About Tomonoura

Japan’s Leading Port Town of Early-Modern Times
Tomonoura, with its Sepia Tones Enveloped in the Evening Calm of the Seto Inland Sea

Tomonoura’s Joyato Lighthouse, peers over the calm waters of this picture-perfect harbor. It’s an iconic image evoking nostalgia and intrigue as we consider the history it witnessed during its 160-year watch over the Seto Inland Sea. As Japan’s largest remaining Edo-era navigational beacon, this solid stone tower standing at the end of Tomonoura’s quaint cobblestone harbor sets the scene for the town.

Tomonoura’s history as a pivotal trade center includes merchants, pirates, diplomats, and famous revolutionaries. Walking through the narrow back streets, discovery after discovery awaits. Temples, shrines, castle ruins, and centuries-old edifices provide a window to former glory days.

Seen from on high, or perfectly framed from a balcony seat, the magnificent views of the harbor, sea, and islands transport you to a different era — a time when boats patiently waited for the tide, while passengers and crew partook of the best this lively town had to offer.

Fortunately, we can still peek into their lives by taking a break in period-piece tea houses, tasting medicinal “houmeishu” liquor, visiting museums and temples, or soaking up the atmosphere of traditional festivities. While times have changed, Tomonoura is still very much alive, and its history is still being written.

11 Stories of Tomonoura

STORY-01
Houmei Liquor

STORY-02
Sea bream

STORY-03
Sensuijima Island

STORY-04
History

STORY-05
Festivals

STORY-06
Townscapes

STORY-07
Landscape

STORY-08
Food culture

STORY-09
Daily life

STORY-10
“Tomo time”

STORY-11
The modern port

Movie

Interviews

To know Tomonoura, know the festivals. We interviewed local residents who know the histories, backgrounds, and changes due to the passage of time regarding the representative festivals of Tomonoura: “Oyumi Ritual,” “Otebi Ritual,” and “Togyo and Kangyo Festival at Yodohime Shrine.”

Oyumi Ritual (Shinto Bow Ritual)
“It doesn’t matter whether the bow hits or misses a target.”

Otebi Ritual
“We gratefully accept the power of the deity by offering and consuming cucumbers and octopuses.”

Togyo and Kangyo Festivals
“The scars and bruises after the festival were badges of honor for men.”

ACCESS

Shinkansen

Tokyo Station – Fukuyama Station (approx. 3hr. 40min)
Shin-Osaka Station – Fukuyama Station (approx. 1hr)
Hiroshima Station – Fukuyama Station (approx. 30min)

Train

Onomichi Station – Fukuyama Station (approx. 20min)

Bus

Fukuyama Station – Tomonoura (approx. 30min. / 560 yen)
Bus terminal in front of Fukuyama Station
Platform No.5 Bound for “Tomo-ko(鞆港)”

>Access and how to ride a bus (TOMOTETSUDO)

Contact

Japan Heritage Tomonoura Regional Promotion Council
(Office: Fukuyama City Economic Environment Bureau Cultural Promotion Department)
TEL:084-928-1278
Mail:bunkazai@city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp