station.
Senkō-ji is a temple representing Onomichi on top of a small hill. From the temple grounds, there is a commanding view of Onomichi, the Seto Inland Sea and its islands. After visiting the temple, take a walk through Senkō-ji Park. You can take the ropeway to head up to the temple and come down gradually by walking down the slope so that you can enjoy the feeling of Onomichi as the “town of slopes”.
Neko no Hosomichi is a lane that stretches from the east of Ushitora Shrine to the three-floor pagoda of Tennei-ji Temple. Scattered along the alley are adorable fukuishi-neko (lucky stone cats). You can view this Onomichi-esque scene that is said to have a lot of cats. The area also has the small Maneki-neko Museum so if you have some time, why don’t you drop in?
Senkō-ji Shinmichi has come to symbolize Onomichi, a town of slopes that has been the setting for many movies. Old houses line this narrow hill road where the former residences of literary masters remain, so take a walk here while touring the famous sites and temples. After coming down the hill, head for Onomichi Station and have lunch around the station.
The famous dish of Onomichi ramen has a light-tasting soup that makes use of the seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. Lots of ramen shops can be found in the Onomichi Station area where the dish can be found easily so lunch is recommended here.