I have never been to Onomichi. I'm Japanese, and I've often heard that Onomichi has a unique atmosphere compared to other parts of Japan. I learned about Onomichi's charm and the value of visiting. Thank you!!🤗
To get the most breath taking view over the city stay at the Miharashi-tei guest house just 50-100m below senkoji temple. Go there by doorway because it is way up. Looking over the city at night while having a beer was just the best decision for me. Even when I carried all my very heavy luggage all up the mountain.😊
@@emippe226 By the way if you're thinking about doing the bike tour between Onomichi and Imabari taken your time and take two days with the bike rental. And just spend the night somewhere on the islands. I think spending the dawn at setoda sunset beach would be perfect and then spending the night in the guest house on the island. I made the cycle in one days and spend to much time relaxing on the island so I had to cycle fast and got cramps because of the many uphill cycling. There are many bridges to cycle up and down and many islands are quite hilly. You will feel it if you don't cycle everyday 80 km 😂 Have fun.
Me and my wife had a conversation about values in trips just yesterday. There are a lot of people trying to get the maximum. To go everywhere, to try everything, tick every line in their list. We’re doing it at work. So what’s the point of vacation if you work hard at your leisure time? Calm down, relax! And walking around without Google maps is a great idea! Thank you for your job! Really like Japan through your camera. ❤
Just came back last Saturday from a 2,5 week trip. Walked 245 kilometers hahah. We loved it though. Japan is really worth it. It just begs to be explored all the time
I can appreciate this sentiment however I want to extract every bit of exploration that I can. I plan to visit for 3 weeks and want to see a lot. My emphasis will be less on Tokyo and Kyoto and more on the other cities and towns and the natural beauty of Japan.
You should leave a few slow days in your trip but if you only have 2-3 weeks in a country you really should try and work hard to see as much as you can. You can be lazy and live the slow life if you travel when you're old but you're only young once so better make the most of it. Don't do it now you never will.
but these people specifically go to these places with itinerary so they can get "content" to upload it on youtube stop being fooled by media and images it'll mess ur head up
A year ago this month I rode a bike from Onomichi to Imabari along the Shimanamikaido bike path. That was the best day of my life thus far. The ride was long (50+ miles, 6 hours, somewhat hilly), but worth ever ounce of effort. The views were stunning, and the peaceful silence along the way was rejuvenating after the big city hustle. Imabari was almost as charming as Onomichi! Two blocks from the station you filmed at is a really nice onsen. Perfect for unwinding after a long day of riding. Anyway, thank you for you video. Took my right back! The market in Onomichi, the view from the top of the hill, and the quiet little middle-of-nowhere bus stop all had me spinning.
It’s crazy, I opened the comment section to write the same! Except I biked from Imabari to Onomichi and stayed there. The sunset at the docks was mesmerizing and genuinely that was the best day of my life as well. Very happy that I’m not the only one who feels that way. Thank you!
I really enjoy your delivery and story telling, it's a refreshing change from the hyper-emotive travel vlogs of others. I appreciate that you've taken this journey as well as I've been planning a cycle crossing from Imabari to Onomichi for a while, and it's nice to see what to expect in the cities themselves! These are exactly the types of moments I seek out when I'm travelling there, unassuming pockets of life and culture in regular places. Even in Kyoto and Osaka, there are local gems if you get off the beaten path. I hear a hint of Australian accent in your voice, is that where you're from?
@@Will_ZhaoI don’t hear Australian either but I want to say that when I first listened to the narration in Ferris Bueller’s day off, I said, someone needs to make a show with this style of talking. And your show is that, plus it’s about my favorite topic and you do so well at shooting and making videos! You are a gem. Thank you.
@@imlivelaffluvvson *"ferrous brûlées day off"* is that what *Ferris Bueller's Day Off* is known as in your country, or is this one of the most hilarious typos ever?
Another who had this thrust on them by the algorithm and ended up enjoying it. Like his delivery and view on travel - something about just wandering about, following your nose, discovering places. I'm half way thru a 4wk stay in Japan and this really hit the spot for me.
10:38“a touch of nostalgia…from a memory I never had”. When I first moved to Japan, despite never having been before and with very little knowledge of the country, this quote perfectly sums up how I felt about living there. I could never describe that deep pseudo-emotion but that’s the closest to description I’ve found so far. Thank you, Will!
I have been to Onomichi, it's a nice and quaint little town with the famous Temple Walk up to the Senkoji Temple. And yes, there are many cats around the area. I didn't get to stay overnight but by the looks of your experience, it would have been very enjoyable 😊 For those on a more traditional itinerary, it's quite easy to get to. You can stop at Shin Onomichi Station on the Shinkansen route then either take a taxi/bus (15-20min) into the main city area or walk the 3km yourself (approx 35-40min). The alternative is to stop at Fukuyama Station on the Shinkansen then take a local bus/train to Onomichi (20min). The benefit of stopping at Fukuyama Station is that they have coin lockers available so you can store your luggage here for the day while you go and explore Onomichi (this is what I did).
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!
I feel like I've already been here just because of how much I played Yakuza 6! Definitely will check it out in person! Maybe with luck, I will run into Ono Michio kun!
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.
