The attractions of this nostalgic port town named " Tomonoura" are within distances from the bus stop and it's comfortable walking. You may be surprised to see KUBIZUKA( the mound for severed head ) is among old houses where people live their every day life. In this small fishing town, life and death coexist naturally. Time is passing slowly in this town.
Fukuyama Station
Fukuyama Station
guide fee , transportation fee ( guide ), lunch ( guide ), entrance fee ( guide )
transportation fee ( you ), lunch ( you ), entrance fee ( you )
Have you seen enough temples and shrines? How about spending a relaxing time in a small town that preserves a historic atmosphere? Tomonoura is a port town at the southern end of Fukuyama city, Hiroshima prefecture. Located at a bay facing the Seto Inland Sea, the picturesque fishing port town has a calm and laid-back atmosphere. Tomonoura is a part of the Setonaikai National Park, which has been picked as a filming location for movies such as " The Wolveine" starring Hugh Jackman and " Ponyo on the Cliff" by the popular Studio Ghibli. We visit there by bus which runs from Fukuyama Station every 20 minutes. Fukuyama Station is on the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. Direct Sakura and Nozomi shinkansen trains connect Hiroshima / Shin -Osaka to Fukuyama Station, costing about 4420/ 7340 JPY one way. The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the trip on Sakura trains but not on Nozomi trains.
bus fare (from Fukuyama to Tomonoura ): 550 JPY
Azusa guided my son and I on a day tour of Miyajima Island, and she was excellent. All the logistics were smooth and exactly as planned, and her detailed knowledge of the area allowed us to move from point to point efficiently. On Miyajima itself Azusa took exactly as much time for each attraction/observation that we desired. I highly recommend taking a day trip to Miyajima if you are in the Hiroshima area, and would recommend Azusa to anyone!
Dear Keith-san, I really appreciate the wonderful review. You both may be surprised to learn that Japanese summer is very humid. You may have been tired, moving from spot to spot under that hot weather. But you are very lucky to have visited Miyajima Island on the day of Itsukushima Shrine's special annual ritual. I think God's blessings were many times greater. And I was very impressed with the way you and your son cared for each other. May your trip to Japan be a long and memorable one for both of you. Good luck! Azusa
Azusa was a wonderful guide. Her pleasant personality was projected throughout the day. Her knowledge of the city, understanding of the history of Hiroshima was presented beautifully. She certainly takes care of her group, being attentive to all.
Dear Michael-san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. You all are considerate and full of a great sense of humor. We enjoyed interacting with local students on the train. I am sure they had a memorable time like me. And it was nice to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom on the first sunny day in a long time. After all, cherry blossoms look good under warm sunny skies. I hope you will all continue your journey in good health while making many happy travel memories. Bon voyage! Azusa
Ms Azusa was wonderful. Full of energy, very enthusiastic and fluent in English. Appreciated the lunch reservation- Okonoyomiyaki, which is a Hiroshima special. In both the shrine on Miyajima and the Hiroshima museum, Azusa San stood in long ticket lines, while we had time to take pictures and explore the area briefly on our own. She was very conscientious of our time and allowed us to use it to the fullest. She addressed the history of Hiroshima with accuracy and grace, which was appreciated. We had a wonderful day chatting with Ms. Azsusa throughout the day and would highly recommend her as a guide.
Dear Kesh-san, I really appreciate your kind review. Your message encourages me so much. I was so happy to share a very enjoyable day with you all. You are very intelligent and caring family. Your questions about Japan have brought me many insights. It has been very inspiring for my work to talk to you. And your humor lightened the atmosphere. I will try to learn from you. You all are in good shape, so next time, please try climbing Mt Misen on Miyajima Island. The view of the Seto Inland Sea from the top is exceptional! I know you all are busy with your work, but please take care of yourselves. Thanks a lot. Azusa
We are grateful for the profound experience we had with Azusa. She was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way she shared the history of Hiroshima. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, this is an experience that you should prioritize including in your itinerary.
Dear Charlie-san, Thank you so much for your wonderful message! The tour was very short, but we had a lot to talk about and spent a very happy time. It was so hot and humid day, but the brightness and liveliness of the two of you energized me. I hope this trip was enjoyable and memorable for you as well. Azusa