Onomichi (尾道市) is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 129,314 in 64055 households and a population density of 450 persons per km². The total area of the city is 285.11 sqkm.

Geography

Onomichi is located in southeastern Hiroshima Prefecture. It faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south, and the coastline is intricate and forms part of the Setonaikai National Park. The main urban concentration is in a narrow band on the coast, where there is very little flat land. Because of its unique scenery, it is often used as a filming location for movies.

Adjoining municipalities

Hiroshima Prefecture

Climate

Onomichi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by cool to mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average annual temperature in Onomichi is 15.9 C. The average annual rainfall is 1138.4 mm with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.5 C, and lowest in January, at around 5.7 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Onomichi was 37.8 C on August 15, 2024; the coldest temperature ever recorded was -6.3 C on 26 February 1981.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Onomichi in 2020 is 131,170 people. Onomichi has been conducting censuses since 1960.

History

Government

Onomichi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 26 members.Onomichi contributes three members to the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Hiroshima 5th district and Hiroshima 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Crime and safety

The Kyodo-kai yakuza syndicate is based in Onomichi. The Kyodo-kai is the second largest yakuza group in the Chugoku region after the Hiroshima-based Kyosei-kai.

Economy

Onomichi has prospered as a port town and a commercial city. Before World War II, it had an economy comparable to that of Hiroshima City. Shipyards have existed in Onomichi, Mukaishima, and Innoshima for a long time due to their location, which is blessed with water transport. In recent years, the shipbuilding industry has been in decline.

Manufacturing

Shipbuilding

Metalworking

Chemistry

Agriculture

Fishery

Media

Bookselling

Education

Onomichi features 24 public elementary schools, 16 public junior high schools, and one public high school operated by the City Government. Additionally, six public high schools fall under the administration of the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education. The city also hosts one private middle school and one private high school, contributing to a diverse educational landscape. Moreover, the prefecture operates two special education schools for individuals with disabilities.

Transportation

Railway

JR West – San'yō Shinkansen JR West (JR West) - San'yō Main Line

Highways

Sister city relations

Local attractions

The city is known for its many temples such as the Buddhist Senkō-ji Temple (founded in the 9th century), has a shipbuilding yard and a motor factory. It offers a steamship service to ports of northern Shikoku and islands in the Inland Sea.

Temples

Shrines

Castles

Parks and gardens

Museums

Beaches

Hot springs

Others

Festivals

In popular culture

The city is featured in the Japanese film Tokyo Story (1953) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, and became more famous during 80s and 90s decade thank to Nobuhiko Obayashi movies, as Exchange Students (1982), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (1983), Lonely Heart (1985) or Goodbye for Tomorrow (1995), that were very popular between 80s teen generation. It is the setting for the fantasy 2005 anime series Kamichu! which faithfully depicts many of the city's features and landmarks. Events of the Blue Drop series also happen in this city. It is also the setting of the romantic manga Pastel by Toshihiko Kobayashi. The video game Yakuza 6: The Song of Life features a fictional district of Onomichi named Jingaicho based on the downtown area of the city as the main location in the story.

Books

Films

Drama

Manga

Anime

Video games

Notable people from Onomichi

Musicians

Go players

TV

Sports

Authors/artists

Voice Actor