Discover Onomichi: Cycling Route, Senkoji and Literature

Onomichi brings together very different travel experiences: the Shimanami Kaido, a 70-kilometer national cycling route, starts here, and the namesake park and Bungaku no Komichi literary trail are located on Mount Senkoji. Senkoji Temple is in the historic old town. When choosing a hotel in Onomichi, you might first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on cycling, views and scenery, or literary and cultural themes. These places differ not only in their focus, but also in their geographical and temporal scale.

The Shimanami Kaido: a cycling route from Onomichi to Imabari

The Shimanami Kaido runs from Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, on Japan’s main island of Honshu, via the Honshu-Shikoku Expressway bridges to Imabari in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. The 70 kilometers refer to this entire connection; Onomichi is its starting point. The cycling route therefore stretches from Hiroshima Prefecture to Ehime Prefecture and covers both Honshu and Shikoku. There are numerous bicycle rental shops, rest stops and cyclist-friendly facilities along the Shimanami Kaido. The route is well maintained and easy to navigate; the blue Yahane Line, among other features, helps with wayfinding. If the cycling route is central to your stay, its course can help you understand the geographical scope of your trip.

Senkoji Park and the views

Another focus is Senkoji Park. It extends from the summit to the middle slopes of the 144.2-meter-high Mount Senkoji. From the observation platform at the summit, you can see the city of Onomichi and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Unlike the Shimanami Kaido, which links Onomichi and Imabari, the park centers on a specific mountain and viewpoint. If you would like to take scenery and views of the city and islands into account when planning your trip, the observation platform offers a clear point of reference.

Literary trail and historic old town

The “Bungaku no Komichi” literary trail also runs along Mount Senkoji, from the summit to the middle slopes. It is about one kilometer long and takes roughly an hour to walk. Excerpts from poems and novels by 25 writers and poets associated with Onomichi are carved into natural stones. With its distance and approximate duration, the literary trail offers a different scale from the 70-kilometer Shimanami Kaido route. Senkoji Temple is in Onomichi’s historic old town.

Choose the focus of your trip

First decide what you want your trip to focus on, then compare specific hotel offers using the details that matter to you.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Higashihiroshima, Mihara, Sera, Kure, Fuchū, Miyoshi, Hatsukaichi, Fukuyama.

For the regional travel overview: Hiroshima Prefecture.