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 don’t ever comment on RUclips videos .. however, I feel compelled to say thank you for all the effort you put into creating this spectacular video. My wife and I love Japan. We travel there twice a year. Loved all the storytelling and creativity. 5 stars! We are looking forward to watching more of your content. Thank you again for all the time you have invested sharing your experiences.
Nicely done, and I completely agree about finding places like this and exploring slowly, letting things unfold by chance. I chanced upon Kurobe on the west coast, and Unazaki Onsen, and did feel the "real" Japan in my bones. I had grown up in Tokyo, so it was a big surprise to me now much I enjoyed the small towns. Thank you!
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!
You travel the way I used to - no very fixed timetable, no checklist of "must see"s, just interacting with people you encounter, being told what they thought I should see of their town or village and where I should try some local speciality. Like you, sometimes I'd get lost as I wandered but as I didn't have anywhere specific I needed to be, it was part of the adventure and of course you always found your way back somehow. Those were pre-smartphone days and so perhaps somewhat easier. While I may not have had the benefit google, the people around were also not buried in their phones or taking selfies or livestreaming every second of their lives and so they were more present, more curious and for me, more memorable.
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).
Never mind the clip contains beautiful voice over, quality shorts and tones of valuable infos, but the narrator’s great sense of humor has kept me watching till the end. Now, looking forward to watch what you have in store for us. 😊
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 place, it's stunningly beautiful there!!! I am now full of envy; I'd so like to see this place and experience all the culture and atmosphere. Thank you for your video.
I totally understand how you were charmed by a place supposedly so off the beaten path. It's as if all the minutiae of daily Japanese life come together and create this theater of delight in the mundane, and the bittersweetness of a brief stay creates something poetic. Japan is the most extraordinary country...
Great video Will! I visited Onomichi in October solo as part of my 21-day JR pass journey as well. You put my thoughts about the city into words so well, the feeling of being in Onomichi really is indescribable. It was like revisiting a memory that I never had. The sunset view from the Senkoji observatory was probably one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. I stayed up there until it got dark and hiked down the mountain. I remember struggling to find dinner after it got dark, the city really does go quiet at night. The next day I ended up biking the Shinanami Kaido from Onomichi to Imabari and had to take the highway bus back to Onomichi at night. I remember feeling exactly how you did about that one bus stop in the middle of nowhere. I was on the last bus departing from Imabari and by the time I got to the bus stop it was pitch black and I was the only person there for 30 minutes not sure if the bus would even come. Good memories 😁 Everything from the cats, to the beautiful weather, the amazing inland sea and mountain views, the delicious Onomichi ramen, and chill vibe of the port town really makes Onomichi one of the best places I visited. I’ll be back one day, no doubt. Thanks again for helping me relive this memory, I’ll show this video to all my friends :)
Thank you, glad you like it. Onomichi is nothing but fond memories, I plan to revisit the city this summer bringing with me a better camera so I'd have higher quality footage to share. It's a shame that Onomichi's pretty far away from the major cities and getting there just for the sake of it isn't usually an option. But that's propbably why the city is so special to begin with.
I just returned from three weeks in Japan, and the highlight was three days spent in Onomichi, including one day when the rain poured down. It is the perfect place for wandering. The little alleys are a joy to explore at night. We also ate some of the best food of the trip there. I'm delighted that the place captured your heart as it did mine.
I know the feeling. To find your own "Onomichi" one must not seek "must-see" destinations and instead stop and dissolve into the streets. It can easily be Tokyo as well I believe - I had a similar experience when I was in New York for Nth time. I was not enjoying NY until then, but it was that day when I had no particular plans that I began to truly uncover the place. I traveled a lot since then and had both "check list" and "Onomichi-style" tourism, but I know I will always remember the "Onomichi" places.
I never thought about exploring Tokyo this way. My past trips have always been in the 'checklist' style, although there were memorable moments here and there, it's overall less engaging and organic. I should totally do it again differently.
@@Will_Zhao it's also a certain state of mind. I've noticed we're always falling out of it. The state of observation, absorbing, and true exploration. Your video is a beautiful reminder of it, thank you for this!
2:14 A station in the middle of "nowhere" & the bus is late by 20 minutes especially in Japan, I think you have every right to be worried 😅 4:01 Don't know why, but those stairs are beautiful in itself. My mind was already telling me: "at least once a dorama, movie or anime has used those stairs in a scene." 4:39 That view is just damn beautiful. Great choice by the builders to put a station there. 6:43 Cool public area. Nice vibes. 11:46 Great value there.
The best part of a trip in my opinion is getting lost in an area and exploring. Meeting wonderful friendly people, having a chat and allowing your trip to breath. Chasing time and meeting schedules just doesnt allow yourself to take it all in.
What a charming little town!! Onomichi is what I like to call a hitten Gem 💎!! A small town that's pack with Beauty and a little nature not to mention those views of the Sea are Magnificent 💟!! I'll be there in Osaka next April for 2 weeks and I might have to venture over and check ✅ out Onomichi for sure!! Amazing 🙏🏽 video and Thanks for Sharing 🧡🤍🎇🤍🧡
I haven't seen Onomichi yet, although I want to. But you need to go a bit farther west and see Takehara. The historic district, Kyoto of The West, is incredible. In animationterms, Onomichi is the town from "Kamichu" while you can see Takehara in "Tamayura". If you go, Yuki-chan, toward the southeast end of Honmachi-douri in the historic district, had good prices on excellent Hiroshima okonomiyaki when I went. After which it was a short trip to the maritime museums in Kure, which are incredible. I can't get a decent air connection from here. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go back.
