Tomonoura
鞆の浦 · Fukuyama, Hiroshima
The harbour that inspired Hayao Miyazaki: the jōyatō lantern of an Edo-period 'tide-waiting port'
Know before you go
- Taboos: walking side by side and blocking the narrow stone lanes, and making noise.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Why it’s popular
Overshadowed by Miyajima — this old port about 30 minutes from Fukuyama Station inspired Hayao Miyazaki's 'Ponyo', yet sees almost no foreign visitors. The complete look of an Edo-period 'shiomachi-minato' (a port where ships waited for the tide) is frozen in time here.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
A strategic point on the Seto Inland Sea since the time of the Man'yōshū; in the Edo period Korean envoys and kitamaebune trading ships waited here for the tide; the jōyatō stone lantern (built 1859), the gangi stepped quays and 'Taichōrō' (in Fukuzen-ji, with views of Sensuijima) are living harbour-town heritage; the local speciality 'Hōmeishu' is a medicinal liqueur said to have been named by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Local customs
- Most of the harbour town is homes, so don't peer in or lean on lattice doors
- the area around the jōyatō is residential — keep quiet at night
- queue for the ferry to Sensuijima.
Religion & beliefs
- Taichōrō at Fukuzen-ji (Sōtō Zen) is a famous viewpoint
- Nunakuma Shrine (Shinto) is the old port's guardian. Be respectful when visiting.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
Taboos: walking side by side and blocking the narrow stone lanes, and making noise.
Locals appreciate DO
Shopkeepers in the old streets appreciate guests who 'come in to taste Hōmeishu and buy local seafood'
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Good in every season; best in spring and autumn |
|---|---|
| Getting there | About 30 minutes by bus from JR Fukuyama Station |
Travel tips
- Good all year, best in spring and autumn
- access: from JR Fukuyama Station take a bus about 30 minutes
- stay a night to see the fishing-boat lights and morning mist
- the ferry to Sensuijima takes 5 minutes
- combine with Onomichi for a two-day Seto Inland Sea trip.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Sea-bream dishes
- Hōmeishu (herbal liqueur)
- Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl)
Sea-bream dishes (Tomo sea bream as chazuke / sashimi), Hōmeishu (a sweet medicinal liqueur, Tomo's speciality), seafood rice bowls, dried small fish / fish paste, Setouchi lemon desserts
| Where to eat | Teahouses and restaurants in the old streets of Tomo harbour, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki shops in Fukuyama city |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | The fishing harbour and historic district are residential — keep quiet; Hōmeishu contains alcohol and is off-limits to minors |
| Typical price per person | JPY 1,800–3,000 ≈ CNY 81–135 |
| Tips | Sea-bream chazuke is often lunch only; enjoy harbour views from the cafés on the old street. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
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pelican from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photos
Photos
AMANO Jun-ichi · CC BY 3.0
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伊部リコ · CC BY 3.0
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伊部リコ · CC BY 3.0
Sources & verification notes
In-depth research on Japanese sights (2026-10-15). Sources: stable public knowledge (no directly verifiable links were kept from this research).
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