Update-date: Jul 31 2024
If you love Ghibli, you might want to consider going on a trip to Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture! Full of charm and packed with attractions, it is the perfect place to enjoy the port town that became the inspiration for the neighborhood where Sosuke, the main character in the movie Ponyo, lives!
You will also get to see historic townscape and gorgeous natural scenery in this town. Read on for the recommended sightseeing spots in Tomonoura where you can immerse yourself in the world of Ponyo, as well as restaurants near Hiroshima Station, the center of Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Setting of the Movie Ponyo! What Kind of Place is Tomonoura in Hiroshima?
Ponyo, an anime film by Studio Ghibli, tells the story of Sosuke, a boy who lives in a house perched on a cliff in a small town by the sea, and his encounter and adventures with Ponyo, a mysterious young fish. The film is set in a town that looks just like Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Many people believe that Tomonoura is the most beautiful port town in Japan, with wooden buildings that are over 100 years old, cobblestone roads, narrow alleys, and cafes found in old Japanese-style houses.
Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli, was apparently so captivated by the beautiful scenery in Tomonoura that he stayed in the town for months to conceptualize and work on his film.
Many people believe that Tomonoura is the most beautiful port town in Japan, with wooden buildings that are over 100 years old, cobblestone roads, narrow alleys, and cafes found in old Japanese-style houses.
Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli, was apparently so captivated by the beautiful scenery in Tomonoura that he stayed in the town for months to conceptualize and work on his film.
To get to Tomonoura, take the Tomotetsu Bus from JR Fukuyama Station.
The ride should take about 30 minutes. While you'll have to leave central Hiroshima, it is well worth the trip! When you get there, you will get to breathe its relaxing and pleasant air and catch a glimpse of how the locals live while you're walking around town.
Incidentally, Fukuyama Station is known for its close proximity to Fukuyama Castle, with the inbound platform on the Sanyo bullet train line offering a picturesque view of Fukuyama Castle's tower and stone walls! So, if you will be coming by shinkansen, don't miss the splendid view.
The ride should take about 30 minutes. While you'll have to leave central Hiroshima, it is well worth the trip! When you get there, you will get to breathe its relaxing and pleasant air and catch a glimpse of how the locals live while you're walking around town.
Incidentally, Fukuyama Station is known for its close proximity to Fukuyama Castle, with the inbound platform on the Sanyo bullet train line offering a picturesque view of Fukuyama Castle's tower and stone walls! So, if you will be coming by shinkansen, don't miss the splendid view.
Recommended Spots that Feel Like You are in Ponyo's World
© 2008 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDHDMT
Here are some must-visit spots in Tomonoura.
The first thing you have got to see when you visit Tomonoura is the view of the port town that appears in the film Ponyo. The best viewing spot is within walking distance of the Joyato Lighthouse, which was built in 1859 and is considered the symbol of Tomonoura.
The fishing boats and rows of houses look just like those in the movie, and they will surely make you feel like Sosuke and his mother, Lisa, might drive by at anytime.
The first thing you have got to see when you visit Tomonoura is the view of the port town that appears in the film Ponyo. The best viewing spot is within walking distance of the Joyato Lighthouse, which was built in 1859 and is considered the symbol of Tomonoura.
The fishing boats and rows of houses look just like those in the movie, and they will surely make you feel like Sosuke and his mother, Lisa, might drive by at anytime.
Another must-see for fans of the movie is the Onfunayado Iroha, a 220-year-old old traditional Japanese-style house that was renovated based on a design provided by director Hayao Miyazaki. The windows of this house are fitted with colorful stained glass designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself.
More Sightseeing Spots in Tomonoura!
They do not appear in the film, but there are many other spots you should check out in Tomonoura.
One of the most popular scenic spots in this town is Sensuijima, an island that is just a 5-minute ferry ride from Tomonoura. Legend has it that supernatural beings used to live here and that "the island is so beautiful that even supernatural beings get intoxicated by its beauty," which is how it apparently got its name. You cannot disembark at this island, but while you're cruising on the boat, you will also see Bentenjima, a small island with a vermilion-lacquered Buddhist hall.
One of the most popular scenic spots in this town is Sensuijima, an island that is just a 5-minute ferry ride from Tomonoura. Legend has it that supernatural beings used to live here and that "the island is so beautiful that even supernatural beings get intoxicated by its beauty," which is how it apparently got its name. You cannot disembark at this island, but while you're cruising on the boat, you will also see Bentenjima, a small island with a vermilion-lacquered Buddhist hall.
Located on the other side of the island, Taichoro at Fukuzenji Temple in Tomonoura is another great spot if you want to marvel at these islands.
Built around 1690 as the reception hall of Fukuzenji Temple, the Taichoro's drawing room offers a spectacular view of the two islands in the calm, blue water of Seto Inland Sea.
Built around 1690 as the reception hall of Fukuzenji Temple, the Taichoro's drawing room offers a spectacular view of the two islands in the calm, blue water of Seto Inland Sea.
Recommended Restaurants in Hiroshima
After you're done exploring Tomonoura, you'll probably be starving. So, how about going to Hiroshima Station, the gateway to sightseeing in Hiroshima, and dining in one of the nearby restaurants?
Here are some great restaurants within a 20-minute walk from Hiroshima Station.
Here are some great restaurants within a 20-minute walk from Hiroshima Station.