Love it when locals are friendly. People can make or break your visit. Onomichi seems like such a quaint and lovely place. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
In 2016, I travelled to Matsuyama by train, crossing over the Seto Ohashi bridge from Okayama. However, every trip back to the mainland, and there have been a few since, is by Superjet Ferry to Hiroshima. It's the quickest option. From Hiroshima, you can get trains or Shinkansen to wherever you want to go. It may indeed have been the quickest way to get to Onomichi, but the experience of travelling by different routes is always enjoyable. It's always a balance between time available, and budget. I ended up spending 3 weeks in Matsuyama in 2016, and I visited again in 2019. It's a very enjoyable place to stay, with some of the best food I have ever had, too.
In Kyoto, after visiting Ryoanji, I decided to "just walk around." I ended up at Joji-in. I thought that the garden was magnificent. It continues to be one of my favorite spots in Kyoto. Yours was a beautiful story.
Stumbled upon this video - thank you for the voice over its very informative - im inspired now to go back to Japan bec of this video... new subscriber here🙋♂
My friends and I spent 2 nights about a year ago in that hostel and it's hands down the very definition of the word spotless. It definitely is extraordinary even in Japan. The city of Onomichi and nearby islands give me an almost unhealthy dose of nostalgia and comfort even though I'm from the northeast of the country, and the friends from overseas certainly enjoyed the not-so-well-known-to-foreigners gem, too!
I love your videos! Such a nice departure from the typical travel youtuber. You focus on the destination and the journey, not your own image. Your personality comes through the colorful narrative you author for each video. Thank you so much! I'll be checking out Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Onomichi (cycling the Shimanami Kaido) in October. Was wondering, do you have any plans to make a video about Fukuoka anytime soon?
Thank you for taking me along, I visited Imabari. Takamatsu and Matsuyama 20 years ago, then traveled to the north through shimoda and matsushima to mirioka where there was snow. Then I went back all the way to himeji and Hiroshima. Been a fantastic trip and I encountered a lot of very friendly people. The big cities are very different somehow, I went to see them on another trip before, but I fell in love with the smaller towns. Shimoda only has two bars. Still remember I went to the jaja bar because the other one was closed. Thanks for reminding me and have a great Sunday!
Amazing video mate, what a hidden gem. These smaller cities and the japanese “country side” in general is so sublime! Recently went to Kanazawa, Nagano, Kiso Valley, Matsushima Bay (Sendai), Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Otsu, Amanohashidate. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos!
I just stumbled across this video, and it's gorgeous. I've been to Japan twice, but haven't made it too far into rural Japan like this. The most rural part I've been too has been Nikko, which is gorgeous in the mountains. Even with it's famous temples there, it wasn't too crowded and felt so different from the cities or Kyoto. I digress, but the scenery throughout Japan is truly amazing. You have large and beautiful cities. Old cities and towns like Kyoto, then small towns in between mountain valleys and seas. I have loved both of my trips there, and want to go back and go more off the beaten path like Onomichi to Nagano next time.
Same here. I went once but my rural experience is limited to a hot springs near mount Fugi. I visited all 3 major cities ending in Osaka ( universal studio theme park. I'm fascinated with rural Japan
Onomichi ist eine Stadt mit Meer, Hügeln und Tempeln. Sie ist die beliebteste Touristenstadt für Japaner, die sie in Zukunft besuchen werden. Von der Stadt aus können Sie ein anderes Japan erleben. Das nächste Mal besuchen.
So random stumbling upon this video while planning my Japan trip to the big cities. Thanks for posting this! It was poetry. Next time I'll visit Japan, I will go somewhere off the beaten track :)
You've stumbled upon one of the best places in Japan -- and it's strange, the only way to visit Onomichi is by accident. And some people pass through, another item checked, but you made the right choice in staying. I do hope that it stays as lovely a place as it does for a long time to come, though -- maybe try to demote your video ;)
Poetry, Will...visual and otherwise. Being 'there' and being present makes for amazing experiences. And the Japanese are just so.....Zen. Thank you, man!
Welcome to Japan! Very nice. Monday lunch time was relaxing. As a Japanese person, this video made me very happy. Thank you very much 👍 Have a wonderful week 🙋♂🙋♀
If you ever do the same trip again - I would HIGHLY recommend taking a bike trip across the shimanami kaido! One of my best memories ever was doing just that from Onomichi to Imabari in summer 2022. Beautiful sights, serene vibes, kind people... Just incredible. Side note: When I was in Onomichi, I had dinner with some friends. We chatted for a while with the owner, and when we tried to pay, they refused and said the whole meal was on them. Some other patrons bought us drinks as well. Just 10/10 experience. Such kind people!
What a journey ! It’s been a real pleasure to follow you into it. I don’t think there is any other place in the world where the safety can produce that kind of trip.
One of my favorite American country music songs is Delbert McClinton's , "It Ain't What You Eat, But The Way How You Chew It." Your most enjoyable video could be a paraphrase of that song's title, It ain't where you go, but the way how you get there.
