A small port town for Studio Ghibli's " Ponyo on the Cliff"
Joined 2017
The attractions of this nostalgic port town named " Tomonoura" are within distances from the bus stop and it's comfortable walking. You may be surprised to see KUBIZUKA( the mound for severed head ) is among old houses where people live their every day life. In this small fishing town, life and death coexist naturally. Time is passing slowly in this town.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Fukuyama Station
many photogenic streets lined by rustic old houses
A stroll along the bay is refreshing
Ending Point
Fukuyama Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee , transportation fee ( guide ), lunch ( guide ), entrance fee ( guide )
transportation fee ( you ), lunch ( you ), entrance fee ( you )
Tour Important Information
Have you seen enough temples and shrines? How about spending a relaxing time in a small town that preserves a historic atmosphere? Tomonoura is a port town at the southern end of Fukuyama city, Hiroshima prefecture. Located at a bay facing the Seto Inland Sea, the picturesque fishing port town has a calm and laid-back atmosphere. Tomonoura is a part of the Setonaikai National Park, which has been picked as a filming location for movies such as " The Wolveine" starring Hugh Jackman and " Ponyo on the Cliff" by the popular Studio Ghibli. We visit there by bus which runs from Fukuyama Station every 20 minutes. Fukuyama Station is on the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. Direct Sakura and Nozomi shinkansen trains connect Hiroshima / Shin -Osaka to Fukuyama Station, costing about 4420/ 7340 JPY one way. The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the trip on Sakura trains but not on Nozomi trains.
bus fare (from Fukuyama to Tomonoura ): 550 JPY
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2017
About Tour Guide Azusa A.
Hello, my name is Azusa Arita. I'm a licensed tour guide in English. I think there is no big difference between what Japan is today and what you see about Japan in manga, except " Naruto." ( Sorry but Ninjya is no longer exist.) Japan is a two -faced society, a society of modern technology and that of tradition. That's why it seems mysterious and difficult to understand. Hiroshima is a good place to experience the both aspects of Japan. Do you know the darkness in which you 'll be a new person, or the special way you can gain the same amount of wisdom written in Buddhist scriptures at one time?
Let's go and find the answers to these mysteries in Hiroshima. I'll make sure you have a great time in this tour.
Reviews
“Thank you Azusa ”
Your time with us today was most appreciated, wishing you and your family well, sincerely Phoebe
Azusa A.
Dear Phoebe-san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and kind message. I had a great time meeting you all! You are a vibrant and caring family. I was surprised you are not tired after climbing a mountain for 6 hours each way. Please enjoy the nature of Japan! And I do wish you all the best and I enjoyed knowing you. Azusa
“Wonderful guide!”
We absolutely loved Azusa! Besides her detailed knowledge of the city and its history and the very interesting pieces of information she gave us, her wonderful sense of humor and general personality were highly appreciated by the group. This in addition of course to her very good English skills. Very highly recommended!
Azusa A.
Dear Ziad-san, I appreciate your high evaluation and the lovely comment. That encourages me a lot. It was a great day for me too! I could sense that everyone in your group was comfortable traveling and deeply trusted you. The warm atmosphere of your group made me enjoy guiding them while telling silly jokes. Japanese people are always considered serious, but I hope visitors can see that we are more comical than they might think. Please come to Japan as many times as you like, because I want people in your country to know more about Japan! I wish you all good health. Azusa
“Great tour of Miyajima Island!”
Azusa guided my son and I on a day tour of Miyajima Island, and she was excellent. All the logistics were smooth and exactly as planned, and her detailed knowledge of the area allowed us to move from point to point efficiently. On Miyajima itself Azusa took exactly as much time for each attraction/observation that we desired. I highly recommend taking a day trip to Miyajima if you are in the Hiroshima area, and would recommend Azusa to anyone!
Azusa A.
Dear Keith-san, I really appreciate the wonderful review. You both may be surprised to learn that Japanese summer is very humid. You may have been tired, moving from spot to spot under that hot weather. But you are very lucky to have visited Miyajima Island on the day of Itsukushima Shrine's special annual ritual. I think God's blessings were many times greater. And I was very impressed with the way you and your son cared for each other. May your trip to Japan be a long and memorable one for both of you. Good luck! Azusa
$139/ per group
More tours by Azusa A.
Half Day in Miyajima
Meet at JR Hiroshima Station or your hotel → JR MIyajimaguchi Station → Miyajimaguchi Ferry Port → Miyajima Island → Isukushima Shrine → Daisho-in Temple →Miyajima Ferry Port → JR Miyajimaguchi Station → JR Hiroshima Station or your hotel
Hiroshima Peace Park and Shukkeien Japanese style garden
Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of Hiroshima, city of peace. It stands out in Hiroshima Peace Park which is now filled with lush greenery and various plants. This is the place we would like people all over the world to visit. Here you'll see the regeneration power of nature and humans.
All day in Miyajima Island
This tour covers all the attractive places to see in Miyajima island. We visit Itsukushima Shrine, Mt. Misen and Daishyoin Temple in one day. Mt. Misen is very high, so we should use aerial ropeway. We may walk for a long time, so please wear comfortable clothes on the day.
Himeji Castle and Toy Museum
We visit Himeji Castle and a roofed shopping arcade in Himeji. In the afternoon we move to Koro town by JR train to visit " Toy Museum." It takes about twenty minutes from Himeji to Koro by train.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Hiroshima
Full-day Hiroshima/Miyajima tour with Local certified guide
This is full day tour stops 2 UNESCO’s world cultural heritage site Miyajima island and Atomic Bob Dome in Hiroshima city. Taking public transportation and walking, you can enjoy and feel atmosphere of the city.
Hiroshima Classical Walking Tour
A lovely relaxed half-day tour where we’ll share a comfortable three-stage walking tour as we stroll through Hiroshima’s classical Japanese landscaped gardens. Visit Hiroshima Castle and explore the interior Museum, before a tour of the fascinating modern history of Hiroshima including the A-Bomb Dome, and Peace Memorial Park.
One-day Shimose Museum and Miyajima Island
Gorgeous tour visiting both Miyajima, a World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful art museums in the world (Prix Versailles 2024 Award), the Shimose Art Museum by the sea.
One day World Heritage Tour ~short version~
Hiroshima has 2 world heritage sites, Atomic bomb dome and Miyajima island. Hiroshima is the first city where Atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. Atomic bomb dome is the symbol of " No More Hiroshima" Please visit here and study what happened to Hiroshima. Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, has long been regarded as a sacred island on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea.
