Onomichi: Getting there and around

Onomichi is a small town whose center can be comfortably explored by foot. The town was built on a series of hills, so that walking between sites often involves going up or down slopes.

Onomichi has two main train stations: Onomichi Station, which is served by local JR trains, and Shin-Onomichi Station, which is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen. Onomichi Station is located at the western end of the downtown area, and Shin-Onomichi Station is located about three kilometers north of Onomichi Station. Traveling between the stations can be done by bus (15 minutes, 190 yen, every 15-30 minutes) or by taxi (10 minutes, 1400-1800 yen).

Two cycling terminals of the Shimanami Kaido are located about 150 meters from Onomichi Station: a regular one in a parking lot just west of the Green Hill Hotel on the waterfront and the Giant Onomichi shop beside the parking lot in the Onomichi U2 complex.

There are two short ferry services that provide frequent connections between central Onomichi and the neighboring Mukaishima Island. The one way ride costs 60-100 yen per person plus 10 yen for a bicycle.

There are also longer ferry lines to other islands along the Shimanami Kaido, including one to Setoda Port (40 minutes, 1300 yen one way, 8 boats/day), which provides access to the Hirayama Museum and Kosanji Temple. See the Shimanami Kaido page for more details about other ferry lines.