Great video! I really like your storytelling. I used to live in Hiroshima and visited Onomichi a few times. It was always really nice. Viewing Setouchi Sea from Senkoji temple around sunset is really beautiful, too. Onomichi is also famous for movies. Many Japanese movies were filmed in Onomichi. A very old one is "Tokyo Monogatari" by Yasujiro Ozu and "Tokiwo Kakeru Shojo", meaning "a girl who rides through time," by Yasuhiko Ohbayashi.
Such a relaxing travel video - wish there were more of these ! Onomichi looks like such a pleasant place to stop and take a breath , and you’re right , it does look like a Gibhli movie .
Thank you for your film, I really liked it. I'm not a big traveler, I've never been to Japan. But I think you like a city when you realize that it was built for people and not cars. The age of cars led to changes in urban planning in many countries that made the inner workings of cities inhumane. That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be any cars at all, but that they shouldn't play the main role and dominate the cityscape.
Slow travel is luxury travel because time is a luxury. Embrace the unknown; life's a crap shoot, or if you prefer, a box of chocolates. You never know what yer gonna git. I'll bet you had a lot of time to think about stuff while on that bus unless you were glued to de vice... While having a general itinerary of what to do is good, it's also nice to ask yourself, in which direction should walk today and see what happens.
Ya know, I never say this about anywhere (honest) but I actually got a special vibe from this place just withint the first couple of minutes of watching this video. It helps that i've always wanted to go to Japan, but my desire has always been Tokyo, Kyoto and then some forrest countryside place. But this place looks super cool. Can't quite put my finger on it. Thank you for sharing!
I was in Onomichi a month ago! it was def my favorite Japanese city. Loved the city, so pretty. And the people there were so nice! Also go to the smaller islands south from there, so nice! altso really good ramen.
Heartwarming. Reminds me of my experiences in Kagoshima and Sakurajima (where I rented a bicycle and went round the whole island), ans especially the heights above the shipyards at Kure. I agree about the mixed blessing of a train pass: if I manage to visit Japan again, I’ll spend a lot more time in one place (although I could see that one place being Kyoto again!).
Great video, makes me want to visit Japan again and get even more off the beaten path such as you did. I must agree that the JR passes make for great value and ease of movement around this amazing country.
I visited Setouchi a few years ago and it reminded me of the 'real' Japan that I knew and fell in love with more than 10 years ago. The people are lovely and genuinely curious about visitors, the streets are filled with hidden gems that just requires curiosity and patience to find, and there's not so many tourists around. I really want to visit again.
I have never been to Onomichi. I'm Japanese, and I've often heard that Onomichi has a unique atmosphere compared to other parts of Japan. I learned about Onomichi's charm and the value of visiting. Thank you!!🤗
To get the most breath taking view over the city stay at the Miharashi-tei guest house just 50-100m below senkoji temple. Go there by doorway because it is way up. Looking over the city at night while having a beer was just the best decision for me. Even when I carried all my very heavy luggage all up the mountain.😊
@@abelgerli
Very kind of you 🥰!!
I will keep your recommendation in mind.
@@emippe226 By the way if you're thinking about doing the bike tour between Onomichi and Imabari taken your time and take two days with the bike rental. And just spend the night somewhere on the islands. I think spending the dawn at setoda sunset beach would be perfect and then spending the night in the guest house on the island. I made the cycle in one days and spend to much time relaxing on the island so I had to cycle fast and got cramps because of the many uphill cycling. There are many bridges to cycle up and down and many islands are quite hilly. You will feel it if you don't cycle everyday 80 km 😂
Have fun.
@@abelgerli Thank you for the recommendation
"touch of nostalgia from memory that I never had"
That is beautiful.
I need to go back to Japan, it's been 4 long years since I saw my home town.
Great minds think alike 🙂
Me and my wife had a conversation about values in trips just yesterday. There are a lot of people trying to get the maximum. To go everywhere, to try everything, tick every line in their list. We’re doing it at work. So what’s the point of vacation if you work hard at your leisure time? Calm down, relax! And walking around without Google maps is a great idea! Thank you for your job! Really like Japan through your camera. ❤
Just came back last Saturday from a 2,5 week trip. Walked 245 kilometers hahah. We loved it though. Japan is really worth it. It just begs to be explored all the time
I can appreciate this sentiment however I want to extract every bit of exploration that I can. I plan to visit for 3 weeks and want to see a lot. My emphasis will be less on Tokyo and Kyoto and more on the other cities and towns and the natural beauty of Japan.
You should leave a few slow days in your trip but if you only have 2-3 weeks in a country you really should try and work hard to see as much as you can. You can be lazy and live the slow life if you travel when you're old but you're only young once so better make the most of it. Don't do it now you never will.
but these people specifically go to these places with itinerary so they can get "content" to upload it on youtube stop being fooled by media and images it'll mess ur head up
A year ago this month I rode a bike from Onomichi to Imabari along the Shimanamikaido bike path. That was the best day of my life thus far. The ride was long (50+ miles, 6 hours, somewhat hilly), but worth ever ounce of effort. The views were stunning, and the peaceful silence along the way was rejuvenating after the big city hustle. Imabari was almost as charming as Onomichi! Two blocks from the station you filmed at is a really nice onsen. Perfect for unwinding after a long day of riding. Anyway, thank you for you video. Took my right back! The market in Onomichi, the view from the top of the hill, and the quiet little middle-of-nowhere bus stop all had me spinning.
