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Cat lovers gather in Onomichi - searching cats

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Cat lovers gather in Onomichi - searching cats

 

 
 

Onomichi in Hiroshima is a city, surrounded by its famous mountains and the sea giving it a overwhelming atmosphere. You can enjoy the view from symbol of the city "Senkouji", strolling around paths and tasting great food in the shopping districts. Lets keep our eyes open for the cats while walking around the city.


*July 9th, 2018 Update - The rain disaster of July 2018 in Western Japan might have affected some facilities and public transportation. If you're travelling or planning to travel in this area please check the latest information. The current situation might differ from what described in this website, so please be careful. -->

 

Lets start our trip from the symbol of Onomichi, Senkouji Temple


Senkouji Temple is on the hillside of Senkouji mountain. One of the highlights of Onomich is the view from Senkouji Temple and Senkouji Park viewing platform, which gives you an unbroken vies over the whole city. There is a cable car to the summit of the mountain, which is highly recommended to use.
 
cable car

Senkouji is a famous temple for Shingon buddhism, which was said to be created in the year 806. Its vermillion laquered main temple is widely-known.
 
Senkouji

Senkouji | 千光寺
Address: 15-1 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima 
Hours: Free to see
Entrance fee: none
Website (Japanese only): http://www.senkouji.jp/
 

Meet the friendly cats on the narrow streets. 


Lets search for the cats on the narrow streets while descending, after our visit to Senkouji Temple. Chances are higher to meet more cats, when the weather is good. The cats are not afraid strangers and so cute.
 
cat

Proceeding for about 200 meters on the hill road, there is a connection to the "cat path".  There you will find lit-up cafes, bars, art museums and old Japanese houses between the wild-growing trees. Just like in the world of an Ghibli movie.

 
cat path

One of the main attractions on the cat path is the "Maneki Neko Art Museum in Onomichi". The artist Shunji Sonoyama from Onomichi collected  about 3000 maneki-neko on stone, glass, Japanese paper and even wooden signboards from all over Japan. These are all displayed in his museum.
 
Maneki Neko Art Museum

Maneki Neko Art Museum in Onomichi | 招き猫美術館 in 尾道
Address: 19-26 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Hours: 11:00am~5:00pm (Sat. Sun., Hol. 10:00am)
Closed Wednesdays
Entry fee: 300 yen
Website (Japanese only): http://ihatov.in/

On the other side of the museum is a speciality store, which is often visited by cats from the neighborhood. On a quick look, the store sells mainly cat goods.
 
 Le chat

Cat goods store Le chat
Address: 15-21 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Hours: 1:00pm~5:00pm (Weekends from 11:00am)
Closed Wednesdays

Another way to enjoy the cat path is to find these little fortune-stone -cats, which are spread all over the alley. These cats painted on round stones are also masterpieces of Shunji Sonoyama. They are said to bring good luck in love or business depending on their type.
 
little fortune-stone -cats
 
Also the "Onomichi Ihatov cat festival " (Date: 3 - 4 May 2017) is planned to be held on the cat path. 
 

Not to miss the Onomichi Gourmet


The representative food for Onomichi Gourmet is Onomichi Ramen. We recommend Onomichi Ramen Ichibankan, whis was also introduced by the Michelin Guide. An intense soysauce flavoured soup, topped with fatty pork, stimulating your appetite. A soft, thick piece of roasted pork gives the soup a certain weight and volume.
 
Ajitama Ramen
Ajitama Ramen 670 Yen

Onomichi Ramen Ichibankan | 尾道らーめん壱番館
Address: 2-9-26 Tsuchidocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Hours: 11:00am~7:00pm
Closed Fridays (open on holidays)
Website (Japanese only): http://www.f-ichibankan.com/


There is no Hiroshima Okonomiyaki without Onomichiyaki. Gizzard and squid tempura are some special ingredients of the Onomichiyaki. The crunchy texture of the gizzard are addicting. 
 
Onomichiyaki Deluxe
Onomichiyaki Deluxe (Soba) 850 Yen

Jiguzagu | じぐざぐ
Adress: 3-23 Higashigoshocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Hours: 11:30am~2:00pm, 5:00pm~9:00pm
Closed Mondays
 

Relaxing time with coffee and sweets


A stroll through Onomichi is also good for a coffee and sweets tour. One sweet you want not to miss is the Onomichi pudding. This pudding made from selected ingredients, which is rich in flavor is easy to recognize, thanks to the cat mark on its bottle. The transparent, fish-shaped bottle comes with Setouchi lemon syrup, attached with a rubber band. The sour lemon fits the sweet pudding  just right.
 
Onomichi pudding
(left) matcha pudding  (right) Onomichi pudding 324 Yen each

Oyatsu & Yamaneko | おやつとやまねこ
Address: 3-1 Higashigoshocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00
Closed Mondays (closed on the next day, if Monday is a holiday)
Website (Japanese only): http://www.ittoku-go.com/oyatsu/

These soft and fluffy tofu donuts are the perfect snack. There are various tastes you can choose from, like butter, matcha milk or the plain donut. 
 
Peanuts cream
Peanuts cream 200 yen

Yuuyake cafe donuts | 夕やけカフェドーナツ
Address: 1-15-21 Tsuchido, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Hours: 10:00am~6:30pm
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open on holidays) 
Website (Japanese only): http://www.yuyakecafe.com/


This cafe is famous for its cute latte art. You can also request your own latte art motive. We requested the typical Onomichi cats.
 
Matcha Latte
Matcha latte art 600 Yen

Latte Heart Cafe | ラテハートカフェ
Address: 1-3-2 Kurihara-nishi, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
Business hours: 9:00am~5:00pm
Closed Tuesdays
Website (Japanese only): https://latteheartcafe0120.jimdo.com/


Other than that you can get the Showa atmosphere on the Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street. You might find your favorite shop between these interesting shops. 
 
shopping street
 

Searching cats as you like in nostalgic Onomichi.


We heared that Onomichi is the city of cats and had a lot of cat encounters here and there. There are friendly cats, wary cats, cats taking sun baths on roofs, be prepared to see lots of them. Lets enjoy the breathtaking view and nice encounters with the cats on the tour in the hills. 
 
Searching cats_2


In the next article, we will introduce you to one main attraction of Onomichi, the ONOMICHI U2.


 

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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 05 29,2017 Author:DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team

 

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