Onomichi Walking Tour
Onomichi is a charming seaside town known for its nostalgic atmosphere and scenic hillside views.
Stone steps, narrow lanes, and historic temples create a unique townscape perfect for leisurely walks.
The Shimanami Kaido cycling route starts here, offering spectacular bridges and island scenery across the Seto Inland Sea.
Cozy cafés, local sweets, and art spots add to Onomichi’s relaxed and creative vibe.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Hiroshima JR station (North/Shinkansen Exit) or Onomichi/Fukuyama JR station
- Hiroshima JR station: In front of a Tourist Information (Seven-Eleven Side) ***You can also start and end the tour at Onomichi or Fukuyama Station. In that case, the tour will be shorter (about 7 hours instead of 9), and the tour price will be lower.
Onomichi Hondori-Shopping Street
Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street is a 1.2 km long street stretching east from the Fumiko statue in front of JR Onomichi Station. Hondori Shopping Street is made up of six shopping streets and is lined with nearly 300 stores. It is bustling with many events every month, such as the "Saturday Night Shops" and "Tanabata Decorations" in the summer and the "Onomichi Festival" in the fall.
Ushitora Shrine
Ushitora Shrine is said to be the oldest Shinto shrine in Onomichi. The camphor tree in the grounds, as old as 900 years of age and with a circumference of 7 meters, is designated a Natural Monument. The premises were the setting for the films The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Chizuko’s Younger Sister, and more recently were featured in the anime TV series Kamichu!
Cat Alley (Noko no Hosomichi)
In 1997 Shunji Sonoyama, a French artist, found inspiration in a few abandoned sloping streets winding their way through Onomichi. The area known as Ihatov is filled with quirky art galleries, garden cafes, sake bars and “fukuishi neko” (lucky stone cats). Shunji Sonoyama hand painted 108 of these stone cats each unique with different expressions. Visitors can find these feline statues on fences, in trees, on roofs and within the cafes. It is believed you will receive good fortune if you stroke their heads 3 times.
Senkoji-Temple
Senkoji Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Onomichi. The temple is located halfway up Mt. Taiho and is said to have been built about 1,200 years ago. The vermilion-lacquered main hall, also known as the “red hall,” is said to be unique in its beauty and has been preserved in many postcards and photographs since ancient times. The Senkoji ropeway, which departs from the foot of the mountain, is a convenient way to get to Senkoji. It takes about three minutes to reach the mountainside where Senkoji Temple is located.
Lunch or Cafe Stop
Onomichi City Museum
Onomichi City Museum opened in Senkō-ji Park in 1980 and it reopened to a design by Tadao Ando in 2003. The museum contains artworks by artists connected to the city, such as Guilin-in Hirata and Wasaku Kobayashi, as well as artworks by well known foreign artists such as French painter Georges Rouault.
Onomichi U2
ONOMICHI U2 opened in March 2014. The building, a former shipping warehouse known as Prefectural Warehouse Uwaya No.2, was fully renovated and given a new lease of life. Based on the design concept of “a small town inside a city,” the facility boasts a hotel, restaurant, bar, café, bakery, lifestyle shop and a cycling store all under one roof. The name U2 comes from combining the ‘U’ and the ‘2’ from the original name of the building.
Ending Point
Hiroshima Station
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Guiding fee
-Guide's transportation from home to the meet-up place and backward (2300 yen)
-Transportation during the tour: public transportation and metered taxi ***We use Shinkansen (bullet train) from Hiroshima to Fukuyama and JR local line from Fukuyama and Onomichi. It costs approximately 5,000 yen.
-Lunch (incl. snacks & beverages on the way)
-Facility admission fees: Onomichi City Museum (310 yen per adult),
Note*: Please cover the necessary transportation (bullet train from Hiroshima to Fukuyama and also JR local train from Fukuyama and Onomichi) and facility admission fees for the guide during the tour (Guides are almost free of charge at almost all destinations in Hiroshima).
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
You can also take the ropeway up to Senkoji Temple, but even though it’s a bit challenging and takes more time, I recommend walking up the steps.
However, for guests who are not confident about their mobility, we will use the ropeway. In that case, the tour may be slightly shorter depending on the timing.
Important message from the supplier
Weekdays are basically available.
Weekends are also available upon request, though, family matters are prioritized.
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
About Tour Guide Keiko K.
Hello, welcome to my profile! I'm Keiko (Kay). As a national certified guide deeply passionate about the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of this area, I am eager to share these experiences with you. With over 16 years of experience living abroad, mostly in Europe, I've had the privilege of immersing myself in diverse cultures and meeting incredible people from around the world. I'm sociable, outgoing and love making new connections wherever I go.
I'm also very active, enjoying sports like badminton, biking, jogging, and dancing, especially zumba and salsa. On top of that, I've been playing the piano for over *xx years, a passion that brings balance to my life. (The reason XX is simply because I hesitate to disclose my age...)
Health and nutrition are important to me, as is the same to everyone, and I love exploring new ways to stay healthy and enjoy good food!
Our itinerary will take us through some of the most iconic landmarks, as well as a few hidden gems that only locals know about. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient architecture, indulging in the local cuisine, or learning about the fascinating history that has shaped this place, I am here to tailor the tour to your interests.
Would I be a good fit for your company here in Hiroshima?