Dammit, only did the bike ride, not seen the city. I loved the bike ride though! So that's still a W
It’s crazy, I opened the comment section to write the same! Except I biked from Imabari to Onomichi and stayed there. The sunset at the docks was mesmerizing and genuinely that was the best day of my life as well. Very happy that I’m not the only one who feels that way. Thank you!
Damm well never been too onomichi but went to kyoto after my abroad studying in seoul. Out of seasons and rented a bike it was amazing.
I love cities like these. Very modest, but charming in an unassuming way.
I really enjoy your delivery and story telling, it's a refreshing change from the hyper-emotive travel vlogs of others. I appreciate that you've taken this journey as well as I've been planning a cycle crossing from Imabari to Onomichi for a while, and it's nice to see what to expect in the cities themselves! These are exactly the types of moments I seek out when I'm travelling there, unassuming pockets of life and culture in regular places. Even in Kyoto and Osaka, there are local gems if you get off the beaten path. I hear a hint of Australian accent in your voice, is that where you're from?
Thank you. I'm not from Australia though!
Sounds like an AI text to speech engine
Slow travel in unknown places is the way to travel imo
@@Will_ZhaoI don’t hear Australian either but I want to say that when I first listened to the narration in Ferris Bueller’s day off, I said, someone needs to make a show with this style of talking. And your show is that, plus it’s about my favorite topic and you do so well at shooting and making videos! You are a gem. Thank you.
@@imlivelaffluvvson *"ferrous brûlées day off"* is that what *Ferris Bueller's Day Off* is known as in your country, or is this one of the most hilarious typos ever?
Sometimes the algorithm feeds you treats, and today was one! Thanks for the wonderful video, Will!
Thank you, algorithm! This was quite enjoyable! Subscribed.
Same!
+1, love the off-the-beaten-path chill vibes!
Same here, this is the kind of stuff I love watching 😀
i have to click "new to you" many times for this video to appear
Another who had this thrust on them by the algorithm and ended up enjoying it. Like his delivery and view on travel - something about just wandering about, following your nose, discovering places. I'm half way thru a 4wk stay in Japan and this really hit the spot for me.
10:38“a touch of nostalgia…from a memory I never had”.
When I first moved to Japan, despite never having been before and with very little knowledge of the country, this quote perfectly sums up how I felt about living there. I could never describe that deep pseudo-emotion but that’s the closest to description I’ve found so far. Thank you, Will!
I have been to Onomichi, it's a nice and quaint little town with the famous Temple Walk up to the Senkoji Temple. And yes, there are many cats around the area. I didn't get to stay overnight but by the looks of your experience, it would have been very enjoyable 😊
For those on a more traditional itinerary, it's quite easy to get to. You can stop at Shin Onomichi Station on the Shinkansen route then either take a taxi/bus (15-20min) into the main city area or walk the 3km yourself (approx 35-40min). The alternative is to stop at Fukuyama Station on the Shinkansen then take a local bus/train to Onomichi (20min). The benefit of stopping at Fukuyama Station is that they have coin lockers available so you can store your luggage here for the day while you go and explore Onomichi (this is what I did).
I like your style and humor. You def sold this town to me.
wow im impressed. Wasnt expecting that much quality on the video when i click it. Thanks for sharing your experience in this beautiful place!
Glad you expected wrong. 🤫
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!
5:30 is so beautiful.....
Onomichi seems like a magical place
I feel like I've already been here just because of how much I played Yakuza 6! Definitely will check it out in person! Maybe with luck, I will run into Ono Michio kun!
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.
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 don’t ever comment on RUclips videos .. however, I feel compelled to say thank you for all the effort you put into creating this spectacular video. My wife and I love Japan. We travel there twice a year. Loved all the storytelling and creativity. 5 stars! We are looking forward to watching more of your content. Thank you again for all the time you have invested sharing your experiences.
@@Thisguyshandlezerozero Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.
Nicely done, and I completely agree about finding places like this and exploring slowly, letting things unfold by chance. I chanced upon Kurobe on the west coast, and Unazaki Onsen, and did feel the "real" Japan in my bones. I had grown up in Tokyo, so it was a big surprise to me now much I enjoyed the small towns. Thank you!
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!
You travel the way I used to - no very fixed timetable, no checklist of "must see"s, just interacting with people you encounter, being told what they thought I should see of their town or village and where I should try some local speciality. Like you, sometimes I'd get lost as I wandered but as I didn't have anywhere specific I needed to be, it was part of the adventure and of course you always found your way back somehow.
Those were pre-smartphone days and so perhaps somewhat easier. While I may not have had the benefit google, the people around were also not buried in their phones or taking selfies or livestreaming every second of their lives and so they were more present, more curious and for me, more memorable.
Used to live out by the shimanani kaido. Miss that part of Japan so much,
I came here because of Yakuza. And your video. Here today, and I love it. Thanks!
I like how you added train sounds.
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).
