Fukuyama

Tomonoura
Historic port town along the Seto Inland Sea

Published by the Fukuyama City Tourism Convention Association
2-10-1 Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan 720-0067
Phone: 084-926-2649 Fax: 084-926-0664
http://www.fukuyama-kanko.com/

鞆の浦Setonaikai National Park

鞆の 浦Tomonoura, a port town of Fukuyama situatedat the southern end of the Numakuma Peninsula near the center of the Seto Inland Sea,
has flourished since the late 7th century as a location for boats to wait for favorable winds and tides.
From the Edo period (1603-1868) to the present day, many people have lived within the historic townscape,and the nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere of the town warmly welcomes visitors.
Furthermore, within the picturesque scenery woven by the sea and islands are the footprints
of famous figures throughout history, such as Sakamoto Ryōma and Ashikaga Takauji,
as well as freshly caught seafood raised in this rich natural environment.
Just walking around this town decorated by its impressive history can lead you to new discoveries and inspirations.

T O M O N O U R A

The Scenic Beauty of the Seto Inland Sea

Walk around Tomonoura

the port for awaiting favorable tides

Feel the Atmosphereof the Port Town…402

Visit Historic
Scenes…6

Soothing
Nature…8

Event Calendar /Recommended Sightseeing
Routes…10

PrizedSouvenirs…12

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Feel
the Atmosphereof the Port Town

Ōta Residence
The Ōta Residence consists of nine buildings,
which includes the main house and hōmeishu, or
medicinal liquor, brewery. The Nakamura family
thrived on their hōmeishu brewery businessbetween the middle and the end of the Edo
period. The family extended the buildings toapproximately the same scale as they exist today.
Later, the Ōta family, which ran a shipping
agency during the Meiji period (1868-1912), took
over the site. The site is designated as an
Important Cultural Property.

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Historic port that tellsof the prosperity of the Edo period
The Port of Tomo is situated in an important location of the Seto Inland Sea where
eastern and western currents meet. When ships used to rely on the wind and tides fortheir voyages, this port was bustling with people awaiting favorable tides. In all ofJapan, this is the only location where you can find port facilities from the Edo period
still standing today. These facilities include: Jōyatō (lighthouse), gangi (tiered dock),hatoba (wharf), tadeba (boat repair dock), and funabansho (boat guardhousestation). Furthermore, the white-walled
merchant houses and other traditional buildings
interspersed around the area tell even now ofTomonoura’s history as a trade town when theships of the shipping routes (Kitamaebune) oncecame calling at the port.

1. Jōyatō (lighthouse)…This is the tallest lighthouse madeof stone in Japan, with a height of 10 meters between its top andits base in the sea. It was built in 1859 and served many years as
the lighthouse for the area.

2. Gangi (tiered dock)…In Tomonoura, a step-like dock wasbuilt to facilitate cargo loading and unloading at either high or
low tide. Records show that this stone tiered dock withtwenty-one steps was built in 1811.
3. Hatoba (wharf) …These breakwaters, built out of large

pieces of granite during the Edo period, were one of the largest
built during that time. After the wharf was extended and repairedin 1824, it grew to its current length of 144 meters.

4. Tadeba (boat repair dock)…In order to make ships last
longer, this facility was used to smoke boats with leaves andrepair the bottoms of ships that were covered with shells andseaweed. As the largest dock situated in the Seto Inland Sea at
the time, it used to be the pride of the area.
5. Funabansho (boat guardhouse station)…This station
was built on the top of a cliﬀ during the beginning of the Edo periodby Ogino Shinemon Shigetomi, the ﬁrst magistrate of Tomo, toobserve ships entering and leaving the port as well as maintainsecurity. The existing building was constructed around 1955.

The main house was built at
the end of the Edo period andfeatures a typical layout of thetownhouses of Tomo, with thedirt ﬂoor stretching between
the front and back of thehouse. The house was used asa shop that sold kimono fabricand ﬁttings for ships until the
beginning of the Meiji period.

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The Nagaya-mon Gate, once
part of Fukuyama Castle, wasrelocated in the beginning of
the Meiji period and is now
used as a hōmeishu store(below photo: hōmeishu on
display). The gate used to besymmetrical, but now only
the left side remains.

Director Hayao Miyazaki
and Tomonoura
When Hayao Miyazaki visited Tomonoura on atrip as part of Studio Ghibli, he liked the area
so much that he came back to develop his
idea for his new ﬁlm, renting a house on top ofa cliﬀ for two months. The animated ﬁlm hethen created, Ponyo , features scenery andelements that remind viewers of Tomonoura,such as the bonnet buses that run in the town,
the nursery school facing the sea, and thetunnel in the area.

