Onomichi, Hiroshima

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Image:Onomichi-morning-20060402.jpg

Onomichi (尾道市; -shi) is a city located in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan facing the Inland Sea. The city is known for its many temples such as the Buddhist Senko Temple (founded in the 9th century), has a shipbuilding yard and a motor factory. It now offers a steamship service to ports of northern Shikoku and islands in the Inland Sea.

As of January 10, 2006, the city has an estimated population of 150,232 and the density of 550 persons per km². The total area is 212.33 km². The city was founded on April 1, 1898.

1168: The city's port is opened and for the next 500 years will serve as a rice shipment center and port for all trade with China. Its commercial significance somewhat wavered during the Tokugawa era.
1898: Onomichi Town in Mitsugi District becomes the second city in Hiroshima Prefecture.
1937: The town of Kurihara and the village of Yoshiwa, both in Mitsugi District incorporated.
1939: Nami Village from Namakuma District incorporated.
1951: Fukada Village from Mitsugi District incorporated.
1954: Three villages from Mitsugi District incorporated.
1955: Three villages from Namakuma District incorporated.
1957: Urasaki Village from Namakuma District incorporated.
1970: The town of Mukaihigashi from Mitsugi District incorporated.
March 28, 2005: The towns of Mitsugi and Mukaishima from Mitsugi District merged into Onomichi.
January 10 2006: Innoshima City and Setoda Town from Toyota District merged into Onomichi.

The city is featured in the classic Japanese film Tokyo Story. It is the setting for the fantasy 2005 anime series Kamichu! which faithfully depicts many of the city's features and landmarks. It is also the setting of the romantic manga Pastel by Toshihiko Kobayashi.