Onomichi

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Synopsis

Extremely popular for its Ramen, Onomichi is a modest, old-fashioned port town that is home to some elegant temples and literature museums. Noted film director Nobuhiko Obayashi was born here and the town has often been featured in a plethora of celebrated Japanese movies. One of the major reasons why this place is a popular day trip option from Hiroshima City is because of Senko-ji temple walk. With some 25 beautiful temples unobtrusively standing in the hills behind the town, this trail has mesmerised travellers since time immemorial. The dizzyingly steep stairways dotted with elusive cats only add to the thrill of adventure. And then there is more in store for cat lovers in the form of the eccentric Maneki-neko Museum.
Fringed by the Seto Inland Sea, this Hiroshima Prefectural settlement serves as the base for travellers who intend to cycle through the 60 km long chain of bridges known as the Shimanami Kaido and go island hopping from Honshu to the tiny Shikoku. You will ideally have to rent a bike and pay bridge tolls for the same. Located on the main JR San-yo line that is east of Hiroshima City, travelling to Onomichi should take about 90 minutes. The journey should cost you around 1500 Yen and if in case you have a JR Pass, you pay nothing.