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Nagaya-mon Gateof the Okamoto
Residence

Tomonotsu
Merchant House

The director visited “Onfunayado IROHA” (referto page 7) and drew sketches of the interior
and exterior of the building during its
renovation. These ideas and images can beseen throughout the building. Currently his
sketches are displayed in the shop.

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Kaiganzan Senjuin Fukuzen-ji Temple
Fukuzen-ji Temple is said to have been built
during the Tenryaku era (947-957) of the Heianperiod (794-1185). This ancient temple was built
on top of the mountain near the coast. The
grounds of the temple are designated as a
National Historic Site and are said to be the place
where the Kaientai and Kishū Domain negotiated.

Taichōrō
Taichōrō is a reception hall adjacentto the main hall of Fukuzen-ji Temple
a n d was used as a guest hall andaccommodation for Joseon missions toJapan throughout the Edo period.
Visitors can enjoy a magniﬁcent viewof Benten-jima Island and Sensui-jimaIsland from the tatami reception room,
where the window frames the view likea painting.

Iroha Maru Museum

Visit Historic Scenes

Traces of historical figures throughout the town

Materials related to the Iroha Maru
incident are displayed in this building,which used to be a large storehouse
built at the end of the Edo period.
A diorama shows the state of thes h i p when it sank and its seabedexcavation. Relics lifted from twenty
meters below the sea are displayed
here as well. (Left: Exterior of the Iroha
Maru Museum)A favorite Noh stage of the preeminent
feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi islocated within the shrine grounds.
Although currently it is ﬁxed in place, itis the only demountable and portablestage remaining in Japan. It is
designated as a National Important
Cultural Property.

Iō-ji Temple
This old temple is said to have been built on themountainside in 826 by Kōbō-Daishi. It is renowned
for the beautiful panorama seen from the temple
grounds. The name of this temple also appears in
the travel records of German physician and traveler
Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866).

The Site of Sakamoto
Ryōmaʼs Lodging

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Nunakuma-jinja Shrine

This temple was originally built and named Kinpō-ji
Temple during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).
During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), it was
renamed Ankoku-ji Temple following a provincial
construction project by Ashikaga Takauji. The main
hall burned down in 1920 and currently only the
Shakadō Hall where the Butsuden (the building where
the Buddhist ﬁgure is enshrined) is located remains.

Tomonoura Museum of History and Folklore

Tomonoura has many anecdotes of famous figures from its multifaceted history. The Iroha Maru incident by the
Kaientai (association of lordless samurai), led by Sakamoto Ryōma, is the most famous. Iroha Maru, a steamship,
collided with a warship of the Kishū Domain and later sank off the coast of Tomonoura. Tomonoura was where
Ryōma had negotiations to obtain compensation from the Kishū Domain. Some buildings related to the incident
still remain there, including the merchant house where Ryōma and his companions stayed and the place where thefirst maritime trial was conducted in Japan.

It is said that Ryōma and his
companions of the Kaientai stayedat this house belonging to Masuya
Seiemon, a shipping agent, during
the negotiations of the Iroha Maru
incident. A hidden room (on theright), where Ryōma stayed, wasdiscovered in its original state in
1987, and the room is currently
open to the public.

Ankoku-ji Temple

This museum is built on the ruins of Tomo Castle. The castle was built
as an important site for maritime aﬀairs during the Sengoku (Warring
States) period (1467-1603) and was renovated by the daimyo
Fukushima Masanori. The museum that stands there today displays
materials regarding the history and festivals of Tomonoura. A
panoramic view of Tomo Bay can be enjoyed from the open space infront of the building.

Scenery of Tomonoura as describedby poets of the Man'yōshū
The Site of the Negotiationsof the Iroha Maru Incident(Onfunayado IROHA)This building, known as the former
residence of Uoya Manzō, served as themunicipal oﬃce where negotiations
between Ryōma and the Kishū Domain
were held. The non-proﬁt organization“Tomo Machizukuri Kōbō” renovatedthe building into a ryokan (Japanesestyle inn) and restaurant.

Tomonoura appears in Japanese tanka (short poems) written
by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Ōtomo no Tabito, and others
who travelled to the capital of Kinki, Kyushu, and the continent(mainland China). Three tanka written by Ōtomo no Tabito outof eight from the Man'yōshū (the oldest existing collection ofJapanese poetry) are on the tanka inscriptions located at thefoot of the mountain of Fukuzen-ji Temple and the grounds ofIō-ji Temple. Unfortunately, the location of the “needle juniper
tree” (muronoki) referenced to in six tanka is unknown.

