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Private tour in Onomichi Matthew W
Tomonoura, Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido Tour
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10 hours
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Tour date
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10 hours
1
Matthew W.
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I have been a guide in Hiroshima since 2001. I speak English and Japanese. I run tours all across Japan, but especially in the traditional heartland around Hiroshima and the Shikoku countryside. I also have a traditional ryoukan hotel and school attached to my licensed travel agency. If you would like to meet locals with the same interests, I am sure it will be the highlight of your trip. My main interests are Japanese history, food, traditional arts, gardening and bird watching. My wife is also a professional cooking instructor, tea master and licensed kimono teacher. I am happy to show visitors around my farm on one of the islands between Hiroshima and Shikoku where I keep many kinds of animals. After visiting over 70 countries, what attracted me to Japan was the sense of community. Japanese aim for perfect harmony. There are rules for everything - many having lost their purpose over time. I would be very happy to help you understand the often complicated Japanese mind. I can accept any size group. I have my own cars and buses. For many years I have been introducing foreign school groups and clubs to Japanese schools and arranging cultural exchange classes.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Matthew W.
Port Town Culture, Cinema and History
Overview of your Onomichi tour
Discover Japanese cinema and the Seto Inland Sea on this immersive 10-hour private tour. Starting at Fukuyama Station, your guide drives you to the beautifully preserved Edo-period town of Tomonoura. Here, historic merchant alleys and the iconic Joyato Lighthouse served as a coastal backdrop for The Wolverine. Next, ride a ferry to Sensui Island to explore the pristine beaches and nature trails that inspired Studio Ghibli's Ponyo. Your car then brings you to the coastal hills of Onomichi for a cozy lunch at a hidden neighborhood eatery, offering a chance to mingle with locals over regional dishes. Film buffs will marvel at Jyodo-ji, a historic hillside temple immortalized in Yasujiro Ozu's 1953 masterpiece Tokyo Story. Finally, cruise across the majestic suspension bridges of the Shimanami Expressway to explore the maritime charm and citrus groves of Setoda Port, concluding your day with a stunning sunset drive.
Your Onomichi tour itinerary
- Fukuyama Station: Meet your private driver for a scenic 30-minute coastal drive south toward the Seto Inland Sea. - Tomonoura: Walk this Edo-period port's merchant lanes. Your guide will highlight historic locations from the movie The Wolverine. - Sensui Island: Take a brief ferry ride to this national park. Explore the beaches and nature trails that inspired Ponyo. - Local Lunch in Onomichi: Drive to Onomichi. Dine at a small neighborhood eatery to mingle with locals and enjoy an authentic meal. - Jyodo-ji: Visit this hillside temple complex. Featured in Ozu's 1953 film Tokyo Story, it offers views of the Onomichi Strait. - Setoda Port: Cross the Shimanami Kaido to Ikuchijima Island. Explore the retro maritime atmosphere and Shiomachi shopping street. - Shimanami Expressway: Enjoy golden-hour views over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, arriving safely at Fukuyama Station by 07:00 PM.
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minivan
I have a range of vehicles for any group size: Car (~3), van (~13) or bus (~24). All vehicles have complimentary unlimited WiFi internet access.
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
Fukuyama Station, 30 Sannomaruchō, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan
Meet inside Fukuyama station (just outside McDonald's). Alternatively, I can pick-up from your hotel in Onomichi or Hiroshima city, or Hiroshima Airport.
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
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English
JapaneseActivity level
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10 hours
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Tour date
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10 hours
1
Tour date
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.