Never mind the clip contains beautiful voice over, quality shorts and tones of valuable infos, but the narrator’s great sense of humor has kept me watching till the end. Now, looking forward to watch what you have in store for us. 😊
This is seriously one of the best videos about Japan that I've ever seen. I've watched it three times already.
Just been recently and I'm emotional watching your video. I felt safe in Japan unlike New Zealand. Thoroughly enjoyed your delivery. Thank you.
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.
Perfect blend of wit, poetry and reality. Well done.
What a place, it's stunningly beautiful there!!! I am now full of envy; I'd so like to see this place and experience all the culture and atmosphere. Thank you for your video.
Thank you for going on this trip, documenting it, and sharing it good sir. This place is now on the bucket list! 🤩
I totally understand how you were charmed by a place supposedly so off the beaten path. It's as if all the minutiae of daily Japanese life come together and create this theater of delight in the mundane, and the bittersweetness of a brief stay creates something poetic. Japan is the most extraordinary country...
From towering skyscrapers to small towns, Japan has a charm like no other.
Great video Will! I visited Onomichi in October solo as part of my 21-day JR pass journey as well. You put my thoughts about the city into words so well, the feeling of being in Onomichi really is indescribable. It was like revisiting a memory that I never had. The sunset view from the Senkoji observatory was probably one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. I stayed up there until it got dark and hiked down the mountain. I remember struggling to find dinner after it got dark, the city really does go quiet at night. The next day I ended up biking the Shinanami Kaido from Onomichi to Imabari and had to take the highway bus back to Onomichi at night. I remember feeling exactly how you did about that one bus stop in the middle of nowhere. I was on the last bus departing from Imabari and by the time I got to the bus stop it was pitch black and I was the only person there for 30 minutes not sure if the bus would even come. Good memories 😁
Everything from the cats, to the beautiful weather, the amazing inland sea and mountain views, the delicious Onomichi ramen, and chill vibe of the port town really makes Onomichi one of the best places I visited. I’ll be back one day, no doubt. Thanks again for helping me relive this memory, I’ll show this video to all my friends :)
Thank you, glad you like it. Onomichi is nothing but fond memories, I plan to revisit the city this summer bringing with me a better camera so I'd have higher quality footage to share. It's a shame that Onomichi's pretty far away from the major cities and getting there just for the sake of it isn't usually an option. But that's propbably why the city is so special to begin with.
I also biked the Shimanami Kaido last October, in the opposite direction. Had an amazing time in both Onomichi and Imabari.
I was also there around that time so we may have crossed paths. My sentiments echo yours. It was truly a magical experience.
I just returned from three weeks in Japan, and the highlight was three days spent in Onomichi, including one day when the rain poured down. It is the perfect place for wandering. The little alleys are a joy to explore at night. We also ate some of the best food of the trip there. I'm delighted that the place captured your heart as it did mine.
This video is something magical. I’ve already watched it twice today! My husband and I subscribed immediately! We can’t wait to see more!
@@LiterallyJustAnActualPotato Thank you!
What an absolutely lovely piece, thank you for introducing me to this place.
I know the feeling. To find your own "Onomichi" one must not seek "must-see" destinations and instead stop and dissolve into the streets. It can easily be Tokyo as well I believe - I had a similar experience when I was in New York for Nth time. I was not enjoying NY until then, but it was that day when I had no particular plans that I began to truly uncover the place. I traveled a lot since then and had both "check list" and "Onomichi-style" tourism, but I know I will always remember the "Onomichi" places.
I never thought about exploring Tokyo this way. My past trips have always been in the 'checklist' style, although there were memorable moments here and there, it's overall less engaging and organic. I should totally do it again differently.
@@Will_Zhao it's also a certain state of mind. I've noticed we're always falling out of it. The state of observation, absorbing, and true exploration. Your video is a beautiful reminder of it, thank you for this!
I've done this trip but did the shiminami kaido cycle ride. id recommend it. The most beautiful bicycle ride I've ever done.
2:14 A station in the middle of "nowhere" & the bus is late by 20 minutes especially in Japan, I think you have every right to be worried 😅
4:01 Don't know why, but those stairs are beautiful in itself. My mind was already telling me: "at least once a dorama, movie or anime has used those stairs in a scene."
4:39 That view is just damn beautiful. Great choice by the builders to put a station there.
6:43 Cool public area. Nice vibes.
11:46 Great value there.
The best part of a trip in my opinion is getting lost in an area and exploring. Meeting wonderful friendly people, having a chat and allowing your trip to breath.
Chasing time and meeting schedules just doesnt allow yourself to take it all in.
totally agree. holiday is supposed to be relaxed, rushing everywhere is real life, holiday should be less busy.
What a charming little town!! Onomichi is what I like to call a hitten Gem 💎!! A small town that's pack with Beauty and a little nature not to mention those views of the Sea are Magnificent 💟!! I'll be there in Osaka next April for 2 weeks and I might have to venture over and check ✅ out Onomichi for sure!! Amazing 🙏🏽 video and Thanks for Sharing 🧡🤍🎇🤍🧡
I envy your story telling skill. That was a fun adventure.
I want to visit Onomichi now.
