Onomichi's Temple Trails

Twist and turn in and around Onomichi's many temples

Chantelle Silva Jul 08, 2013 - 1 min read

An excellent viewing spot of the houses which cling to Onomichi's hillsides

Beautiful green spaces surprise at every turn

A bright orange torii gate signifies sacred ground

Onomichi is the perfect place to be on a bright sunny day

Gravestones and monuments are tucked within the trees all around the mountain

Little coffee shops and small bars decorate the path down the mountain

Stick to the main path and you can't go wrong...

Or dare to deviate from the path and take a stroll through the local neighborhood

Find yourself face to face with spectacular temples

Each temple has its own unique style and design

A grand entrance to a shrine beside the tourist information center

The cable car passes one of the many temples

Trails from mountaintop Senkoji Park meander down to the sea, passing a treasure trove of hidden sights. Forget the map and don't even bother about looking up directions on your phone (this maze of paths is far too intricate to appear on any map app). Follow your instincts and see where you end up. You will be amazed how a bustling city and quaint hillside life can be within only minutes of one another. Narrow dirt paths turn into cobbled streets which weave between tightly packed houses and bring you unexpectedly face to face with historic temples. Tiny bars and cafes nestled in the trees and tucked into the mountainside have you do double takes and peering through to check that your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Put on your explorer's hat and get lost along Onomichi's temple trails... Who knows what you'll find?

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Chantelle Silva @chantelle.silva

My first encounter with Japan was in June 2013, when I spent a month in Tokyo/Hiroshima interning for Japan Travel. I knew from the moment that I set foot in this mesmerising country that one month would not nearly be enough time to enjoy what Japan has to offer. So here I am back in Japan, this ...