1. Senkoji Park
Senkō-ji is the best known and most impressive of Onomichi's temples. Among its features is the kyō-onrō, a bell tower whose bell always rings in the new year – the sound of this bell is registered as one of the '100 soundscapes of Japan'. The temple appears almost grown into the hillside, with views out to sea, and is reachable on the historic temple walk (after a steep 15- to 25-minute hike for most) or by the Senkō-ji-yama Ropeway.
1 hour
2. Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art
Hirayama Ikuo was one of Japan's most famous painters, working in the traditional Japanese Nihonga style. The Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art (平山郁夫美術館, Hirayama Ikuo Bijutsukan) is located on Ikuchijima Island, where the artist was born in 1930. Hirayama passed away in 2009.
Many of the themes in Hirayama's work have persisted throughout his entire career. One is the concept of peace. Hirayama was a student in Hiroshima in 1945, and as such witnessed the destruction of the bomb and suffered from the effects of radiation. Another of his recurring themes was the cultural exchanges within the Orient, particularly the transmission of Buddhism to Japan.
The Hirayama Museum is quite modern and well kept. There are three spacious exhibition halls, a tea lounge, and a museum shop. A variety of Hirayama's work from throughout his career are kept as part of the museum's permanent collection, and there are also special exhibitions.
1 hour
3. Tatara Bridge
Tatara Bridge, with the center span of 890 m long, is the second longest span cable stayed bridge in the world.
Suspension bridge was planned at the first stage; however, the bridge type was reviewed considering the preservation of surrounding nature and economical condition of the work, against the background of the technical progress of cable stayed bridges.
The height of the tower is 226 m above the seawater level, and this is the highest point in the route.
Tatara Bridge formed a sister bridge alliance with Normandy Bridge in France which is the third longest cable stayed bridge in the world.
1 hour
4. Neko no Hosomichi
Neko no Hosomichi goes on for about 200m from the eastern side of Ushitora Shrine to the three-floor pagoda of Tennei-ji Temple. The area was given its name due to the many Fukuishi Cats (stones with cats painted on them) left there. The cats were painted by Shunji Sonoyama, an artist who lives in Onomichi. In the area, there is also the Maneki-neko Museum where you can enjoy the scene of “cats and Onomichi”.
5. 尾道商店街
Hiroshima has a bustling downtown area, the main feature of which is Hondori Street. Hondori is a pedestrian arcade that is closed to traffic and lined with shops and restaurants. It starts near the Peace Park and stretches east about half a kilometer. Running parallel to Hondori is Aioidori (Aioi Street), the main street used by cars and trams. Along Aioi Street stand a few large department stores where more shopping can be found.
While in the downtown area, visitors to Hiroshima may want to take the opportunity to try one of Hiroshima's specialties: Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki. Many restaurants along both Hondori and Aioi streets offer the local specialty, but the surest place to find it is in Okonomimura.
Usually translated as Okonomiyaki Village, Okonomimura is a small area just south of the eastern end of Hondori. As its name implies, it is devoted to okonomiyaki. Okonomimura has many different restaurants to choose from, and is a convenient place in the downtown area to take a break and grab a bite.
1 hour
6. Kosanji Temple
Kosanji Temple (耕三寺, Kōsanji) is located on Ikuchijima Island and belongs to the True Pure Land Sect of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was founded in 1936 by a successful businessman who was inspired by his devotion to his mother. The construction of the temple took more than 30 years. If visitors to the temple are surprised by a strong feeling of deja vu, it is because many of the buildings are modeled after some of Japan's most famous temple buildings.
The replicas of famous buildings at Kosanji are quite impressive, including copies of Nikko Toshogu's Yomeimon Gate and Byodoin's Phoenix Hall. The complex of buildings at the temple are on the whole colorful and varied, while still retaining a coherent style. Another highlight of the temple is a long cave in which a series of images are displayed that illustrate the tortures of Buddhist hell.
1 hour
7. Innoshima Bridge
With a total length of 1270 meters, Innoshima Bridge connects Mukaishima Island with Innoshima Island, and is one of the bridges that forms Shimanami Kaido. At its foot on the Innoshima Island side, you’ll find Innoshima Bridge Memorial Park.
1 hour
8. Mukaishima
Today we'll cross over to Mukaishima Island from Innoshima Island. Mukaishima is the sixth island from Imabari City. The main island, Honshu, is so close! We had planned just to cycle around Mukaishima Island, but since Onomichi is right there, I'll lengthen our course a bit and take the short ferry over.
1 hour
9. Tenneiji Temple
This temple was built by Yoshiakira Ashikaga, the second shogun in the Muromachi Period, in 1367 and founded by Fumyo Kokushi. It has a pagoda called Kaiun Pagoda, an important cultural property, and a group of 500 arhats line the Rakan Hall on the left side of the main hall. Weeping cherry blossoms in the beginning of April and peonies at the end of April are things you should not miss.
1 hour
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