The Most Beautiful Japan City Nobody Talks About – Ep.5, 1 Man, 1 Pass, 1 Trip into the ‘Real Japan’
My trip to find the ‘real Japan’ is about to end – with a bang. Onomichi, the gem of Setouchi is now my favourite city in Japan. Let me tell you all about it.
I’d like to thank all of you who watched the series to be a part of this journey, I couldn’t have done it without you.
#japan #travel #vlog
38 Comments
Love your delivery style, Will, it's like a hard-boiled detective book-to-movie adaptation. Perfectly retro, just like Onomichi. I went last year and loved the vibe as well, and people are really nice. Would also recommend Shinshoji, a beautiful temple complex nearby with a spa on site and some incredible modern architecture, and Tomonoura, a super-retro port village, about an hour by bus from Fukuyama.
I stayed in Onomichi overnight in late 2023 before riding the Shimanami Kaido. I had the exact same reaction to seeing the town. It looks exactly like a town from a Ghibli movie! The hostels are quirky, the shotengai really empties out at dusk, and the views from the hill are breathtaking!
No, really breathtaking. Unlike you, I climbed the hill stairs starting from that train crossing after that short flight of stairs. I was gasping for air multiple times despite the fact that I'm relatively fit. Imagine my surprise when I reached the observation deck and saw many well-dressed Japanese girls taking pictures in their unsweaty, immaculate blouses… until I saw the cable car on the other side of the hill. I would definitely love to come again if I get the chance!
I've done this trip but did the shiminami kaido cycle ride. id recommend it. The most beautiful bicycle ride I've ever done.
@9:42 yeah something i learned from going around europe solo for a bit over 2 months in my younger days, actually 2 days or under is not long enough in any city to get a good feel. Yes time and budget is limited but we are rushed at school and work, holiday is holiday and likely never experience that place again so through away the lonely planet guidebook and just wander around, then you get the freedom blessing before the next bus/train/plane.
Fukuoka is the shit, stop talking about it
Used to live out by the shimanani kaido. Miss that part of Japan so much,
"Small town" of 130'000 inhabitants. Tell me you're American without saying so…
Hi Will, love your content! A question if I may, which month did you go there?
Seeing the thumbnail, I immediately knew, that it's Onomichi. I lived in Japan and extensively travelled through 30 prefectures but Onomichi is still my most favourite town. I went there randomly but also ended up extending my trip and even met an employee at my guesthouse who liked it so much when they have visited, that they have asked for a job there and stayed lol. Also, the shops in the shotengai are so trendy because all the young people who have visited the town and fell in love with it, moved there and opened those businesses. But you've missed some nice places (the cat alley!), you need to return:) (also to do Shimanami Kaido, which is as amazing as people say). Btw. I've never taken the ropeway, walked up every time (my guesthouse was next to the temple).
Great narration Will! Have been staying and working for 4 weeks in Onomichi and know it inside out. Yes, it's a lovely part of Japan. Also it's just a hop by Ferry to visit the nearby cute islands. My partner and I hired bikes and explored them this way, been great and can highly recommend it. Best to you.
Even with the most serene view you can't escape the realities and horrors of capitalism 😩
Like what would you rather have
A few train rides or GROCERIES FOR A MONTH
Japan capitalism is hardcore
Really lovely video. Unfortunately I think the narration does not capture the beauty of your words.
"お前、アホですね" hahahaha…
Buy a car Use google maps
Brought back a lot of nice memories, I went to all of these places last fall though I crossed the Shimanami Kaido by bike instead of by bus. Think I might have even gone to the same ramen spot in Onomichi (was okay, not a big fan of all the fatty chunks in the soup though). The Inland Sea region is easily my favourite part of Japan at this point, it's filled with these kinds of organically charming small cities. On that trip I ended up whittling down my planned time in Tokyo until it was completely out of my itinerary and I didn't regret it in the slightest.
What a lovely, well made and different travel video! The place remind me somewhat of Suma, where I lived as a child. Thank you!
Man, Japan is an amazing land, God made the country with amazing natural beauty. So please read this, is an important message, the most important message for any person actually:
We are actually fallen and corrupted creatures. We are full of injustices, wickedness, lies and evil. Every human being have the same problem, since the fall of Adam, our hearts are actually seek and go to do evil. We all say lies. We all steal something, even something small or without "importance". We all fall in sexual inmorality like having sex before marrige, or cheat your wife/husband, watch pornography, look other people with lust and corrupted desires, look them in the street, social media, internet, etc. We all hate someone in our hearts, that's actually consider to be a killer in the eyes of God. We all fail and we do horrible things in this earth. Those things I mention before are actually part of the Law of God, and WE BROKE the Law of God many many times. We are actually criminals, sinners, who made crimes against God and our neighbors.
