Along a coast dimpled with inlets and studded with promontories, Fukuyama (Tomo no Ura), Onomichi and Mihara are set in a row. The Kodama shinkansen stops at all of these stations, but in summer or fall you can take a cruise that links Tomo and Onomichi - a much more scenic mode of travel. Weaving between the islands of the Seto Inland Sea is an experience not many will forget. But even if you don't choose shipboard travel you can still appreciate a spectacular view. From the top of either Mt. Senkoji in Onomichi or Mt. Fudekake in Mihara at night,



from Hiroshima Airport
Onomichi station : About 60 min. by limousine (nonstop)
About 35 min. to the Takasaka bus center by limousine bus. About 37 min. from the Takasaka bus center by expressway bus.
Takehara station : About 35 min. by shared-taxi (carrying 9 passengers).
About 40 min. to JR Mihara station by limousine bus. About 29 min. to JR Mihara station by JR Kure line
Fukuyama station : About 60 min. by s limousine bus
Mihara station : About 40 min. by a limousine bus
 
Onomichi city

Nostalgic streets and scenery in the Seto Inland Sea
Nostalgic town with the sloping roads made of stone steps and the narrow alleys
You can select to look for locations of the movies or to visit the old shrines and temples

This town is located along the narrow Onomichi-suido and has been developed by the marine transport since old times. There is the Senkoji Temple behind the urban area. The narrow slope roads lead to the temple. There is the landscape that attracted the novelists such as Fumiko Hayashi or Naoya Shiga there. Many people visit the old temples such as Senkoji Temple and Jodo Temple, the "Literature path" to route the literature monument or literature museum, and also locations of Obayashi works recently.

 Takehara city

Agi, Little Kyoto which has flourished by salt garden.
Long roof tiles and plaster walls
Houses with lattices decorated variously
You can feel the nostalgia walking on the street

Takehara has flourished by salt garden in the Edo period. Sanyo Rai, Confucian scholar and Masataka Taketsuru called "Father of Japanese whisky" were born. In the section to preserve the street, the streets in the later Edo period are left as they are. Big houses of Matsuzaka House or Yoshii House are left on the Honcho Street. You can see the curious architecture style there. Yusaka hot spring valley is in the northern area of city. Okuno Island of vacation village entirely is in the Seto Inland Sea.
Mukaishima town

Town of oranges and orchids which is located in the other side of Onomichi
To Mukaishima town which has the Orchid Center and locations for movie by taking a connecting vessel over Onomichi-suido

Mukaishima is located in the other side across Onomichi. This town is linked with Onomichi by the Onomichi Big Bridge and Shin-Onomichi Big Bridge. But we recommend using a romantic connecting vessel. This town was used for a location of movie shoot by Nobuhiko Obayashi, movie director. You can visit the back lot and locations of movies. Oranges and orchids are main industry of this town. There are "Mukaishima Orchids center" and "Tachibana Shizen Katsuyo Village".

 Innoshima city

Historic and romantic island where the Murakami Suigun was once active
Now this town changed to the orange town into which the "Shimanaki-Kaido" passes
Base of Murakami Suigun that dominated the Seto Inland Sea in the Muromachi period and The Age of Civil Wars

Island of Murakami Suigun which dominated the strategic spots in the Seto Inland Sea from the Muromachi to The Age of Civil Wars. The family temple and recovered Suigun Castle shows its history. "Innoshima Suigun Festival" is held in August. You can enjoy the views of Seto Inland Sea, Innoshima Big Bridge and Ikuchi Bridge. This island is the birthplace of Hassaku orange and famous for other oranges and insect flowers.
Fukuyama city

Town with Tomonoura, Fukuyama Castle which is famous for cherry blossoms and rose festival.
Castle town with cherry blossoms in spring and rose in summer.
Make a little side trip to Tomonoura, a port waiting for the tide to turn

Fukuyama is a middle city of Bingo and has flourished as a castle town since old times. Many people visit the Fukuyama Castle Park in the center of this city, which is famous for cherry blossoms. The big "Fukuyama Rose Festival" is hold in May based on the "Rose Park". Tomonoura that has flourished as the port waiting for the tide to turn is located in the southeast area of city. You can enjoy old street scenes, port view and seafood.

 Mihara city

You can enjoy the scenic beauty of many islands from Mt. Ryuo
Castle town built near the sea
You can visit the old shrines and temples, and enjoy the scenic beauty of many islands and delicious foods

The ruins of Mihara Castle which Takakage Kobayakawa had built in the Sengoku priod became the center of this town now. There are magnificent stone walls of castle behind JR Mihara station. Take a walk a few minutes to enter the old street scene. In the suburb, the blue sea and Mt. Fudekage and Mt. Ryuo enjoy with the scenic beauty of many islands to satisfy you are popular. The Buttsuji Temple in the mountain area is famous for the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. "Mihara Yassa Festival" is the 430-year-old and traditional festival. The octopus dishes are representative of the taste in Mihara city.