Tomonoura Guide: Hiroshima’s Old Harbour Town in Half a Day (Getting There, Parking and Sunset)

Quick answer: Tomonoura is a small Edo-period harbour town on the tip of a peninsula south of Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture. Its symbol is the Joyato, a stone lantern that once guided ships into port. The town is compact enough to see in half a day. From JR Fukuyama Station it’s about 30 minutes by bus (¥580). If you drive, use the public car parks and don’t try to take your car into the narrow old streets. Stay until evening if you can: the harbour is beautiful at sunset.

I’ve been to Tomonoura once, by car, and spent my time walking around the harbour and the old streets near the Joyato lantern. Here’s what you need to plan a visit.

Why go to Tomonoura?

For centuries, ships crossing the Seto Inland Sea waited at Tomonoura for the tide to turn, and the town grew rich as a port. Much of its Edo-period harbour survives: stone steps down to the water (gangi), a stone breakwater, an old ship-repair beach, and narrow lanes of wooden merchant houses. It’s one of the best places in the region to imagine what an Inland Sea port looked like before modern times.

What to see

The Joyato lantern and the old harbour

The Joyato (常夜燈) is a stone lantern built in 1859 that worked as a lighthouse. It stands 5.5 m tall — 11 m if you count its base under the sea — and is said to be one of the largest Edo-period harbour lanterns still standing in Japan. This is the photo everyone takes, and the place I’d start.

From the lantern, walk along the harbour and into the lanes behind it. The town is small: I’d say you can see the main area on foot in half a day without rushing.

Other sights (if you have time)

I didn’t visit these myself, but they’re the town’s other well-known sights:

• Taichoro at Fukuzenji temple — a guest hall built around 1690, famous for its framed view of the islands offshore. ¥300.
• Sensuijima island — a small island about 5 minutes by ferry from the harbour (¥240 return).
• Homeishu — a sweet medicinal liqueur that Tomonoura has made since the Edo period. Several old shops sell and offer it, and the Ota House (a former homeishu merchant’s house, ¥400, closed Tuesdays) is open to visitors.
• Iroha Maru Museum — about a ship connected with Sakamoto Ryoma, the famous samurai of the Meiji Restoration era. ¥200. Opening days are limited, so check before you go.

The Tomonoura Historic Sites Coupon (¥1,900) covers the return bus from Fukuyama plus Taichoro, the Iroha Maru Museum, the Ota House and the history museum. It’s sold at the Fukuyama Station tourist office.

Stay for the sunset

If you can, stay until the evening. In my experience, the harbour around the Joyato is especially beautiful in the evening, at sunset.

Getting there

By bus from Fukuyama Station

• Tomotetsu Bus “Tomo Line” from stop No. 5 at JR Fukuyama Station. For Fukuyama itself, see Fukuyama Rose Festival and Castle.
• About 30 minutes to “Tomonoura” (¥580) or 32 minutes to “Tomoko” (Tomo Port, ¥620).
• Buses run roughly every 30 minutes. The last bus back from Tomoko leaves around 21:18 on weekdays and 20:28 on weekends — check the latest timetable.
• Fukuyama is on the Sanyo Shinkansen: about 25 minutes from Hiroshima on the fastest trains.

By car

Tomonoura is about 35 minutes from Fukuyama-Higashi IC. Here’s my main piece of advice: the streets in the old town are very narrow, and cars can’t easily pass each other. Park at one of the public car parks on the edge of town and walk in.

The large Kaji car park has by far the most spaces. If you’re coming from the Onomichi side, use the new Tomo Mirai Tunnel (opened 2025), which bypasses the town centre.

See Renting a Car in Shikoku and Driving in Rural Shikoku for tips on narrow roads.

Combine it with Onomichi

Tomonoura is in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, close to Onomichi and the start of the Shimanami Kaido. It’s easy to visit both on the same trip. See Onomichi Guide and Shimanami Kaido: Bike or Car?.

FAQ

How long do I need in Tomonoura?
Half a day is enough for the harbour and old streets. Add time for Sensuijima island or the museums.

How do I get to Tomonoura?
Bus from JR Fukuyama Station, about 30 minutes (¥580).

Can I drive into the town?
You can, but the old streets are very narrow. Use the public car parks.

When is the best time to visit?
In the evening, so you can see the harbour at sunset.

Bus fares, parking and fees checked on the official Tomotetsu, Hiroshima Prefecture and Fukuyama tourism websites on 24 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.