You can make a day trip to Onomichi from two cities: Hiroshima and Okayama. Both of these are major cities with many Shinkansen Bullet trains arriving daily from Osaka and Tokyo. After visiting Korakuen Garden in Okayama, we decided to explore and experience all this city has to offer – from incredible views to one of the most picturesque harbours, here is everything you must see and do in Onomichi!
Onomichi in Hiroshima
Onomichi is located along the Seto Inland Sea in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture. You’ll find narrow and winding slopes and alleyways, impressive old temples and so many pretty cats in this port town with such a long history. Onomichi boasts a warm, Seto Inland Sea climate and its quaint port town atmosphere which has been the filming location for numerous movies and television dramas.
Take the Onomichi Temple Walk
Onomichi offers the Temple Walk, strolling along slopes to visit over 20 temples. You can make a grip jizo, a guardian deity of children, at Jikoji Temple which is one of the nearest temples from Onomichi Station. A priest gave us a handful of clay and instruction on how to create our own grip jizo. Our grip jizo statues became surreal and unique and I put them under a tree in my small garden.
The Best View: Mount Senkoji Ropeway
For those looking to get out and try something outdoors, the Mount Senkoji Ropeway will lead you into the mountains for a spectacular view, especially at sunset. When we went back to the Onomichi Station from the top of Mount Senkoji, we took the Senkoji Shindo stairs which were lined with wooden houses in their traditional state.
Check it Out: Kurashiki in Okayama
Of course, a trip to Onomichi would not be complete without visiting one of the Seto Inland Sea’s most popular destinations: Kurashiki. Located approximately 20 minutes Shinkansen Bullet train ride out of Onomichi, this old town has become a destination in itself for visitors, thanks to its’ rich museum, culture and history.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is as pretty as a postcard. The white-black houses that line the canal have been preserved since the Edo Period, when the city served as an important point along the distribution route of rice. Large amounts of rice were brought to Kurashiki and stored there in storehouses before being shipped to Osaka and Edo. Unlike bigger Japanese cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, the benefit of visiting small cities in regional areas is that you get an almost untouched view of history as it has survived over the years.
The Ohara Museum of Art
The Ohara Museum of Art was founded in 1930 as the first museum of Western art collected by Ohara Magosaburo, the textile tycoon in the Meiji Period. 
