1-Day Fukuyama Tour: Castle, Tomonoura Port Town, and Sensui-jima Island Visit

Fukuyama, known as the “City of Roses,” is a beautiful and historic city located in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. Originally established as a castle town in 1619, it is now the second largest city in the prefecture, and the fourth largest in Western Honshu. By the end of the Second World War, about 80% of Fukuyama was burned down due to an air raid. Following this attack, the city underwent arduous recovery efforts, planting 1,000 roses during the rebuilding process to boost the spirits of the people. Through the hard work of its dedicated citizens, Fukuyama was able to develop into the scenic and major city that it is today.

In the present, we can admire the restorative efforts of the people of Fukuyama by visiting some of its most iconic locations. Firstly, Fukuyama Castle is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Built in 1622, it houses the only castle keep in Japan protected by iron-plates on the outside walls. This sizeable five-tiered main keep now serves as a museum providing information about the history and culture of Fukuyama and is a great opportunity for guests to learn about the events that shaped this city.

One can also not leave Fukuyama without first making a stop at the picturesque port town of Tomonoura. Located near the center of the coastline along the Seto Inland Sea, this town began to flourish as early as the 7^th century as a strategic location for boats to stop at and wait for favorable weather. It is a scenic and charming place which offers a glimpse at a fishing townscape of the past through its historic dock, shrines, and residences. Additionally, lying near the coast of Tomonoura, is the beautiful uninhabited island of Sensui-jima. Taking a peaceful stroll around this island while surrounded by nothing but lush greenery, stunning shorelines, and the sounds of nature, makes for an unforgettable experience.

This 1-Day Tour of Fukuyama is designed for those who wish to deepen their understanding of Western Japan’s history through both a castle, museum and historic townscape visit. It is also ideal for guests who are searching for some of Japan’s hidden gems, as Sensui-jima is most definitely one of them. Join us on this tour of Fukuyama to visit unique sites which can’t be observed anywhere else in Japan!

Highlights

• Explore the magnificent grounds of Fukuyama Castle and its important structures such as the Fukuju Kaikan Hall and sizeable turrets
• Enter the Fukuyama Castle Museum in the Main Tower to learn about the history of the city through detailed exhibits, informative videos, and interactive activities
• Tour the port town of Tomonoura which to this day still retains the charm and scenery of a historic Japanese townscape
• Visit relevant historic sites within Tomonoura such as the Nunakuma shrine, Joyato lighthouse, and historic residences
• Enjoy a short scenic boat ride along the Seto Inland Sea
• Explore the beautiful Sensui-jima Island, admiring its stunning beaches and nature trails
• Become mesmerized by the spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea which can be seen from different observatories around the island

*For those looking to join the tour from Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima, please see the FAQ section.

Description

This tour will begin at Fukuyama Station at 9:30 AM. Your guide will meet you outside the Shinkansen gates. From here, they will take you to your first destination, Fukuyama Castle.

When first laying eyes upon Fukuyama castle, its impressive size and layout immediately stand out to its visitors. This castle was after all built with the intention of intimidating the feudal lords in the western part of the country and demonstrating the authority of the shogunate, Japan’s military government. The castle’s many turrets and its impressive five-tiered Main Keep were meant to serve as a deterrent against rebellion from local lords living far from the capital in Edo.  As guests walk within the castle grounds and gaze upon the Castle Tower, they will be able to picture how this imposing and formidable structure might have impacted the decisions of feudal lords in the past.

Your guide will also take you inside the Main Keep, which has been converted into a museum explaining the founding of the city of Fukuyama and the history of the man who built the castle, Katsunari Mizuno. Inside the museum, guests can read exhibits, watch short videos, and participate in some interactive “challenges” to gain a better understanding of the castle’s history.

To the northeastern part of the castle grounds also lies an interesting structure known as the Fukuju Kaikan Hall. This structure was built in the 1930’s as a cultural center and features Japanese style teahouses and a western-style building laying directly next to each other. While this hall is not particularly connected to the history of Fukuyama, it is a great glimpse into the architecture of Japan around 100 years ago and provides a nice contrast to the much older castle ground structures.

We will then head back to Fukuyama station, where we will break for lunch. As a city within Hiroshima prefecture, Fukuyama is well known for its okonomiyaki and oysters. Due to its proximity to the city of Onomichi, Onomichi-style ramen is also popular in the area. If Fukuyama is the only city guests will be visiting in the prefecture, we definitely recommend trying one of these local specialties.

After lunch, we will take a bus to the scenic port town Tomonoura. This town faces the Seto Inland Sea, providing a stunning view of the coastline and several small islands near the mainland. This town originally began to flourish in the 7^th century as a place for sailors and travelers to wait for more favorable sailing weather, and it continued to prosper for many years until advancements in other transportation systems made maritime travel much less important. However, it is still possible to visit this port town and get an idea of what it would have looked like when it was bustling with people and ships in the not-so-distant past.

For such a small town, Tomonoura is packed with temples, residences, and other structures which help visitors visualize the once thriving area. At the pier, some of the facilities remaining, such as the lighthouse and tiered dock, have been around since the Edo Period. Nunakuma Shrine, an impressive Shinto Shrine nestled at the foot of a mountain and possessing a collapsable Noh theater stage, is further proof of the importance this town once held. Your guide will take you on a stroll around Tomonoura, visiting these relevant sites and providing all necessary background information so that the history of this port town unfolds before your eyes.

Lastly, we will get on a ferry and travel to the nearby Sensui-jima Island. From the ferry guests will be able to observe the enchanting Benten-jima, a deserted island located between Tomonoura and Sensui-jima, which contains a hall and pagoda dedicated to Benzaiten, who is considered the guardian deity of fishermen in Japan. While we cannot visit this island, its view from the sea is stunning nonetheless.

Once we arrive at Sensui-jima your guide will take you on a short hike throughout the small island, stopping at two different observatory hills, Senningaoka and Akaiwa, as well as two beaches, Tanoura and Hikoura. Since this is an uninhabited island, it provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy nature in a peaceful and relaxing environment. Depending on the time of the year, you might find yourself being the only person walking around the island. Visiting in spring and summer, when the camping sites and beach are mostly in use might disrupt the peace of Sensui-jima but allows for a livelier experience. This small island with its breathtaking view of the sea is truly one of the hidden gems of Hiroshima.

After we finish exploring Sensui-jima, the guide will lead you back to the port area, where you will once again board the ferry and head back to Tomonoura. From here, you will travel via bus back to Fukuyama Station, where the tour will officially come to an end. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

FUKUYAMA STATION @ 9:30 A.M.

The meetup point is in front of the Fukuyama Station JR Ticket Office. When you arrive, be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign.

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Entry fees at all tour locations
• Transportation to/from activities
• Ferry tickets (Round-Trip)

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to meeting point

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• There is a 5-minute-long ferry ride on this tour. We ask that you take precautionary measures if you are prone to experiencing seasickness.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 32 °C (90 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol, sunblock, and drinking water are highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures in Hiroshima average between 1°C-10°C. (34°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions.
• Due to tidal fluctuations and unfavorable weather, the ferry leading to Sensui-jima may suddenly cease operations during the day. Your guide will do their best to modify the itinerary and adjust to the ferry times available, but there is still a small chance that a visit to the island might not be possible due to unforeseen circumstances.