God is our Creator, He is Holy, Good and Just and He hates evil and He punish all the wicked actions of the humans beings. He establised a day when He is going to judge every human being in all the history of this Earth, the Final Day of Jugdment. We are all guilty and in that day we going to have all the consequences of our wickedness, We all deserve the eternal condenation, Hell, the Holy and Just Wrath of God, because we broke all the Law of God. We actually have a huge problem with the infinite Justice of God, and we can't escape from that destiny, we are guilty and we can't do anything to change that. We are actually lost for ever.
But, God is very very Merciful and God knows we are actually lost for ever, so He did something. God the Father send His Son LORD Jesus Christ to save us. The God of Israel Himself becomes a human being, Jesus of Nazareth, and He die for us, He die for our sins. LORD Jesus in the cross take all the warth and punishment what we deserve for our sins and wickedness and He die for us He die for our sins. He paid the debt with the infinite Justice of God what we have. By His Grace we are save not by any human work of us because we only deserve hell only. That's why when you believe in LORD Jesus and His work of Salvation and Redemption you have salvation, redemption, forgiveness of sins, eternal life and reconciliation with God only by LORD Jesus.
LORD Jesus was dead but He rose at the third day, and He is now sit at the right hand of God His Father but He is coming back soon to the Earth as the Supreme Judge, and He will put and end to all the wicked things and evil of the humans beings for ever, including yours if you don't repent, oh, japanese people.
That's why we say to you in love and Truth, repent of your sins and wickedness and believe in LORD Jesus and His Gospel and follow Him. Without Christ you are actually lost for ever and ever.
If you die, you are going to Judgement of God, and if you don't believe and follow LORD Jesus, after the Judgement you are going to the eternal condenation for ever. That's why with a great sense of urgency take this message with extreme seriously, your life and soul are in danger: you could die today at any moment, you never know. Come to Christ Jesus, without Him we are nothing and the eternal condenation is at the door. Come to Christ oh dear people.
Blessings to you and your family, greetings from Chile 🇨🇱
Guess im adding Omonichi to the trip now
I continue to frighten myself on how well I remember locations from the yakuza franchise. All I needed was the stairway and train and somehow I knew this was Onomichi.
Been there a couple times. It was the setting for a handful of famous films made in the 80s.
Where's Onomichio ???
Just been recently and I'm emotional watching your video. I felt safe in Japan unlike New Zealand. Thoroughly enjoyed your delivery. Thank you.
There is no doubt that Japan today is overtourism.
No doubt, but that is only because tourists are concentrated in certain places.
There are 47 prefectures in Japan, and every region has its main tourist attractions. As a Japanese myself, there are a number of places where I wonder why foreign tourists do not come.
Of course, Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture is one of them.
If we can successfully disperse foreign tourists, we can alleviate overtourism and build a better relationship between tourists and local people.
Incidentally, my personal recommendation is Mie Prefecture.
Ise Jingu Shrine, which enshrines a female deity, the supreme deity of Shintoism and the founder of the imperial family, and the surrounding towns; the Shima region with its beautiful rias coastline; the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage site; Nagashima Spa Land, an amusement park with an outlet mall and swimming pool; Iga Ninja Village, where visitors can experience the Ninjas; and Matsuzaka beef, a Japanese beef brand for its cuisine, Although Mie's attractions are endless, the number of foreign tourists is still low.
I like your style and humor. You def sold this town to me.
Amazing series
There are many foreign youtubers vlogging about Japan but I really appreciate those who have or are watching anime or manga seriously because then you will realize how deeply Japanese anime affects your perception of Japan!!! Sometimes for me, a small street or an old staircase in Japan also makes me crazy because of some invisible beauty in my brain! thank you for filming and interpreting it from a perspective that I really like!
Hey Will,
What are the names of the ramen restaurant and the Izakaya you ate at?
I would like to try them out this coming January 2025.
Thanks in advance.
bro we got AI generated Japan tours before we got GTA 6 💀
I did that Imabari route, Google Translate will do a good job, but it is much easier if you do speak Japanese, at least enough to form basic questions and requests such as price, and "This bus goes to…", because sometimes the same stop has tends to several lines and confirming with the driver will be an easy way to avoid mistakes. I went with that little japanese and it was fine.
fun or not whatever fact, humans have a bias where they call any animal they see by male pronouns because of our patriarchal world view, which deforms our perceptions.
Coool, wondering which camera and lens did you use here!
New next destination! You are so talented
Sitting in Onimichi as I watch this. You nailed it. 🙌
i enjoy your travel vlog, so different. it makes me want to do the same- travel solo and get lost
This video makes me feel homesick for a place I've never been. Ugh I need to go to Japan.
Hey Will, just wanted to leave you a note on how lovely your videos are and how funny the editing is. My partner and I are planning a trip to Japan and your guides and tips have been a delightful resource. Thanks for these great videos and sharing your fun style and wisdom!
The soaplands here are TOP TIER