Warm regards,
Keiko(Kay)
Reviews
Jesus G.
“The best of the best ”
Our day with Kay in Hiroshima and Miyajima was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. From the very beginning, Kay was incredibly professional, friendly, and attentive. Her itinerary was perfectly organized, with excellent timing throughout the day, allowing us to enjoy every place without ever feeling rushed. Every detail had clearly been carefully planned. What made the experience truly exceptional was Kay herself. She is deeply knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about Japanese history and culture, and you can see how much she enjoys sharing it with her guests. She explained everything with enthusiasm, patience, and warmth, making every visit even more meaningful. Kay also went far beyond what we expected. She stayed with us until the very end, helping us with the station lockers, checking into our hotel, and even making sure we got to the right restaurant. Her kindness and dedication made us feel completely looked after throughout the entire day. If you are looking for a guide in Hiroshima, don’t hesitate for a second—book Kay. She is exceptional, and we couldn’t recommend her more highly. Thank you, Kay, for giving us such a memorable and unforgettable day. We will always remember Hiroshima and Miyajima with great affection because of you.
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and wonderful review! It truly means a lot to me. From the very moment we met, seeing all of you smiling and waving so enthusiastically made me feel as if I was meeting old friends again. It was such a warm and happy start to the day. Thank you as well for sharing the photo we took together on Miyajima. Spending the day with your lovely family was a real pleasure. The summer heat was intense, but thanks to all of you, I had such a fun and memorable time. I’m also looking forward to seeing your little model grow up one day!! Please come back to Hiroshima again someday. I’d love to see you all again! Hugs, Kay
Amy K.
“Best day in Hiroshima”
Kay was an amazing guide for our multi generational family. She helped us navigate a packed itinerary very smoothly which was so appreciated at the tail end of our trip to Japan and on a very hot day. She is full of knowledge and answered all of our questions all day long. Grandparents and teenagers agreed that she was a highlight of our trip and we are so grateful to have had her as a guide in Hiroshima and Miyajima.
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review so quickly! It was a very hot and humid day today, but I was truly happy to meet such a wonderful family. We were also lucky that the tide at Miyajima was low enough for us to walk all the way out to the Great Torii Gate. If the weather had been cooler, I would have loved to show you even more places, but we’ll save those for your next visit. I hope to see you again in Hiroshima someday! Wishing you a safe travel back to Canada. Warmest regards, Kay
Ali J.
“Incredible Tour”
Our tour of Hiroshima was one of the most meaningful experiences of our trip, and we owe so much of that to our wonderful guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and engaging, bringing the city's history to life with a level of care and respect that made a lasting impression on all of us. She struck the perfect balance between sharing the heartbreaking history of Hiroshima and highlighting the city's incredible resilience, beauty, and hope for the future. Her stories and insights gave us a much deeper appreciation for the places we visited than we could have gained on our own. Throughout the day, she was patient, attentive, and always made sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the experience. She answered every question with enthusiasm and provided fascinating details that truly enriched the tour. If you're planning a visit to Hiroshima, we cannot recommend her highly enough. She is an exceptional guide who is passionate about her city and genuinely cares about giving her guests an unforgettable experience. Thanks to her, our visit to Hiroshima will remain one of the most memorable parts of our journey through Japan.
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Keiko K.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and kind review. I hope you and your family have arrived home safely in the United States and have had a chance to relax after your trip. Thank you again for spending time with me in Hiroshima. One of my favorite memories is seeing your four children enjoying their okonomiyaki with such big smiles!!! I was also deeply grateful that even your younger, low-teen child took the time to carefully experience the Peace Memorial Museum without turning away from its difficult exhibits. I truly appreciate the respect and openness your family showed during your visit. Next time, I hope you'll be able to stay overnight in Hiroshima so you can explore the city at a more relaxed pace. I would be delighted to welcome you back and hope to see you again someday! Warmest regards, Kay
$407/ per group
More tours by Keiko K.
Hiroshima City Tour Highlights (4.5 Hours)
Hiroshima is a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. As you explore, don't miss these must-see sites that capture the spirit of the city. This tour includes Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, Shukkeien (a stunning Japanese garden), and Hiroshima Castle known as "Carp Castle". These sites are a glimpse of what Hiroshima has to offer. The tour is flexible, allowing you to tailor the experience by adding destinations that capture your interest.
Hiroshima City Tour Highlights (4.5 Hours)
A UNESCO World Heritages Tour in Hiroshima (7-8 Hours)
This tour includes two UNESCO World heritages: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima island:Itsukushima Shrine, Five Storied Pagoda, Senjokaku, Daiganji Temple or Daishoin-Temple, and Omotesando shopping street. ※Depending on the situation, I may add Orizuru Tower to the itinerary, since Peace Museum may not be suitable for small children. Note: To maximize our tour, I would recommend using a fast boat at least once from or to Miyajima island during this tour.
A UNESCO World Heritages Tour in Hiroshima (7-8 Hours)
Miyajima Full-Day Tour
Discover the beauty and culture of Miyajima island on a full-day tour. Explore the iconic Itsukushima Shrine with its famous floating Torii gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through peaceful forests to the Daisho-in Temple, and take a scenic hike or cable car to the top of Mount Misen for breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea. Experience local cuisine while exploring the charming streets. This immersive tour offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and culture!
Miyajima Full-Day Tour
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