Essentials
- City
- Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- 130,000
- 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)
Working and Networking
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.