Tomonoura
Tomonoura, A Small Old Harbour Town Near Fukuyama With A Stone Lantern, A Harbour Lit At Night And Merchant Houses Of The Edo Period, Known For Its Tide Waiting Port And As A Model For An Anime Film. A Quiet Short Visit. · Fukuyama, Hiroshima
Tomonoura is a small old harbour town on the Seto Inland Sea near Fukuyama in Hiroshima Prefecture, reached by a bus of roughly 30 minutes from Fukuyama Station. It was a tide-waiting port, where ships rode out the changing currents of the inland sea, and the curved harbour still holds a tall stone lantern, said to be the tallest of its kind in Japan, along with stone quays, merchant houses and temples packed on a narrow strip of shore. Hayao Miyazaki is often said to have stayed here while developing his film Ponyo, and the town claims that link. The town is also known for Homeishu, a medicinal liquor, and for a hillside temple with a famous view across the bay to Bentenjima. It suits quiet walkers, photographers and people who like old harbours without crowds. Allow two to four hours. It is worth the detour if you are already near Fukuyama or Onomichi, and not worth a long trip for a short stroll in rain. Kurashiki is a separate stop.
Tomo-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, a bus ride from Fukuyama Station, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan
The harbour and streets are open at all hours, but the temples, house museums and small shops keep daytime hours, generally closing around 16:30 to 17:00, and some museums close one weekday, often Monday - confirm before you go. Buses leave from Fukuyama Station for Tomonoura roughly every 20 to 30 minutes in the day and take about 30 minutes; the last bus back is early on quiet days, so check it on arrival. IC cards often work on the bus, but cash is needed at small shops and temples. A ferry to Sensuijima runs on a short schedule - confirm. Nothing needs booking, and weekdays are very quiet.