Major city · Japan
Onomichi尾道
Give Onomichi one night, two if you ride the Shimanami Kaido: the temple walk takes half a day, the bike route takes a full one.
Onomichi is a small port on the Seto Inland Sea, built up a hillside of temples with a ropeway to the viewpoint and a 70 km bike route to Shikoku starting at the harbour. Most travellers see it as a half-day stop between Hiroshima and Okayama; it earns a night if you want the temple loop at walking pace or an early start on the Shimanami Kaido. It is quiet, cheap and walkable, and the station is on the San'yo Main Line, not the Shinkansen.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airports
- HIJ · OKJ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Onomichi110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Onomichi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyOnomichi is a quiet, low-crime town and safe to walk at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHIJ Hiroshima Airport (Shuttle bus to Onomichi, about 80 min (check)).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: station to ropeway about 15 min on foot, and the Old Temple Loop is a 2 km (1.2 mi) east–west walk.The centre is walkable: station to ropeway about 15 min on foot, and the Old Temple Loop is a 1.2 mi (2 km) east–west walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealOnomichi ramen¥500–900 (≈ US$4–7)
- Beerdraught / can at a convenience store¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride¥170–510 (≈ US$2–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple entry (Jodoji garden, Saikokuji hall)¥400–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HIJ Hiroshima Airport (Shuttle bus to Onomichi, about 80 min (check)) · OKJ Okayama Airport (Rail via Okayama, then the San'yo Main Line; check connections)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Dec (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Onomichi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: station to ropeway about 15 min on foot, and the Old Temple Loop is a 2 km east–west walk. A local bus runs from outside JR Onomichi Station to the ropeway and Jodoji-shita. Ferries to Mukaishima and the islands leave from the harbour beside the station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shimanami Kaido to Imabari
goDoor to door: Full day, or overnight on the islands
Rent a bike at the harbour, ride the island chain; return by ferry or bus
70 km (43 mi) end to end; ride one or two islands and turn back if you are not fit.43 mi (70 km) end to end; ride one or two islands and turn back if you are not fit.
Mukaishima
goDoor to door: About 10 min including the crossing
Shuttle ferry from the harbour beside the station
Two-minute crossing; a short ride or walk on the far side.
Hiroshima
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
JR San'yo Main Line, or Shinkansen from Shin-Onomichi
Easy as a day trip in either direction.
Mihara
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
JR San'yo Main Line eastbound
A rail stop, not a destination in itself.
Fukuyama
goDoor to door: About 40 min
JR San'yo Main Line eastbound
Shinkansen connection and a castle; useful for a half day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Station and harbour area
Walk to the ropeway, the temple loop and the ferry piers; best for one night with bags.
Seafront near Hotel Cycle
Water-side rooms and the bike-hire base; 10 min on foot from the station.
Hillside above the temple loop
Small inns with sea views; steep lanes and steps, so pack light.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–18,000 (≈ US$75–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥15,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥13,000 | ¥26,000 |
| Mt. Senkoji Ropeway, round trip2 × ¥700 | ¥1,400 |
| Mukaishima ferry, one way on foot2 × ¥100 | ¥200 |
| Bike hire for the Shimanami Kaido, one day2 × ¥2,000 · check | ¥4,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥5,160 |
| Trip total≈ ¥28,380 per person per day, bed included | ¥56,760≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in yen; travel to Onomichi excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Onomichi ramen | ¥500–900 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught / can at a convenience store | ¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Temple entry (Jodoji garden, Saikokuji hall) | ¥400–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ropeway, one way / round trip | ¥500 (≈ US$4) / ¥700 (≈ US$5) |
| Local bus ride | ¥170–510 (≈ US$2–4) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Shin-Onomichi is the Shinkansen station, 15–20 min by bus from the centre; only all-stops Kodama trains stop there.
- The temple lanes are steep with steps and few handrails; wear shoes with grip.
- The covered arcade is shared with cyclists, scooters and cars: look before you step out.
- Ramen shops are small and close early; the famous ones can queue at lunch.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Onomichi尾道
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Onomichi; most are in Tokyo, with consulates-general in Osaka and Hiroshima (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shin-Onomichi → city centre bus: ¥170 (≈ US$2), 15–20 min
- Onomichi → Hiroshima, JR: about ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14), 1.5–2 h (check)
- Mukaishima ferry, on foot: ¥100 (≈ under US$1) one way, 2 min
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Tourist information counters: one at the Shimanami Koryu-kan by JR Onomichi Station, one at the ropeway station (check hours).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Onomichi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HIJ: shuttle times field-checked, rail fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and arcade, ropeway and Senko-ji, the temple loop, the harbour and ferry piers.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Senko-ji, Jodoji, Saikokuji, the art museum) and ramen pages with last orders.
- Shimanami Kaido fixture: hire desks, ferry times and a bail-out plan at each island.