The tanka inscriptions of Ōtomo no Tabito, whose tanka
express the suﬀering he endured when remembering
his wife, who passed away on the way from Dazaifu (theregional government in Kyushu) to the capital. From left
to right: foot of the mountain of Fukuzen-ji Temple andthe grounds of Iō-ji Temple.

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Benten-jima Island
Benten-jima Island, also called Hyakkan-jima Island, is adeserted island located between Tomonoura andSensui-jima Island. Benzaiten, the guardian deity ofﬁshermen, is enshrined in the vermilion-lacquered
Bentendō Hall, the main landmark of the island. The
pagoda that stands close to the hall is etched with adate from the Kamakura period, making it the oldest
pagoda in Hiroshima Prefecture compared with thosewith a known construction year. This pagoda isdesignated as a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Soothing Nature
Picturesque scenery createdby the calm seas and verdurous islands

Five-colored Rock
There are only a few places in theworld where you can ﬁnd a
ﬁve-colored rock (black, red, blue,
yellow, and white), and this is the
only such location in Japan. This
raised rock is approximately 200
meters lengthwise and found on thesouthern coast of the island.

Sensui-jima Island is located just ﬁve minutesby municipal ferry oﬀ the coast of the Portof Tomo and is only six kilometers incircumference. It was named after its beauty,
as the island is said to be beautiful enough tomesmerize (sui) an immortal mountain sage
(sennin) . T h e r e a r e ﬁ v e h i k i n g c o u r s e sthroughout the island that allow visitors to
see the nature that has lasted since olden
times. From the Senningaoka Observation Hill
visitors can see an excellent view of thesunset̶in fact, this location was chosen as
one of the top 100 sunset-viewing locationsin Japan. In addition, there are other leisurefacilities such as camping sites, a swimming
beach, and a salt workshop as well as lodging
facilities such as Kokumin Shukusha
Sensui-jima. On Sensui-jima Island, visitors
can also ﬁnd the only ﬁve-colored rock inJapan, known as a spiritual location that has
become very popular with tourists.

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Enjoy nature from season to season
through hiking courses.

Sea Kayaking
A diﬀerent view of the town can be enjoyed through sea
kayaking. Sea kayak rentals are available at Kokumin Shukusha
Sensui-jima (a lodging facility on Sensui-jima Island), and guided
sea kayak tours run by local shops are also available. The waves
are gentle enough for beginners to try kayaking in Tomonoura.

Edo Baths
Several detoxing resort spas themed
after the baths of the Edo period
include “cave steam baths,” “tainai(motherʼs womb) baths” that have ahigher concentration of salt thanseawater, and “medicated open-air
baths.”

Mt. Ushiroyama
Mt. Ushiroyama is a mountain located right behind thetown of Tomo, and located in the middle of thismountain is Iō-ji Temple, from which visitors can enjoy apanoramic view of the town and the Seto Inland Sea.

Rebirth of the Heisei Iroha Maru

Salt Workshop

The Tomonoura Swimming Beach is open
between mid-July and mid-August.

The water, which has been used by local residents for along time, was discovered to contain radium, and an
onsen named “Shiomachi-no-Yu” was opened in 2002. A
single onsen source leads to four hot spring facilities.

Sensui-jima Island

Since long ago, Tomonoura has been renowned for its magnificent scenery. The
coastal area and offshore islands are designated as areas of national scenic beauty
and are part of one of the first national parks in Japan (the Setonaikai National
Park). Rai San’yō, a scholar of the Edo period, admired the outstanding natural
beauty of Tomonoura, which still exists today. You can find many facilities andviewing locations to soothe your body andmind, such as Sensui-jima Island where in the
midst of nature you can go hiking, camping,or sea bathing, or Tomonoura, where you canenjoy one of the highest radium-containing
onsen (hot springs) in Japan.

Camping sites are available year-roundwith the beach located right in front of the site.

Tomonoura Onsen (Hot Spring)This workshop was chosen as one of
the top 100 salt locations in Japan.
Sea salt is produced daily using anold-fashioned process that involves
sun drying seawater drawn from the
Seto Inland Sea. Visitors can observe
the salt-making process as well as try
making salt themselves at thisworkshop.

The ship that was at the center of the Iroha Maru incident, theBritish-made steamship “Iroha Maru,” still stands at the bottomof the sea oﬀ the coast of Ujishima Island in Fukuyama. After
143 years since the incident in 2010, a replica of the ship named“Heisei Iroha Maru” was produced to serve as a municipal ferry.
At 22.3 meters and 19 metric tons, the ferry is only two-ﬁfths
the size of the original ship that Ryōma sailed. Within the Heisei
Iroha Maru are photos of Ryōma, old compasses, and otheritems of that time period, and the wood grain interior of theferry creates a calming atmosphere for those who ride it.