Kappo Hakutaka (Ebisu-cho / Japanese Cuisine)
[Kappo Hakutaka] is a well-established kappo (traditional Japanese cuisine) restaurant that opened roughly 60 years ago in the back streets of Hiroshima.
It is known for its fantastic food, sake, and ambience. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, home to rich fishing waters, this restaurant serves up dishes incorporating seasonal ingredients from Hiroshima, prepared by expert chefs to bring out the best flavors.
The chefs here are so skilled that even owners of other Japanese restaurants in Hiroshima apparently come to eat privately!
Recommended is the [Sashimi Sampler] (2,800 JPY), boasting seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. The ingredients used vary depending on the season, but it's a guarantee that they are all fresh and delicious. For instance, the sayori (Japanese halfbeak) with light white meat gets firmed up through light curing with kelp, enhancing its flavor and making its meat sweeter.
It is known for its fantastic food, sake, and ambience. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, home to rich fishing waters, this restaurant serves up dishes incorporating seasonal ingredients from Hiroshima, prepared by expert chefs to bring out the best flavors.
The chefs here are so skilled that even owners of other Japanese restaurants in Hiroshima apparently come to eat privately!
Recommended is the [Sashimi Sampler] (2,800 JPY), boasting seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. The ingredients used vary depending on the season, but it's a guarantee that they are all fresh and delicious. For instance, the sayori (Japanese halfbeak) with light white meat gets firmed up through light curing with kelp, enhancing its flavor and making its meat sweeter.
The counter, made with a single piece of solid cypress timber, has been there since the restaurant first opened its doors. Thanks to its daily use and care, it has become shiny and smooth to the touch.
And if you choose to sit in one of the counter seats, you can watch the chef in action as you await the next dish to be served. They offer a wide selection of Hiroshima's best sake, including [Hakutaka], from which the restaurant's name is derived, as well as [Hoken] and [Kamotsuru], so you can choose the sake that you want to go with your meal.
While located in the heart of Nagarekawa-cho, Hiroshima's busiest business district, its location at the end of a small alley gives it that hideaway vibe.
And if you choose to sit in one of the counter seats, you can watch the chef in action as you await the next dish to be served. They offer a wide selection of Hiroshima's best sake, including [Hakutaka], from which the restaurant's name is derived, as well as [Hoken] and [Kamotsuru], so you can choose the sake that you want to go with your meal.
While located in the heart of Nagarekawa-cho, Hiroshima's busiest business district, its location at the end of a small alley gives it that hideaway vibe.
Kappo Hakutaka
Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY
Access: 231 meters from Ebisucho Station on Hiroshima Electric Railway Line 1, 2, or 6
Address: 1-6, Nagarekawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY
Access: 231 meters from Ebisucho Station on Hiroshima Electric Railway Line 1, 2, or 6
Address: 1-6, Nagarekawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Map
More Details Reservation
AOHIGE Main Branch (Hatchobori / Teppanyaki)
[AOHIGE Main Branch] is a restaurant where you can enjoy what you would call next-level teppanyaki featuring carefully selected Hiroshima beef and fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea.
[Hiroshima Beef Steak] is available in three different cutsーsirloin, filet, and lean meatーwith the A4 and A5 grades offered at the same price.
The A4 grade, which is characterized by its balanced fat and lean meat, is recommended for the inherent taste of its premium meat.
This restaurant targets 100% local production for local consumption, so they make sure that even the vegetables and seasonings they use are grown and produced locally. When it comes to alcoholic drinks, they offer [Kamotsuru], a famous sake of Saijo, Hiroshima, one of the three major sake brewing areas in Japan, as well as wines from the prefecture.
[Hiroshima Beef Steak] is available in three different cutsーsirloin, filet, and lean meatーwith the A4 and A5 grades offered at the same price.
The A4 grade, which is characterized by its balanced fat and lean meat, is recommended for the inherent taste of its premium meat.
This restaurant targets 100% local production for local consumption, so they make sure that even the vegetables and seasonings they use are grown and produced locally. When it comes to alcoholic drinks, they offer [Kamotsuru], a famous sake of Saijo, Hiroshima, one of the three major sake brewing areas in Japan, as well as wines from the prefecture.
The restaurant has a variety of seating options, including counter seats in front of the huge teppanyaki plate, table seats that will treat you to a view of a small Japanese-style garden, and private rooms with a relaxing atmosphere. There are also several private rooms that can accommodate up to 20 guests.
Even though the restaurant has a fancy atmosphere, customers with children are also welcome.
Even though the restaurant has a fancy atmosphere, customers with children are also welcome.
AOHIGE Main Branch
Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Hatchobori Station on the Hiroshima Electric Railway train or bus toward Hiroshima Castle. The restaurant is located in the back of Hiroshima Park Lane.
Address: 8-11, Hatchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Hatchobori Station on the Hiroshima Electric Railway train or bus toward Hiroshima Castle. The restaurant is located in the back of Hiroshima Park Lane.
Address: 8-11, Hatchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Map
More Details Reservation
When visiting the historic port town of Tomonoura, it's best to avoid packing your schedule too tightly. This way, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the town. If you're exploring popular sights in Hiroshima Prefecture like the islands in the Seto Inland Sea or the World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine, make sure to include a side trip to Tomonoura in your itinerary!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
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