As soon as I've read "The Most Beautiful Japan City Nobody Talks About" I knew you were talking about Onomichi... :)
same here, I hope it doesn't change too much because of YT and IG
What a lovely, well made and different travel video! The place remind me somewhat of Suma, where I lived as a child. Thank you!
I haven't seen Onomichi yet, although I want to.
But you need to go a bit farther west and see Takehara. The historic district, Kyoto of The West, is incredible. In animationterms, Onomichi is the town from "Kamichu" while you can see Takehara in "Tamayura".
If you go, Yuki-chan, toward the southeast end of Honmachi-douri in the historic district, had good prices on excellent Hiroshima okonomiyaki when I went. After which it was a short trip to the maritime museums in Kure, which are incredible.
I can't get a decent air connection from here. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go back.
Love it when locals are friendly. People can make or break your visit. Onomichi seems like such a quaint and lovely place. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
In 2016, I travelled to Matsuyama by train, crossing over the Seto Ohashi bridge from Okayama. However, every trip back to the mainland, and there have been a few since, is by Superjet Ferry to Hiroshima. It's the quickest option.
From Hiroshima, you can get trains or Shinkansen to wherever you want to go. It may indeed have been the quickest way to get to Onomichi, but the experience of travelling by different routes is always enjoyable.
It's always a balance between time available, and budget.
I ended up spending 3 weeks in Matsuyama in 2016, and I visited again in 2019.
It's a very enjoyable place to stay, with some of the best food I have ever had, too.
In Kyoto, after visiting Ryoanji, I decided to "just walk around." I ended up at Joji-in. I thought that the garden was magnificent. It continues to be one of my favorite spots in Kyoto. Yours was a beautiful story.
Stumbled upon this video - thank you for the voice over its very informative - im inspired now to go back to Japan bec of this video... new subscriber here🙋♂
Thankyou for taking us on your wonderful ZEN journey!
My friends and I spent 2 nights about a year ago in that hostel and it's hands down the very definition of the word spotless. It definitely is extraordinary even in Japan.
The city of Onomichi and nearby islands give me an almost unhealthy dose of nostalgia and comfort even though I'm from the northeast of the country, and the friends from overseas certainly enjoyed the not-so-well-known-to-foreigners gem, too!
I know right? It was one of the best experiences I've ever had, and even made a few friends.
Thank you I have been looking for off the beaten path in Japan 🇯🇵 you are the only channel so far 😊
I love your videos! Such a nice departure from the typical travel youtuber. You focus on the destination and the journey, not your own image. Your personality comes through the colorful narrative you author for each video. Thank you so much! I'll be checking out Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Onomichi (cycling the Shimanami Kaido) in October. Was wondering, do you have any plans to make a video about Fukuoka anytime soon?
Thank you for taking me along, I visited Imabari. Takamatsu and Matsuyama 20 years ago, then traveled to the north through shimoda and matsushima to mirioka where there was snow. Then I went back all the way to himeji and Hiroshima. Been a fantastic trip and I encountered a lot of very friendly people. The big cities are very different somehow, I went to see them on another trip before, but I fell in love with the smaller towns. Shimoda only has two bars. Still remember I went to the jaja bar because the other one was closed. Thanks for reminding me and have a great Sunday!
Amazing video mate, what a hidden gem. These smaller cities and the japanese “country side” in general is so sublime! Recently went to Kanazawa, Nagano, Kiso Valley, Matsushima Bay (Sendai), Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Otsu, Amanohashidate. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos!
I just stumbled across this video, and it's gorgeous. I've been to Japan twice, but haven't made it too far into rural Japan like this. The most rural part I've been too has been Nikko, which is gorgeous in the mountains. Even with it's famous temples there, it wasn't too crowded and felt so different from the cities or Kyoto.
I digress, but the scenery throughout Japan is truly amazing. You have large and beautiful cities. Old cities and towns like Kyoto, then small towns in between mountain valleys and seas. I have loved both of my trips there, and want to go back and go more off the beaten path like Onomichi to Nagano next time.
Same here. I went once but my rural experience is limited to a hot springs near mount Fugi. I visited all 3 major cities ending in Osaka ( universal studio theme park. I'm fascinated with rural Japan
Onomichi ist eine Stadt mit Meer, Hügeln und Tempeln. Sie ist die beliebteste Touristenstadt für Japaner, die sie in Zukunft besuchen werden.
Von der Stadt aus können Sie ein anderes Japan erleben. Das nächste Mal besuchen.
The humor sprinkled throughout the video made me chuckle xD
Video was great!
Really great place. I want to experience this small town on my own.
Great video! This way of doing videos is so refreshing, please make more!!
I love everything about the video, thank you!
So random stumbling upon this video while planning my Japan trip to the big cities. Thanks for posting this! It was poetry. Next time I'll visit Japan, I will go somewhere off the beaten track :)
It’s a gem! It’s like vintage Japan 🇯🇵 beautiful arcade and the hillside is beautiful.
My favourite town in Nippon. 😊
I love the pacing, and the candour. Well done!
What a wonderful video
Glad you enjoyed it!
You've stumbled upon one of the best places in Japan -- and it's strange, the only way to visit Onomichi is by accident. And some people pass through, another item checked, but you made the right choice in staying. I do hope that it stays as lovely a place as it does for a long time to come, though -- maybe try to demote your video ;)
Loved seeing your views and hearing your thoughts…….great job!
