Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture! A port town full of atmosphere nestled in the Seto Inland Sea where Ryoma was also healed‼︎

Tomonoura is a small port town nestled on the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea.
It is also famous for being visited by Ryoma Sakamoto, a revolutionary at the end of the Edo period.
Joyatou, built in the Edo period, still brightens up Tomonoura as a local symbol.
So what exactly is Tomonoura?
This time, we will introduce in detail Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture, a port town full of atmosphere located in the Seto Inland Sea where Ryoma Sakamoto was also healed.

①What kind of place is Tomonoura, which Ryoma Sakamoto also visited?

The origin of the name Tomonoura is solid because the coastline of the area where Tomonoura is originally located was shaped like a bow.
The leather tool worn on the left hand when shooting a bow is called a “Tomo.”
There is a theory that this is why it came to be called Tomonoura.
In 1934, it was designated as the Seto Inland Sea National Park

▲At dusk, you can see beautiful views of the harbor.

▲Just taking a walk around the area feels nostalgic and allows you to enjoy a relaxing time.

➁History of Tomonoura

When did Tomonoura first appear in Japanese history?
The first time Tomonoura appears in Japanese history is in the Manyoshu, compiled in 759.
The Manyoshu is Japan’s oldest extant poetry collection, collected from the late 7th century to the late 8th century. It consists of 20 volumes and contains approximately 4,500 poems.
The authors range from emperors to farmers, and the locations covered in the poems cover all of Japan, from Tohoku to Kyushu.
It appears that there are at least four poems about Tomonoura.

➂What is your relationship with Ryoma Sakamoto?

Ryoma Sakamoto is a historical figure who started a revolution during the samurai era and led Japan to modernization.
Tomonoura is a place that has a deep connection with Ryoma Sakamoto. Ryoma was in the shipping business, and in May 1867, the ship he was associated with collided with a warship and sank.
The ship that sank at this time was near Tomonoura. Ryoma Sakamoto stayed in this area and negotiated compensation, successfully winning compensation.

④I will introduce the sightseeing spots of Tomonoura.

❶常夜燈（Joyatou）

Joyato is a tourist spot in Tomonoura and a symbol of Tomonoura.
A night light is a lighthouse used to guide the appearance of ships.

❷Japanese inn Iroha

This is an inn connected to Ryoma Sakamoto.
Yado Iroha is an inn that Ryoma used during the trial period when the ship he was involved with sank.

❸Touring filming locations for movies and dramas

Various locations in Tomonoura have been used as filming locations for movies and TV dramas.
The main movies and dramas are as follows.

・Holy and soft
・Ponyo on the Cliff
・Wolverine: SAMURAI
・Ryusei Wagon
・Detective Mitarai’s Case Files Star Cage Sea
・Gintama

⑤The town that was the setting for the Ghibli movie “Ponyo on the Cliff”

Tomonoura is the town that was the setting for the Ghibli movie “Ponyo on the Cliff.”
The connection between Tomonoura and “Ponyo on the Cliff” originally began when Studio Ghibli visited the area on a company trip in November 2004.
At this time, Hayao Miyazaki really liked Tomonoura, which led to the production of “Ponyo on the Cliff.”
In the movie, the entire town is depicted as the setting for “Ponyo on the Cliff.”

⑥Access information to Tomonoura

Here we will introduce access information to Tomonoura.
The address of Tomonoura is Tomo, Tomo-cho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Access information to Tomonoura is as follows.

❶For those coming by car.

〇Route for those coming to Tomonoura from Osaka/Okayama area

Osaka/Okayama ⇒ Chugoku/Sanyo Expressway ⇒ Fukuyama Higashi IC ⇒ (about 35 minutes) ⇒ National Route 182⇒ Via Irie Bridge/Ashitagawa Bridge ⇒ Tomonoura

〇Route for those coming to Tomonoura from Hiroshima/Onomichi direction

Hiroshima/Onomichi ⇒ Sanyo Expressway ⇒ Fukuyama Nishi IC ⇒ (45 minutes) ⇒ Matsunaga Road (National Route 2) toward Fukuyama ⇒ Go straight on Akasaka Bypass (National Route 2) ⇒ Tomonoura

❷For those coming by public transportation.

〇Route for those coming to Tomonoura via train and bus.

JR Sanyo Main Line ⇒ JR Fukuyama Station ⇒ JR Fukuyama Station Bus Center Platform 5 (to Tomo Port) ⇒ Tomo Tetsu Bus (approx. 30 minutes) ⇒ Tomonoura

▲Tomonoura

Summary

This time, we introduced Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture, a port town full of atmosphere nestled in the Seto Inland Sea where Ryoma was also healed.
Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a port town where many buildings built during the Edo period remain, including the local symbol, the night light.
You can also enjoy nature to the fullest while enjoying the calm scenery of the Seto Inland Sea from the port.
Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture is a tourist spot where you can immerse yourself in healing and nostalgia.
When you visit Hiroshima Prefecture, we highly recommend that you visit Tomonoura.

Nearby night view spot! ! “Kusadoyama Park Observation Deck”

It is located 25 minutes by car from Tomonoura and offers a panoramic view of the night view of Fukuyama City.

▲Kusadoyama Observation Deck