Onomichi (尾道市, Onomichi-shi) is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Onomichi
尾道市
Senkō-jiJōdo-ji
Onomichi Movie MuseumInnoshima Castle
Onomichi Panorama
Flag of Onomichi
Official seal of Onomichi
Map
Location of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture
Location of Onomichi
Onomichi is located in Japan
Onomichi
Onomichi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°25′N 133°12′E / 34.417°N 133.200°E / 34.417; 133.200
CountryJapan
RegionChūgoku (San'yō)
PrefectureHiroshima Prefecture
Government
 • MayorYuko Hiratani
Area
 • Total285.11 km2 (110.08 sq mi)
Population
 (March 31, 2023)
 • Total129,314
 • Density450/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1-15-1 Kubo, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken 722-8501
ClimateCfa
Websitewww.city.onomichi.hiroshima.jp
Symbols
FlowerSakura
TreeSakura

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.[1] The total area of the city is 285.11 square kilometres (110.08 sq mi).

Geography

edit

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.

Adjoining municipalities

edit

Hiroshima Prefecture

Climate

edit

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).[2] 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.[3]

Climate data for Ikuchi-jima, Onomichi (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1979−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.4
(61.5)
20.4
(68.7)
22.2
(72.0)
27.5
(81.5)
32.0
(89.6)
34.2
(93.6)
36.0
(96.8)
37.8
(100.0)
36.0
(96.8)
33.0
(91.4)
25.1
(77.2)
20.9
(69.6)
37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.5
(49.1)
9.9
(49.8)
13.0
(55.4)
18.1
(64.6)
22.9
(73.2)
26.0
(78.8)
30.0
(86.0)
31.9
(89.4)
28.3
(82.9)
22.8
(73.0)
17.2
(63.0)
11.9
(53.4)
20.1
(68.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.7
(42.3)
5.8
(42.4)
8.6
(47.5)
13.4
(56.1)
18.1
(64.6)
21.8
(71.2)
25.9
(78.6)
27.5
(81.5)
24.1
(75.4)
18.6
(65.5)
12.9
(55.2)
8.0
(46.4)
15.9
(60.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.6
(34.9)
1.3
(34.3)
3.8
(38.8)
8.5
(47.3)
13.4
(56.1)
18.2
(64.8)
22.5
(72.5)
24.0
(75.2)
20.6
(69.1)
14.6
(58.3)
8.7
(47.7)
3.8
(38.8)
11.8
(53.2)
Record low °C (°F) −4.7
(23.5)
−6.3
(20.7)
−4.0
(24.8)
−1.2
(29.8)
3.4
(38.1)
9.8
(49.6)
15.6
(60.1)
17.4
(63.3)
11.4
(52.5)
4.7
(40.5)
−0.6
(30.9)
−3.0
(26.6)
−6.3
(20.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 39.5
(1.56)
49.7
(1.96)
84.4
(3.32)
88.9
(3.50)
108.3
(4.26)
172.3
(6.78)
177.6
(6.99)
89.5
(3.52)
126.8
(4.99)
95.9
(3.78)
59.2
(2.33)
46.2
(1.82)
1,138.4
(44.82)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 5.3 6.9 9.2 9.1 8.5 10.8 9.1 6.2 8.5 7.0 6.2 6.3 93.1
Mean monthly sunshine hours 141.9 140.1 177.0 192.1 206.5 149.7 189.9 220.7 163.7 169.8 146.2 140.8 2,047.1
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][2]

Demographics

edit

Per Japanese census data, the population of Onomichi in 2020 is 131,170 people.[4] Onomichi has been conducting censuses since 1960.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1950 185,084—    
1955 183,338−0.9%
1960 182,497−0.5%
1965 181,038−0.8%
1970 183,325+1.3%
1975 185,503+1.2%
1980 180,901−2.5%
1985 177,532−1.9%
1990 166,930−6.0%
1995 159,890−4.2%
2000 155,200−2.9%
2005 150,225−3.2%
2010 145,217−3.3%
2015 138,626−4.5%
2020 131,170−5.4%
Onomichi population statistics[4]

History

edit
 
Onomichi in 1930

Government

edit
 
Onomichi City Hall

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, the city is divided between the Hiroshima 5th district and Hiroshima 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Crime and safety

edit

The Kyodo-kai yakuza syndicate is based in Onomichi.[5] The Kyodo-kai is the second largest yakuza group in the Chugoku region after the Hiroshima-based Kyosei-kai.[6]

Economy

edit

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.

Manufacturing

edit

Shipbuilding[7]

edit

Metalworking

edit

Chemistry

edit

Agriculture

edit

Fishery

edit

Media

edit

Bookselling

edit

Education

edit

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.

Transportation

edit

Railway

edit

  JR WestSan'yō Shinkansen

  JR West (JR West) - San'yō Main Line

Highways

edit

Sister city relations

edit

Local attractions

edit

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.[8]

A panoramic view of Onomichi

Temples

edit

Shrines

edit

Castles

edit

Parks and gardens

edit

Museums

edit

Beaches

edit
  • Shimanami Beach
  • Ohamasaki Camp Site
  • Setoda Sunset Beach
  • Setoda B & G Marine Center
  • Tachibana Beach
  • Iwashijima Beach on Iwashijima Island

Hot springs

edit
  • Harada-cho Yujin Hot spring
  • Mitsugi Yu Yu-Kan
  • Natural Spa Onomichi Fureai no Sato
  • Yoro onsen

Others

edit

Festivals

edit
  • Onomichi Minato Matsuri – the Port Festival – April
  • Onomichi Sumiyoshi Hanabi Matsuri – Fireworks – the last Sunday of July
  • Innoshima Suigun Matsuri – at Suigun Castle – August
  • Onomichi Betcha Matsuri – November 1–3
edit

The city is featured in the Japanese film Tokyo Story (1953) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, and became more famous during 80s and 90s decade thank to Nobuhiko Obayashi movies, 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.

Books

edit

Films

edit

Drama

edit

Manga

edit

Anime

edit

Video games

edit

Notable people from Onomichi

edit

Musicians

edit

Go players

edit

Sports

edit

Authors/artists

edit

Voice Actor

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Onomichi city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  3. ^ a b 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Hiroshima (Japan): Cities, Towns and Villages in Prefecture - Population Statistics, Charts and Map". www.citypopulation.de.
  5. ^ "2010 Police White Paper Chapter 2 : Furtherance of Organized Crime Countermeasures", 2010, National Police Agency (in Japanese)
  6. ^ "The Second Kyodo-kai", 20 February 2008, Matsue Joho Center (in Japanese)
  7. ^ https://www.city.onomichi.hiroshima.jp/kaijitoshi/pdf_e/e9.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  8. ^ Hoffart, Jackie, "Nice to nestle at Japan's hometown", The Japan Times, 3 October 2008, p. 24.
  9. ^ "Senkoji Temple (English)".
  10. ^ "Komyobo Temple (English)".
  11. ^ "Tenneiji Temple (English)".
  12. ^ "Jodoji Temple (English)".
  13. ^ "Saikokuji Temple (English)".
  14. ^ "Kosanji Temple (English)". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011.
  15. ^ "National Treasure Kojoji Temple (English)".
  16. ^ "Jikoji Temple (English)".
  17. ^ "Misode Shrine in English".
  18. ^ "Onomichi City Tourist Spots (English)".
  19. ^ "Onomichi City Tourist Spots (English)".
edit