The maximum capacity of the ship is 99 passengers, and it runs
every 20 minutes between Tomonoura and Sensui-jima Island.

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Recommended Sightseeing Routes
1 HourSightseeing
CourseA short course to visit
selected locations mainly
around the Port of Tomo

Tomonoura Tai-ami

Fukuyama Tomonoura
Benten-jima Island
Fireworks Festival(Display of traditional net fishing technique viewed from a sightseeing ship)

Early to late May

A sightseeing ship is available to see up-close this traditional ﬁshingmethod that has lasted 380 years, in which a ﬂeet of ﬁshing boats catch
schools of red sea bream. (Reservations required.)T O M O N O U R A

Event Calendar

The last Saturday of May

This event is a ﬁreworks festival that
represents the beginning ofsummer in the Seto Inland Sea. Twothousand ﬁreworks are set oﬀ at
Benten-jima Island and decorate thenight sky spectacularly every year.

Opening of the Tomonoura Swimming Beach to Swimmers
Mid-July

The municipal swimming beach on Sensui-jima Island is open between mid-July andmid-August. Special events take place during the opening ceremony on the ﬁrst day ofthe beachʼs opening to swimmers.

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1

Tomonoura Tourist
Information Center(Tomonoura Bus Stop)

Tomonoura Tourist
Information Center(Tomonoura Bus Stop)

Approx. 5 minute walk

Approx. 5 minute walk

Approx. 15 minute walk2

2

Muronoki(Needle Juniper Tree)
Tanka Inscription

Muronoki(Needle Juniper Tree)
Tanka Inscription

Approx. 2 minute walk

Approx. 2 minute walk3

3

Taichōrō andFukuzen-ji Temple

Taichōrō andFukuzen-ji Temple(Time required: approx. 20 min.)Approx. 5 minute walkThis is a community event in which each household
displays their dolls for Hinamatsuri (also known as“Doll Festival” or “Girlsʼ Festival”) to the public. Dolls
are passed down in families from generation to
generation. Valuable dolls from the Edo and Meiji
periods can be seen during this time of the year.

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Approx. 6 minute walkSite of the Negotiationsof the Iroha Maru Incident
Approx. 6 minute walk

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Iroha Maru Museum

Tomonoura Museumof History and Folklore

Enpuku-ji Temple
and Taigashima Castle Ruins

Approx. 1 minute walk

Approx. 5 minute walk6

Iroha Maru Museum

Taichōrō andFukuzen-ji Temple(Time required: approx. 15 min.)Approx. 1 minute walk

Approx. 3 minute walk7

Tomonotsu
Merchant House(Time required: approx. 20 min.)Ōta Residence

Tomonotsu
Merchant House
Approx. 2 minute walk

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Tomonoura
Tourist Information Center

Burial Mound for the Severed
Head of Yamanaka Shikanosuke
and Sasayaki-bashi Bridge

The Site of Sakamoto
Ryōmaʼs Lodging

Approx. 6 minute walk

Approx. 2 minute walk9

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Nunakuma-jinja Shrine
and Chikaraishi(Power Stones)

Tomonoura
Tourist Information Center

Approx. 5 minute walk10

Hayashi Residence(Doll Festival) Mid-February to late MarchApprox. 5 minute walk11

Tomonoura
Tourist Information Center

This is a general information center of the town
where you can get tourist maps and the latest
recommendations. Special products that represent
Tomonoura are available for sale at the Tomotetsu
Bus Center attached to the Information Center.
TEL 084-982-3200(Time required: approx. 20 min.)7

Approx. 6 minute walk

（Tomonoura Tourist Information Center）

Approx. 6 minute walk6

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Approx. 4 minute walkThis is one of the three major ﬁre festivals in Japan. One hundred people
carry three “ōtebi” (enormous ﬂaming torches) and bravely ascend the longstone steps of Nunakuma-jinja Shrine.

Ōta Residence(Time required: approx. 20 min.)Tomonotsu
Merchant House

Approx. 5 minute walk

The Saturday before the second Sunday of July

3

Gangi (Tiered Dock)

Approx. 3 minute walk

（ Audio Guide ）An audio handset provides users with detailed
information on the attractions of Tomonoura. It
contains 62 points of interest and is recommended
for visitors who would like to see the sights andvisit historical locations at their own leisure.
Japanese and multilingual audio guides areavailable. (No reservation required.)◎Price: ￥500 per visit per handset*Deposit of ￥1,000 is required(Refundable when handset is returned.)◎Rental/return locations:
Hotel Ōfutei (8:00AM‒4:30PM),
Tomonoura Tourist Information Center(9:00AM‒4:30PM)◎For questions, contact the Fukuyama City
Tourism Convention Association
TEL 084-926-2649

Approx. 1 minute walk4

Ōta Residence

Tomo Machinami Hinamatsuri

Approx. 3 minute walkIroha Maru Museum

By using these options you canmake your visit more enjoyable!

(Time required: approx. 20 min.)

4(Time required: approx. 20 min.)Otebi Fire Festival(Time required: approx. 20 min.)

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People have their children rideon Hassaku no Uma (a whitewooden horse with a movingcart) and parade throughout thetown, wishing for the good
health and growth of theirchildren.

One hour course to visit
historical locations
where Ryōma stayed
during the negotiationsof the Iroha Maru incident

1(Time required: approx. 15 min.)September

A course that allows you
to see many of the main
locations in Tomonoura

Sakamoto Ryōma
CourseExperience theLate Edo Period!

Tomonoura Tourist
Information Center(Tomonoura Bus Stop)

Approx. 3 minute walk

Hassaku no Umadashi
Festival

2 HourSightseeing
CourseHandy Travel Guide（ Guided Tour ）A local guide takes visitors on a tour of the town
and provides various information about the sights.
(Reservation required/no set hours of operation/
available in Japanese only.)◎Price: ￥2,000 (up to 2 hours), available at theTomonoura Tourist Information Center. Free
guided tours are available on Saturday, Sunday,
and national holidays. (No reservation required.)◎1.5-hour guided tour (twice a day)Starts at: 11:20AM, 2:20PM
Meeting location: Municipal ferry port
◎2-hour guided tour (once a day)Starts at: 10:30AM
Meeting location:
Tomonoura Tourist Information Center◎For questions, contact the Tomonoura Tourist
Information Center TEL 084-982-3200（ Rental Bicycles ）Rental bicycles are available next to the municipal
ferry port. (No reservation required.) ￥100 for theﬁrst 2 hours, then ￥50 every 30 minutes.

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T O M O N O U R APrized Souvenirs
Various collections of products, including seafood products,
local favorites, and new specialties,
are available to visitors of Tomonoura.

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5

9

5. Mame-dango

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These mame-dango are the ﬁrst bean confectionery to
win the International Superior Taste Award. A set of nineﬂavors of diﬀerent beans includes takesumi (bamboo
charcoal) ﬂavor and matcha milk ﬂavor.
◎Tokunaga Seika Co., Ltd. TEL 084-922-2710
http://mametoku.co.jp/◎￥1,645 per box (tax inclusive)

6. Cream Puffs
That Look Like Takoyaki

They deﬁnitely look like takoyaki (octopus dumplings),
but actually taste like cream puﬀs. Special versions use
ingredients that look like red pickled ginger and octopus.
◎Bingo Fukuyama Toraya TEL 084-954-7447◎￥680 per pack of 8 (tax inclusive)

7. Famous Confections of Fukuyama:Bara-ichirin (A Single Rose)
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1. Hōmeishu (Medicinal Liquor)

Hōmeishu was ﬁrst made at the beginning of the Edo period in Tomonoura. It is made using sweet
glutinous rice wine, in which 16 types of spices, including oriental plant extracts, are steeped. It ishighly nutritious and has been said to be a cure-all and a bringer of longevity since long ago. It is also
known as a drink served to entertain Commodore Matthew Perry and his party, famous for the “Black
Ships” that arrived in Japan during the late Edo period. Four breweries currently produce this liquor
and the taste diﬀers slightly depending on the brewery.

These are manjū (bean jam sweets) ﬁlled with a lightyellow bean paste in the shape of a rose, the oﬃcial
ﬂower of Fukuyama City. The unique recipe creates adelicious treat with a mild taste. This product won thePrime Minister Award at the 23rd National Confectionery
Exposition.
◎Miyamotoya Co., Ltd. Main Store TEL 084-951-0999◎Sansute Branch Store (JR Fukuyama Station)
TEL 084-922-2081◎Midorimachi Koko-Rose Branch Store TEL 084-925-0345◎￥960 per pack of 8 (tax inclusive)

8. Famous Confection of the Bingo
Province: Hanamushiro

2. Sensuisennin Hōmeishu Cake

This is a cake made using the famous hōmeishu of Tomonoura. The harmony of the gentle sweetnessof the liquor and dough creates this mild-ﬂavored cake. This product also won the Monde Selection
Gold Award for three consecutive years and the International High Quality Trophy.
◎Tomotetsu Bus Center TEL 084-970-5102 ◎￥1,400 each (tax inclusive)

