What to know
Tomonoura (鞆の浦) is a port town at the southern tip of Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Nestled in a bay on the Seto Inland Sea, this charming fishing village boasts a nostalgic atmosphere with its well-preserved old townscape. It is part of the Setonaikai National Park.
During the age of sailboats, Tomonoura thrived as a stopover for merchant ships waiting for favorable tides along the Seto Inland Sea. The bustling port fueled local industries, including the production of homeishu, a medicinal liquor made from shochu and 16 herbs, believed to promote longevity.
In recent years, Tomonoura has gained fame as a filming location for international and Japanese movies, such as "The Wolverine" starring Hugh Jackman and Studio Ghibli's "Ponyo on the Cliff." The port town depicted at the start of "Ponyo on the Cliff" was modeled after Tomonoura.
The old town center features photogenic alleys lined with rustic wooden houses. Several shops sell homeishu, the local medicinal liquor. The waterfront is dotted with small boats, showing the port's ongoing activity. Here are some attractions around the town center: