Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street retains a strong sense of Showa-era nostalgia, while also hiding many innovative and cute little shops. Walking through it, you can almost feel the determination of local young people working in their own way to preserve this old city.
The shopping street is lined with over a hundred stores, including artsy little shops, unique restaurants, and local snacks. You could easily spend an entire afternoon slowly exploring this area alone.
Life moves slowly in Onomichi, without the noise and rush of a big city. This relaxed and peaceful atmosphere is exactly what makes Onomichi so charming, and it's something other big cities simply can't replace.
Onomichi Hondori (Main street) Shopping district | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Kure Nakadori Shopping Street (Rengadori Brick Lane)
A 420-meter-long arcade shopping street in the center of Kure City. In 1990, Japan's first retractable arcade was installed.
If you're looking for a restaurant to take a break and have a meal in the shopping street, Calm Cafe might be a good choice. Tucked away in an alley with an inconspicuous entrance, I found this cute little place while following the “Naval Curry Restaurant Guide” I picked up at the station.
The atmosphere inside is cozy, and there's also a small bar area. That evening, we enjoyed rich naval curry and watched a game with the regulars. It felt like we were part of the locals' everyday life, making it an unforgettable experience. -
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Strawberry Picking Park & Strawberry Cafe Kunouya
A strawberry-picking park with an attached cafe in the Kunou area, a popular strawberry-picking destination lined with many greenhouses along National Route 150 facing Suruga Bay.
Picking strawberries in Japan was a novel experience. Within the allotted time, you can enjoy as many fresh strawberries as you like, including quite a few special varieties that are hard to find in regular supermarkets. Every strawberry was plump and juicy, very sweet, and not too tart, making them incredibly satisfying to eat. Since strawberries aren't exactly cheap, you get your money's worth after eating just a few〜 It's great for both families with children and couples on a date. I was so full by the end and felt very satisfied.
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JMSDF Kure Museum
A submarine “Akishio” fulfilled various missions from 1986 to 2004, opens to the public as a museum in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) Kure Museum which is called “Iron Whale Museum”. This is the only museum in Japan where you can explore the inside of a submarine used in the past.
The Iron Whale Museum is a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force history museum that mainly introduces the history of the JMSDF and Kure City. A decommissioned submarine is displayed outside, and you can actually go inside to see the cramped spaces where the crew lived and worked. Photography is not allowed inside.
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