3. Gasuten

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Gasuten are ﬁsh paste products unique to Tomonoura. They are made using a mixture of mashed smallﬁsh such as nebuto (Apogon lineatus) , bone and all, and burdock. This mixture is then deep-fried. This
product was named due to its bony texture, which in Japanese is described as “gasugasu.”◎Amochinmi Co., Ltd. TEL 084-982-3333 ◎￥170 each (tax inclusive)

This yōkan (sweet bean jelly) has been a long-selling
product since 1965, and it is sold wrapped in a woven matthat represents the Japanese mat rush produced in the
Bingo area. Two ﬂavors, ogura (sweet adzuki bean) andmatcha, both with the chewy texture of gyūhi (a softer
form of mochi, or rice cake), are available.
◎Hamadanna Seika TEL 084-951-3232◎￥1,188 each (tax inclusive)

4. Tai (Red Sea Bream) Chikuwa

This is a traditional specialty of Tomonoura. These chikuwa (grilled ﬁsh paste in a tubular shape) aremade of local ﬁsh, shaped by the hands of experts, and grilled. They are exquisite products with atender, chewy texture and subtle ﬂavor of bamboo.
◎Tomonoura Shunsen-ichiba Taikōbō Uohisa Main Store TEL 084-983-5017◎Taikōbō Branch Store TEL 084-982-2772 ◎Higashifukatsu Branch Store TEL 084-928-8080◎￥250 each (tax inclusive)

Highly Recommended Dishesof Tomonoura

Red Sea Bream Dishes

I n T o m o no ur a , t h e re a re m a n y
diﬀerent variations of dishes featuring
red sea bream (tai). For instance, red
sea bream somen noodles are an
essential dish on festive occasions,and rice with red sea bream used tobe eaten by ﬁshermen on ﬁshingboats. Other dishes include red sea
bream shabu-shabu (hot pot) and red
sea bream chazuke (rice with greentea). These dishes are available atmany restaurants in Tomonoura.

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4

CraftsBingo-gasuri (Bingo Kasuri)(Splashed Patterned Fabric)
This style of splashed patterned fabric,
called “kasuri,” has a 160 year history andis one of the three major forms of kasuri
in Japan. Kurume-gasuri and Iyo-kasuri
are the other two major forms of kasuri.
Seventy percent of kasuri in Japan were
produced in the Bingo Province due toindustrialization between 1955 and1964. It is designated as a traditional
craft of Hiroshima Prefecture.

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9. Yuzumochi(Yuzu Flavored Rice Cake)

Yuzumochi have been a special product of Fukuyama
since the Genroku era (1688-1704). They were further
improved in 1872 and have since been a highly praised
ﬂagship product of Yamatoya. This product is madewith local yuzu to enhance its ﬂavor and nutrition.
◎Yamatoya TEL 084-923-0574◎Fukuyama-ekimae Branch Store TEL 084-923-2849◎￥864 each (tax inclusive)

10. Mugikko-kurikko

In this sweet, a chestnut and strained sweet bean paste
are wrapped by parched barley ﬂour dough, creating
a simple and nostalgic ﬂavor. This treat won ﬁrst
place at the 25th National Confectionery Exposition.
◎Benkyōdō Main Store TEL 084-959-0025◎Kawaguchi-Chōtekian, Minamizaō-Chōtekian,
Ekiya-Chōtekian, Tode-Chōtekian,Higashionomichi-Chōtekian
http://ben-kyou-dou.co.jp/◎￥194 each (tax inclusive)

11. Bara no Machi Fukuyama

Fukuyama has been aiming to plant one million roses,
the oﬃcial ﬂower of the city, and become a “City ofRoses” (bara no machi). This baked confectionery ispacked with plenty of milk and eggs and shaped into
the form of a rose. This treat elicits a delicate ﬂavor.
◎Mikawaya Co., Ltd. TEL 084-923-4890
Also sold at Kiosk, Tenmaya Fukuyama Branch,
Tenmaya Store, Hotel Ōfutei, Keishōkan◎￥972 per pack of 10 (tax inclusive)

Bingo Tatami Facing◀

This tatami facing is made using carefully selectedigusa, or Japanese mat rush, with a silver-whiteand bluish hue and a glossy, thick outer layer. It isrenowned throughout Japan under the name
“Bingo-omote” and has a history of over 660 years.

Matsunaga Geta (Wooden Clogs)▶

Matsunaga geta have a history of over 130 years,
and the current production of geta account for 60
percent of the total amount produced nationwide.
Geta were ﬁrst produced using the ﬁrewood used
to boil down seawater to make salt, and between
1965 and 1974, Matsunaga, an area in Fukuyama,
developed as a footwear production center.

