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?
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.
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
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.
More Sightseeing Spots 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.
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
Here are some great restaurants within a 20-minute walk from Hiroshima Station.
Kappo Hakutaka (Ebisu-cho / Japanese Cuisine)
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.
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
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)
[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.
Even though the restaurant has a fancy atmosphere, customers with children are also welcome.
AOHIGE Main Branch
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