Fukuyama
Fukuyama is a city in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Get in
By train
Fukuyama, an intermediate stop on the San'yo Shinkansen line, is approximately 25 minutes from Hiroshima via the Hikari (¥4800), one hour from Osaka (¥7850) and 90 minutes from Fukuoka (¥11000). One-seat rides on the Nozomi depart once per hour from Kyoto (80 minutes, ¥8700), Nagoya (2 hours, ¥12200) and Tokyo (3 3/4 hours, ¥17200). Fukuyama is much closer to Okayama City or Kurashiki than it is from Hiroshima City. From Okayama, 50 minutes on the Sunliner train, (¥970), covered with your JR pass.
You cannot use the Nozomi with the Japan Rail Pass; if coming from Tokyo, Nagoya or Kyoto you will have to change trains en-route. However, there are two early-morning Hikari trains from Nagoya and Kyoto that offer a one-seat ride to Fukuyama.
By bus
From Tokyo, Odakyu Bus and Chugoku Bus operate the nightly Etoile Seto to Fukuyama from Shinjuku Station (9 1/4 hours, ¥10500 each way).
Keihan Kyoto Kotsu runs three round-trips from Kyoto station (4 hours, ¥4100), and Kintetsu Bus runs seven round-trips from Osaka's Umeda and Namba stations (3 1/2 hours from Umeda, ¥3770).
From Hiroshima, Rose Liner buses operated by Ikasa Tetsudo and Tomo Tetsudo operate 2-3 times per hour out of the Hiroshima Bus Center (1 hour 40 minutes, ¥2300).
Get around
See
- 1 Fukuyama Castle (福山城) (Visible from the station). The original castle which dated back to 1619 was destroyed in the bombing of Fukuyama in WWII. The current structure was rebuilt in 1966. The castle grounds are pleasant and the keep looks attractive. It is literally right outside Fukuyama Station, which can be convenient for travelers who want to make a quick stop between Hiroshima and Okayama but unfortunate that the station's presence stymies a lot of good photo opportunities.
- 2 Tomonoura (鞆の浦) (30 minutes south of JR Fukuyama station by bus). An ancient port town on the Seto Inland Sea with scenic views of outlying islands. It is famous for Homeishu, a sweet liqueur, made in the Tomo area for over a thousand years. Four distilleries offer free tastes. Tomonoura is also known for its red sea bream fishing display using traditional methods each May. Enjoy a drink or lazy lunch at one of two harbor-side cafes next to the lighthouse.
- 3 Sensui Jima (Take a five minute ferry ride (¥240 return) to the island from the ferry port at Tomonoura.). This small island features two Japanese style hotels with onsens and a campground for the more adventurous. A newly refurbished stone walkway along the sea is great for a leisurely 20 to 30 minute stroll. At the end you'll find a beach and a for a few hundred yen you can take a soothing foot bath. The island also offers light to moderate hiking that can be completed in an afternoon. If you're not staying at one of the hotels there is not much to eat here so bring a snack.
- 4 Myōō-in Temple (明王院).
- 5 Bingo Kokubunji Temple (備後国分寺).
- 6 Human Rights and Peace Museum (福山市人権平和資料館).
- 7 Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of History.
- 8 Fukuyama Municipal Zoo.
Do
Buy
- Geta from GETAKOBO, 〒729-0104 広島県福山市松永町4-26-33 (Less than 10 minutes walk south east of JR Matsunaga station.), ☏ +81 84-930-0102. Wooden soled traditional Japanese footwear that are handmade in the Matsunaga area of Fukuyama. Around 60% of all geta sold in Japan are made in Matsunaga. At GETAKOBO, you can choose your own size, shape, and color of wooden sole as well as pick from hundreds of different styles of straps. Both men's and women's are available. Very friendly and helpful staff will assemble your shoes as you watch in just a few minutes. Many styles are available for around 3000 yen per pair.
Eat
Drink
- Homeishu. A sweet liqueur made in the Tomo area for over a thousand years. Four distilleries offer free tastes.
Sleep
- 1 Oriental Hotel (福山オリエンタルホテル), ☏ +81 84-927-0888. Rooms from ¥5500.
Connect
Go next
| Routes through Fukuyama |
| Hiroshima ← Shin-Onomichi ← | W  E |
→ Shin-Kurashiki → Shin-Osaka |
| Hiroshima ← Onomichi ← | W  E |
→ Kasaoka → Okayama |
| Hiroshima ← Onomichi ← | W  E |
→ Kasaoka → Okayama |