Fukuyama Koto

(Japanese Harp)

The Fukuyama koto, also known as
Fukuyama-goto, is designated as a
traditional craft by the national government and isfamous for its clear sound and durability. The
Fukuyama koto has a history of over 160 years andits production accounts for 70 percent of the total
amount of koto produced in Japan. It was registered
for a Regional Collective Trademark in 2006.

13

Taikōbō ●Ferry Timetable between Tomonoura
and Sensui-jima Island

To Fukuyama

Free Parking*Approx. 5 minute trip

For tourist
buses only(max 7)

From Tomonoura〒●
BUS
Post Oﬃce
Ankoku-ji Temple
Ankokuji-shita
Karesansui
Ankoku-ji Temple Shakadō Hall
Stone Seated Statueof Jizō Bosatsu●

Ankoku-ji Temple … P7

N

Ankokuji-shita
Vehicles canonly turn right ahead

Stone Monument(National Treasure
Ankoku-ji Shakadō) ● Ebisu-jinja Shrine

Shōhō-ji Temple
Public Phone / Toilets ●Park ●●●
Water Fountain

Map of Tomonoura

BUS● Hotel Ōfutei
1F: Kairi

Chugoku Bank●

Jitoku-in Temple

Round-trip Adult ￥240

Fukuyama City
Kaji Parking Lot (120 cars)

Uogen ●

Kenshō-ji
Temple● Tomo Bicycle
Parking Lot

Kogarasu-jinja
Shrine● Root of a Big Tree
Stone Monument
Tomo Community(National Treasure
Daikan-ji
CenterAnkoku-ji Shakadō)Temple●● Narutodō●

Nunakuma-jinja Shrine
Toribusuma-shaped Torii Gate

Jōyatō … P4

Seven Court Noblesʼ
Lodging in Tomo

Inari-jinja Shrine●

BUS

Tomonoura Tourist
Information Center … P11(Former Uoya Manzō Residence)Port of Tomo

<Tai-ami held in May>

BUS

14

Round-trip Child ￥120

Municipal Ferry Port●

Mt. KomisenRock Tunnel●
Meotozaka
Slope

Mt. Gozen-yama●

Edo Baths … P9●Toilets

Restaurant/Café

Place to Rent Audio Guide Handset

Bus Stop

Rental Bicycles

Information Center

Taxi StandPay Parking Lot

Hotel/Ryokan

Excellent Viewing Location

Abuto Kannon(Goddess of Mercy of Abuto)

Sensui-jima Island Camp Site … P8

The beauty of the vermilion-lacquered
Kannondō Hall, which towers at the edge ofthe cape, has been introduced in an ukiyo-e
print by Andō Hiroshige and the novel A
Dark Nightʼs Passing by Shiga Naoya.

Mt. Ōmisen●● Kongōfudōson-dō
Small Temple●● Senningaoka Observation Hill

TanouraMt. Tsukimi-yama

Tomonoura Swimming Beach … P8●

Kokumin Shukusha Sensui-jima

Akaiwa Observation Hill

Beach Promenade

Goshikinoyu (Footbath)●

Kōgō-shima Island●
Goshikiiwa (Five-colored Rock) … P9●

Miroku no Sato

Miroku no Sato is a theme park that thewhole family, young or old, can enjoy. In
addition to an amusement park and a 1960s
Japan-themed townscape, the park also
includes a natural radon onsen (hot spring),
Japanese garden, and art museum.

Salt Workshop … P9
HikouraShimokami-shima Island●
Karasunokuchi Observation Hill

Access to Tomonoura

Shobara I.C.

■By Shinkansen/Sanyo Main Line/Fukuen Line
Approx. 30 min. from JR Fukuyama Station
by local bus bound for “Tomo”

Hiroshima Airport■By Airplane
Approx. 60 min. from Hiroshima Airport
to JR Fukuyama Station by Highway Express Bus

HatobaTadeba … P4

Japanese-style Inn“Kokokara”

Tomonoura

The Site of the Negotiationsof Iroha Maru Incident … P7

Funabansho … P4

Yodohime-jinja Shrine

These are the main noteworthy spots
around the Numakuma Area
and the northwestern partof the Numakuma Peninsula.