Poetry, Will...visual and otherwise. Being 'there' and being present makes for amazing experiences. And the Japanese are just so.....Zen. Thank you, man!
Welcome to Japan!
Very nice.
Monday lunch time was relaxing.
As a Japanese person, this video made me very happy.
Thank you very much 👍
Have a wonderful week 🙋♂🙋♀
Thank you. Glad my video made your lunch break better!
@@Will_Zhao 🙋♂🙋♀👍
If you ever do the same trip again - I would HIGHLY recommend taking a bike trip across the shimanami kaido! One of my best memories ever was doing just that from Onomichi to Imabari in summer 2022. Beautiful sights, serene vibes, kind people... Just incredible.
Side note: When I was in Onomichi, I had dinner with some friends. We chatted for a while with the owner, and when we tried to pay, they refused and said the whole meal was on them. Some other patrons bought us drinks as well. Just 10/10 experience. Such kind people!
Dies ist die beste Folge der Serie! Die anderen Folgen sind zu kurz. Bitte mehr!🤩
What a journey ! It’s been a real pleasure to follow you into it. I don’t think there is any other place in the world where the safety can produce that kind of trip.
One of my favorite American country music songs is Delbert McClinton's , "It Ain't What You Eat, But The Way How You Chew It." Your most enjoyable video could be a paraphrase of that song's title, It ain't where you go, but the way how you get there.
Great video! I really like your storytelling. I used to live in Hiroshima and visited Onomichi a few times. It was always really nice. Viewing Setouchi Sea from Senkoji temple around sunset is really beautiful, too. Onomichi is also famous for movies. Many Japanese movies were filmed in Onomichi. A very old one is "Tokyo Monogatari" by Yasujiro Ozu and "Tokiwo Kakeru Shojo", meaning "a girl who rides through time," by Yasuhiko Ohbayashi.
Cats, scenery, authentic low-story buildings - definitely adding to my goto bucket. Great video
Very enjoyable sentiments. It almost brings up memories (which I never had) when I first got lost in Japan and found the delight in life.
Such a relaxing travel video - wish there were more of these ! Onomichi looks like such a pleasant place to stop and take a breath , and you’re right , it does look like a Gibhli movie .
Thank you for your film, I really liked it. I'm not a big traveler, I've never been to Japan. But I think you like a city when you realize that it was built for people and not cars. The age of cars led to changes in urban planning in many countries that made the inner workings of cities inhumane. That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be any cars at all, but that they shouldn't play the main role and dominate the cityscape.
Wonderful! Thank you for capturing this so beautifully. It's suddenly on my itinerary!
Thank you for promoting other places. Living in Hokkaido...there's so much to see
Thank you for the inspiration - love that you stayed another day there... So Beautiful!!
Part of e believes Onomichi is the inspiration for Ghibli's Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns... the details of the city emits nostalgia
Slow travel is luxury travel because time is a luxury. Embrace the unknown; life's a crap shoot, or if you prefer, a box of chocolates. You never know what yer gonna git. I'll bet you had a lot of time to think about stuff while on that bus unless you were glued to de vice... While having a general itinerary of what to do is good, it's also nice to ask yourself, in which direction should walk today and see what happens.
Ya know, I never say this about anywhere (honest) but I actually got a special vibe from this place just withint the first couple of minutes of watching this video. It helps that i've always wanted to go to Japan, but my desire has always been Tokyo, Kyoto and then some forrest countryside place.
But this place looks super cool. Can't quite put my finger on it. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing series
Congratulations, Will. You paint nice pictures with your words, which complement the imagery well. Good job!
I was in Onomichi a month ago! it was def my favorite Japanese city. Loved the city, so pretty. And the people there were so nice! Also go to the smaller islands south from there, so nice! altso really good ramen.
Loved the video, took me back to my trip earlier this year. My wife and me rented a bike for the Shimanami Kaido, a beautiful trip to Onomichi.
I enjoyed watching this video. Keep up the good work
Dude, great job. I live in Japan as well and your appreciation is spot on.
Been there a couple times. It was the setting for a handful of famous films made in the 80s.
Such a lovely, lovely episode. Thanks for posting!
Heartwarming. Reminds me of my experiences in Kagoshima and Sakurajima (where I rented a bicycle and went round the whole island), ans especially the heights above the shipyards at Kure. I agree about the mixed blessing of a train pass: if I manage to visit Japan again, I’ll spend a lot more time in one place (although I could see that one place being Kyoto again!).
Guess im adding Omonichi to the trip now
This put me into such a good vibe, made me feel like I was there
What a refreshing video on Japan!! I love your editing style, cinematography, and speaking cadence. Hope your channel grows to be big!
Thank you!
Great video, makes me want to visit Japan again and get even more off the beaten path such as you did. I must agree that the JR passes make for great value and ease of movement around this amazing country.
I visited Setouchi a few years ago and it reminded me of the 'real' Japan that I knew and fell in love with more than 10 years ago. The people are lovely and genuinely curious about visitors, the streets are filled with hidden gems that just requires curiosity and patience to find, and there's not so many tourists around. I really want to visit again.
What a charming looking place. Thanks for the vid.