Onomichi Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 120 Mbps (Fiber is standard in most guesthouses) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 JPY ≈ 0.0067 USD (March 2026). Major banks: Hiroshima Bank, Momiji Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable and high quality. |
| 🔌 Power |
100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Flat two-pin) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Ubigi (eSIM), Sakura Mobile, or Mobal (Pickup at Hiroshima Airport) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Wise, Revolut, and Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Miharashi-tei (Historic Villa), Onomichi Guest House Fuji-mura |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Improving; PayPay is dominant, but small shops in the shopping arcade still require cash. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb (Starting at ¥8,000/night), Anago-no-Nedoko (Guesthouse) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Onomichi Backpackers (approx. ¥3,500/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Around Onomichi Station and the Hondori Shopping Arcade |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Mkaishima Island (accessible by ferry, quieter and more scenic for long stays) |
| 🏙️ City |
Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan |
| 👥 Population |
130,000 |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
ONOMICHI SHARE (¥1,100/day, located on the waterfront with harbor views) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Classico Coffee Roaster (Excellent Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere) |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Creative Meetups at Onomichi Share; Digital Nomad Onomichi Facebook Group |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Friday night mixers at 'The Onomichi' bar and guest house |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
JapanTaxi or GO App (Uber is limited to premium taxis) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Shimanami Rental Cycle (¥2,000/day) at Onomichi Port |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Tachibana Beach on Mukaishima Island (15 mins by bike/ferry) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Ibex Airlines (Flying into Hiroshima Airport HIJ) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
ANA, JAL, and Cathay Pacific (via Hiroshima or Okayama) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Nishi-Seto Expressway (Shimanami Kaido) connecting Honshu to Shikoku |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
JR Onomichi Station (Sanyo Main Line); Shin-Onomichi Station (Shinkansen) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
ICOCA/Pasmo cards accepted; Onomichi 1-Day Bus Pass (¥600) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
JR Train to Hiroshima (75 mins), Ferry to Setoda or Mukaishima |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Onomichi General Hospital (Large facility with some English-speaking staff) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Mukaishima Yoga Studio; Onomichi Wellness Center 'Koreka' |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Every Fitness Onomichi (24/7 access, approx. ¥7,000/month) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Coin Laundry 'Laundry Café' near the Shopping Arcade |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Demae-can (Wolt is also increasingly available) |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Onomichi Ramen (Soy-based with pork fat) at 'Shukaen' or 'Kuishinbo' |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Kogitsune (Tofu and vegetable-focused creative cuisine) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Onomichi Pudding at 'Common' near the ropeway |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Halows Supermarket (Large 24-hour grocer), Onomichi Hondori Arcade |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon.co.jp, Rakuten |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Aeon Net Super |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Shinkaichi (Historic entertainment district with small izakayas) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Onomichi Brewery (Housed in a 100-year-old warehouse) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Nora (Natural wine and small plates) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Hashimaki (Rolled Okonomiyaki) stalls in the arcade |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Pizzeria Tianda (Authentic Italian pizza) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Senko-ji Temple (Mountaintop temple with city views) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Onomichi City Museum of Art (Designed by Tadao Ando) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
The Temple Walk (Path connecting 25 historic temples) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Jodo-ji Temple (A National Treasure) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Onomichi Minato Matsuri (Port Festival in April) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Cat Alley (Neko no Hosomichi) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Bingo Onomichi Cultural Center |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Onomichi Morning Market (near the city hall, Saturday mornings) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
B-1 (Small live house for local indie bands) |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Painted cat stones (Fuku-ishi-neko) throughout the hillside |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Onomichi Hiroba (Cooking classes focusing on seasonal fish) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Gallery IROHA |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Saigoku-ji Temple Niomon Gate |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Kitamaebune shipping history heritage sites |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Shimanami Kaido cycling route (Starts in Onomichi) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Setonaikai National Park (Japan's first national park) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The 70km cycling path to Imabari |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Senkoji Park Observatory (360-degree views of the islands) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
The shores of Mukaishima Island |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Ushima Island campsites (Short boat ride away) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) - service points at most 7-Elevens |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
PC Depot Hiroshima-Onomichi branch |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Onomichi City Gymnasium |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Onomichi Japanese Language School |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Onomichi City Library (Near the waterfront) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Onomichi Citizens Center (Mukaishima) |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Internet Cafe Comic Buster (Available in nearby Fukuyama) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Maruhan Pachinko (Pachinko is the only legal gaming hall) |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥7.5M / $50k) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥120,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥3.6M / $24k - Akiya/Abandoned houses can be much cheaper) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥280,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥14M / $94k) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥150,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥7.5M / $50k) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥21M / $140k) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥12.6M / $85k) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Approx. 23.2% (National) + local taxes (~30-34% effective) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
20.42% for non-residents |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Residential tax based on previous year's income; worldwide income for permanent residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
45% (plus 10% local inhabitant tax) |
| 🧾 VAT |
10% (8% for food/takeaway) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, applicable if foreign tax rate is below 20% |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
1.4% of the assessed value of the property annually |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
3-4% Real Estate Acquisition Tax + Registration Tax |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Japan Digital Nomad Visa (up to 6 months) requires ¥10M annual income; no specific tax break beyond bilateral treaties. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING ONOMICHI