Enjoy strolling along Onomichi's retro shopping street


2020.06.11

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

Enjoy strolling along Onomichi's retro shopping street

Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture is a classic port town that is home to the historic Senkoji Temple and the bike-able Shimanami Kaido bridge that connects Japan's main island, Honshu, with Shikoku. Strolling around the Onomichi Hondori Shotengai (Shopping Street) is a popular way to fully immerse yourself in this quaint town, which is filled with cozy cafes and hip artisan shops. If you like to check out local sweets and crafts, read on and plan a day trip to Onomichi.

  • 01

    Uniquely charming local stores

    Oyatsu to Yamaneko

    Oyatsu to Yamaneko

    Your first stop in Onomichi should be Oyatsu to Yamaneko (“Sweets and Wildcats”). Look for an orange and yellow-striped roof and you will soon find this retro-style sweets shop. Their specialty, Onomichi Pudding (385 yen incl. tax), is served in a glass milk bottle with a cat motif. They use local milk and eggs as the main ingredients, and the mellow flavor of custard will instantly fill your mouth. The pudding comes with a lemon syrup, which adds a pleasant, citrusy accent to this delectable treat.

    Onomichi Pudding 385 yen

    Onomichi Pudding 385 yen

    Oyatsu to Yamaneko
    rating

    4.5

    40 Reviews
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Onomichishi Higashigoshochou 3-1
    phone
    0848235082
    opening-hour
    11:00-17:00 (closes when sol…
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    Confiture de Onomichi

    Confiture de Onomichi

    Confiture de Onomichi is a small jam store packed with natural, additive-free fruit jams. Many of their jams use fresh oranges and lemons that are grown in Hiroshima, and they make the perfect gift to take back home. The store's signature Hassaku Orange and Earl Gray Jam goes particularly well with yogurt.

    Confiture de Onomichi

    Confiture de Onomichi

    Sosaku Jam Kobo Onomichi
    rating

    4.5

    2 Reviews
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Onomichishi Tsuchidou 1-3-35
    phone
    0848249220
    opening-hour
    11:30-17:30
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    Cafe Yu Yu

    Cafe Yu Yu

    Cafe Yu Yu is an atmospheric cafe that’s built inside an old public bath. They’ve retained the original charm of the bathhouse in some places, including wooden shoe boxes and mirrors. You can find a delightful tangerine shaved ice and Onomichi ramen set at this cafe.

    ゆーゆー
    place
    広島県尾道市土堂1-3-20
    phone
    0848255505
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    no image
    Keima Kamaboko

    Keima Kamaboko

    Keima Kamaboko is a fried fish cake shop with more than 100 years of history. Using fresh seafood caught in the Seto Inland Sea, they offer a variety of fish cakes that are shaped in different forms, including Shogi pieces and persimmons.

    Keima Kamaboko Shoten
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Onomichishi Tsuchidou 1-9-3
    phone
    0848252490
    opening-hour
    9:00-17:00
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  • 02

    Must-visit cafe and sweets shop

    Coffee Stand Around

    Coffee Stand Around

    Coffee Stand Around is right opposite Cafe Yu Yu and features wide, wooden-framed windows. Plain white walls and stylish coffee machines decorate the interior, attracting curious travelers and coffee lovers. This coffee house is operated by the Onomichi-based roastery Classico, so the quality of their coffee beans is guaranteed. The Iced Caffe Latte (495 yen) and Caramel Latte (495 yen) harmoniously unite the rich flavor coffee with fresh, local milk.

    Coffee Stand Around

    Coffee Stand Around

    アラウンド
    place
    広島県尾道市土堂1-8-12
    phone
    0848-38-2330
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    no image
    Berry

    Berry

    Berry is a take-out only strawberry parfait shop that is located on National Route 2, but you can find their cute cat-motif signs around the shotengai. They have four different types of parfait: Berry Small (800 yen), Berry Plus (1,000 yen), Strawberry Flower Large (1,200 yen) and Strawberry Flower Extra-Large (1,500 yen), with t he amount of strawberries increasing with size.

    Berry

    Berry

    free plazas

    free plazas

    The shopping arcade also features several entrance-free plazas where you can relax, enjoy sweets and drinks, and plan your next stop.

  • 03

    Visit craft shops and find something special to take home

    Onomichi Creators Market

    Onomichi Creators Market

    The Onomichi Creators Market showcases unique crafts made by 20 local artisans. Hyaku's bucket-shaped tote bags (8,250 yen) feature charming patterns such as flowers, butterflies and bow-ties. These colorful bags will surely add an attractive accent to your outfit. Vague's ceramic earrings (2,200 yen) are designed with the concept of "pieces of ceramics found on a beach" and come in a variety of eclectic shapes and colors.

    Hyaku Original bag

    Hyaku Original bag

    pieces of ceramics found on a beach

    pieces of ceramics found on a beach

    Kobo Onomichi Hampu is a studio and store that stocks products made using Onomichi canvas fabrics, which are hand-woven in a local factory. Their line includes tote bags, backpacks and cosmetic bags that will gain additional charm over time. Their bucket-shaped tote bag (5,720 yen) is a perfect size for shopping and the daily commute.

    Kobo Onomichi Hampu

    Kobo Onomichi Hampu

    Kobo Onomichi Hampu

    Kobo Onomichi Hampu

    Kobo Onomichi Hanpu
    rating

    4.0

    5 Reviews
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Onomichishi Tsuchidou 2-1-16
    phone
    0848240807
    opening-hour
    10:00-18:00
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    sora studio and gallery

    sora studio and gallery

    If you want to create lasting memories of your Onomichi trip, visit the Sora studio and gallery to attend one of its pottery workshops. They offer an electric pottery wheel experience (30 mins) and a glass cat doll making experience (60 mins). They also exhibit beautiful pottery inspired by the local sunset.

    workshops

    workshops

    Shimanami sun set series

    Shimanami sun set series

    sorastudio&gallery
    place
    Hiroshima Onomichi-shi Tsuchido 2-1-23
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  • 04

    The Onomichi Hondori Shotengai is the perfect tourist spot with a neighborhood atmosphere

    Onomichi Hondori Shotengai

    Onomichi Hondori Shotengai

    Shotengai used to be important hubs in many Japanese towns and were packed with shoppers looking for groceries and essentials. However, many of these are now struggling due to depopulation and the surge in shopping malls. Onomichi was no different from other towns, but the influx of young entrepreneurs and creatives has changed the townscape completely. There are many more cool stores along the coastline and in the back alleys of the shotengai, so visit Onomichi and get lost in this charming waterfront town.

    Onomichi Ekimaehonmachi 1 Bangai Shopping street Shinko Union
    place
    Hiroshima Onomichi-shi Tsuchido 1-3-3
    phone
    0848253922
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