Onomichi

Onomichi (尾道市, Onomichi-shi) is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
As of 31 January 2023, the city had an estimated population of 129,314 in 64055 households and a population density of 450 persons per km². The total area of the city is 285.11 square kilometres (110.08 sq mi).
Onomichi is located in southeastern Hiroshima Prefecture. It faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south, and the coastline is intricate and forms part of the Setonaikai National Park. The main urban concentration is in a narrow band on the coast, where there is very little flat land. Because of its unique scenery, it is often used as a filming location for movies.
Hiroshima Prefecture
Onomichi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by cool to mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average annual temperature in Onomichi is 15.9 °C (60.6 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,138.4 mm (44.82 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F), and lowest in January, at around 5.7 °C (42.3 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Onomichi was 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) on August 15, 2024; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −6.3 °C (20.7 °F) on 26 February 1981.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Onomichi in 2020 is 131,170 people. Onomichi has been conducting censuses since 1960.
Onomichi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 26 members. Onomichi contributes three members to the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, Onomichi is part of the Hiroshima 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Prior to 2022, part of the city was in Hiroshima 6th district.
The Kyodo-kai yakuza syndicate is based in Onomichi. The Kyodo-kai is the second largest yakuza group in the Chugoku region after the Hiroshima-based Kyosei-kai.
Onomichi has prospered as a port town and a commercial city. Before World War II, it had an economy comparable to that of Hiroshima City. Shipyards have existed in Onomichi, Mukaishima, and Innoshima for a long time due to their location, which is blessed with water transport. In recent years, the shipbuilding industry has been in decline.
Onomichi features 24 public elementary schools, 16 public junior high schools, and one public high school operated by the City Government. Additionally, six public high schools fall under the administration of the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education. The city also hosts one private middle school and one private high school, contributing to a diverse educational landscape. Moreover, the prefecture operates two special education schools for individuals with disabilities. It is also the location of Onomichi City University, a municipal university.
JR West – San'yō Shinkansen
JR West (JR West) - San'yō Main Line
The city is known for its many temples such as the Buddhist Senkō-ji Temple (founded in the 9th century), has a shipbuilding yard and a motor factory. It offers a steamship service to ports of northern Shikoku and islands in the Inland Sea.
The city is featured in the Japanese film Tokyo Story (1953) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, and became more famous during 80s and 90s decade thanks to Nobuhiko Obayashi movies, such as Exchange Students (1982), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (1983), Lonely Heart (1985) or Goodbye for Tomorrow (also distributed under the titles Tomorrow or Ashita) [ja; cy] (1995), that were very popular between 80s teen generation. It is the setting for the fantasy 2005 anime series Kamichu! which faithfully depicts many of the city's features and landmarks. Events of the Blue Drop series also happen in this city. It is also the setting of the romantic manga Pastel by Toshihiko Kobayashi. The video game Yakuza 6: The Song of Life features a fictional district of Onomichi named Jingaicho based on the downtown area of the city as the main location in the story.