Hiroshima, Onomichi & Takehara in 2 Days: Tamayura's Official Map

Pokémon Center Hiroshima

On the 2nd floor of ekie inside Hiroshima Station, open roughly 10:00–20:00 with no regular closing day, so you can go before the train east. If you are starting the day at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park instead, allow a full morning: it is a different kind of visit and deserves one.

Hiroshima → Onomichi

Either the JR Sanyo Line all the way east, or the Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Onomichi and the Onomichi Bus down to Onomichi Station, about 15 min for about ¥190. A taxi takes about 10 min and costs around ¥1,000. JR West publishes fares only through its own search tool, so check yours there.

Onomichi and the strait

The Anime Tourism Association's list of 88 anime spots, drawn up with the rights holders, designates Onomichi for the Fafner in the Azure series. The entry names the town rather than individual buildings, so treat the whole strait as the setting: the waterfront, the ferries crossing to Mukaishima and the alleys behind. Fans also say Onomichi is the model for the town in Kamichu!, and it may well be, but we could not find that published by the city, its tourism association or the rights holder.

Mt. Senkoji ropeway and the temple walk

The ropeway runs roughly 9:00–17:15 with a cabin every 15 min. Adults are about ¥500 one way and ¥700 return, children about ¥250 and ¥350, with a discount for JR West rail pass holders. Ride up and walk down through the temple path and the cat alley. Note that the ropeway is scheduled to close for its annual inspection from December 7 to 25, 2026.

Onomichi after dark

The Onomichi Free Pass, about ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children, covers a return ropeway ride and a day of Onomichi Bus plus discounts, and is sold at the station bus centres and several hotels. In the evening the lights of the shipyards across the channel are the view; the town's ramen is the meal.

Onomichi → Takehara

West to Mihara on the Sanyo Line, then the JR Kure Line down the coast to Takehara. The Kure Line hugs the sea most of the way and is worth a window seat. Takehara City and its tourism association publish the Tamayura location map as a free PDF: download it before you lose signal.

JR Takehara Station

The first stop on the official map and the start of the walk. The old town is about 15 min north on foot; the tourism association's office can point you at the printed map if you would rather carry paper.

Isomiya Hachiman Shrine

Named on the official map, a short walk east of the station on the way in. It is an active shrine, so visit as a guest: bow at the gate and keep clear of anyone praying. Mt. Chinkai and the Shinminato Bridge are on the same stretch.

The preserved historical district

A nationally designated preservation district of white-walled merchant houses from Takehara's salt and sake wealth. The official map puts the Former Kasai Residence, Shoukei Plaza, Okakae Jizo, Ebisu-do, Jizo-do and Shorenji inside or beside it. The streets are free to walk. Two spots on the map carry the city's own warnings that you may not enter the grounds, and the old photo studio is a private building that no longer trades: photograph those from the street, if at all.

Saihoji Temple and Fumeikaku

Up the stone stairway at the top of the district. The official map names these steps as the setting used in the opening titles, and the hilltop pavilion as the characters' gathering spot; it is said to be modelled on Kiyomizu-dera. Visiting hours are given as roughly 8:00–18:00, and the view takes in the whole town and the sea beyond.

Takehara → Hiroshima

Back the way you came on the Kure Line: the city gives Hiroshima to Takehara as about 1.5–2 hr. The Geiyo Bus Kaguya-hime coach is quicker, about 1 hr 20 min from Takehara Station to the Hiroshima Bus Center, and about ¥1,300 through to Hiroshima Station.