Mt. Nakamisen

Stone Monument(Nunakuma-jinja Shrine)●

Asahi Taxi
Yoshimura
Keishōkan ●●Flower Shop
The Site of Sakamoto
Sasayaki-bashi
Tomo Elementary
Sazanamitei ●●Ishii-chō Kaikan
Ryomaʼs Lodging … P6
BridgeSchoolHōsen-ji Temple●
Restaurant(Former Masuya●
Shōnan Clinic ●New Tomosen
Oshare Center Iseki
Seiemonʼs Residence)
Tomo ES
Shimanami Shinkin Bank●
Hayamōri Inari-jinja Shrine
Main Gate● Tomo Branch of Fukuyama City Hall
Hōmeishu Brewery:
Statue of●●Hatta Hōmeishuho ●Miyagi Michio
Hōmeishu Brewery:●
Nanzen-bō● Irie Toyozaburō Main Store
Fukuyama City
Tomonoura Parking
Temple●Taisensuirō●
Fukuyama City
(25
cars)
Shōrō-mon Gate● Ōido Well
Tomonoura Parking
One way traﬃc●
Stone
Lot 2 (20 cars)
Taishiden●
Tomonoura Museum of History andMonument●…
P7
Folklore/TomoCastleRuins●
Approx. 15 min.
●
BUS
ChitoseJizō-in Temple
Amidai-ji
Shiomachi-chaya
Yotsukado
Kuromoto
BUS●● Tomo Seaside Hotel
Tomonotsu
Temple●Dental Clinic
1F:Sandaime Sakuju,
Sawamura Ship Chandler
Myōen-ji Temple
Merchant House … P5
2F:Yomogi
no Sato●●Azumino inTomo Castle Sannomaru Stone Wall Tomonoura●● Jōsen-ji Temple●●
Hōmeishu ●●Chikaraishi
Iō-ji Temple … P7
Taichōrō andBrewery: Tomo Shuzō Ebisu-jinja● (Power Stones)
ShrineFukuzen-ji Temple … P7
● of Tomonoura
Namako Wall
Watasu-jinja●
Ōta●Onfunayado●
Shrine ●●Muronoki Tanka●● Tomo Police Box
Residence
Sumiyoshi-jinja IROHA●
Inscription … P7
Ebisu-jinja Shrine●
ChōsōteiNiō-mon Gate
ShrineEbisu-jinja
BUS
Benten-jima● ●Approx.
Iroha Maru
Shrine50ｍ
1
Heisei Iroha Maru Island … P9●
50 m
Museum … P7
BUS●
Ferry Port
Tomokō
Fukuyama●●
Pay Parking
BUS
Kōtsu
Small Shrine
Lot
(35
cars)
To Sensui-jima Island
Tomokō
for Hiraga Gennai● Migiwatei Ochi Kochi
Gangi … P4
Tomonoura a café
EnouraStone Monument ●Stone Monument Inscribed(Access to ascending way to Kyōmeirō)with Haiku
by Matsuo Bashō●●Hashiri-jima
To Onomichi
Nagaya-mon Gate
Island Ferry
Murakami Bakery of the Okamoto
Ticket Oﬃce
● Residence … P5…
Ōta Residence P5 Prefectural Pier
JA Fukuyama ●(Hōmeishu Brewery: Okamoto
Enpuku-ji Temple
Tomo Branch
Kametarō Main Store)
The Site of the Exiled●
To Hashiri-jima Island
Taigashima Castle Ruins

To Numakuma●
Amochinmi
Taishō no Sato

Local
Recommended
Spots

Sensui-jima Island

Uki-jima Island● Selco

BUS●
Tomonoura
Hayashi
Residence Tomonotsu Museum●
Ikunaga ●Photo Printing
and Cameras

Tomo
Komatsu-dera
Myōren-ji Central Park
TempleTempleBurial Mound for●
the Severed Headof Yamanaka Shikanosuke Jōkan-ji
Temple●15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
15・35・55
35
05・35
05・35

● Hiroshima Bank

Zengyō-ji Temple
Hongan-ji Temple

Nunakuma-jinja Shrine … P7

100m

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

● Public Phone

Tomo Gokoku-jinja
ShrineNunakuma-jinja
Shrine Noh Stage▲

10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・5030・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
10・30・50
30
00・30
00・30

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

From Sensui-jima Island← To
Hiroshima

Chugoku Expressway Tojo I.C.

Fukuyama-nishi I.C.
Shin-Onomichi

Sanyo Shinkansen

Sanyo Expressway
Fukuyama

Fukuyama-higashi I.C.

To →Okayama■Via Expressway
Exit Fukuyama-higashi I.C., then drive 30 minutes south
to Tomo via Route 182

Extensive Sightseeing Course

Tomonoura■Onomichi◀ (Approx. 20 min. by JR) ▶Fukuyama→Tomonoura■Kurashiki◀ (Approx. 30 min. by JR) ▶Fukuyama→Tomonoura
■

■

■

■

15