The Most Beautiful Japan City Nobody Talks About - Ep.5, 1 Man, 1 Pass, 1 Trip into the 'Real Japan'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มี.ค. 2024
- My trip to find the 'real Japan' is about to end - with a bang. Onomichi, the gem of Setouchi is now my favourite city in Japan. Let me tell you all about it.
I'd like to thank all of you who watched the series to be a part of this journey, I couldn't have done it without you.
#japan #travel #vlog
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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
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?
This is seriously one of the best videos about Japan that I've ever seen. I've watched it three times already.
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 love cities like these. Very modest, but charming in an unassuming way.
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
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).
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.
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!
"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 🙂
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!
Poetry, Will...visual and otherwise. Being 'there' and being present makes for amazing experiences. And the Japanese are just so.....Zen. Thank you, man!
Sometimes the algorithm feeds you treats, and today was one! Thanks for the wonderful video, Will!
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.
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. 🤫
The Imabari-Onomichi route is famous as the Shimanami Kaido bike route, so usually I'd think the usual way to travel is by bike, while shipping the luggage from one end to another. The route I took was the other way round while also reaching Fukuoka because I want to stop by Beppu for a night with the hot springs. The route planning was hectic, but it was worth it for the trip.
Edit: After finishing the video, I might go back and stay a night there. Unfortunately the last time I went there, it coincided with Golden Week so cheap accommodation are nowhere to be found in Onomichi...
Oh my gosh, what a fantastic video, I was shocked to find myself tearing up because I could hear how much you were enjoying yourself. I haven't been to this particular place, but I have had those moments of 'oneness' with a place while traveling and we open up to the experiece. I think this is what many are seeking, but as you observed, it really comes when you have completely let go of expectations and are just being present with what is happening in front of you, and this can happen anywhere. You've inspired me to travel to some small local places this summer nearby and enjoy whatever I find!
Went to cycle from Onomichi to Matsuyama and is by far the best experience in Japan I've ever had
This is some superb editing. Congrats on the fantastic video!
Easiest sub of my life
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 🧡🤍🎇🤍🧡
Dies ist die beste Folge der Serie! Die anderen Folgen sind zu kurz. Bitte mehr!🤩
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.
Thanks for that video... I feel this Ghibli's feelings when watched your video!
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.
Thank you for making good videos and telling about getting not only a value but emotions from trip!
Wonderful! Thank you for capturing this so beautifully. It's suddenly on my itinerary!
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.
Thankyou for taking us on your wonderful ZEN journey!
Thank you I have been looking for off the beaten path in Japan 🇯🇵 you are the only channel so far 😊
Thank you for going on this trip, documenting it, and sharing it good sir. This place is now on the bucket list! 🤩
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 :)
Such a lovely, lovely episode. Thanks for posting!
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!
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.
Thanks for the video! Glad you had a great time!
Thank you for sharing this! I think you somehow capture what it's like to be there. I really like the storytelling!
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.
Great video! This way of doing videos is so refreshing, please make more!!
Thank you for the inspiration - love that you stayed another day there... So Beautiful!!
I know Onomichi from anna film production. The most documented video on the city geography, back streets, alleys and sites, without leaving the Caribbean my residence. Your content, delivery and information are tops. Congratulations!
I love everything about the video, thank you!
Loved seeing your views and hearing your thoughts…….great job!
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.
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.
It’s a gem! It’s like vintage Japan 🇯🇵 beautiful arcade and the hillside is beautiful.
Tomonoura, located 25 kilometers east of Onomichi, was the setting for the movie "Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea," produced by Studio Ghibli.
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!
You're good at this. Great editing, please keep it up
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.
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!).
What an outstanding series of videos! I love your storytelling, the production, and how personal you made it. Well done you. Kind regards from Tasmania, Australia
I came here because of Yakuza. And your video. Here today, and I love it. Thanks!
I like how you added train sounds.
What a charming looking place. Thanks for the vid.
As soon as I've read "The Most Beautiful Japan City Nobody Talks About" I knew you were talking about Onomichi... :)
This was so precious. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations, Will. You paint nice pictures with your words, which complement the imagery well. Good job!
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 .
This is the sort of experience I would like from Japan, there are places like you said, visiting Tokyo and Kyoto is a box ticking exercise but by no means unimportant to a first time visitor but I don't want to just spend two week rushing from one place to another, I want to truly feel calm in one specific place and Onomichi will now perhaps feature in my trip. Thank you for this video.
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 🙋♂🙋♀👍
Great video! I stopped in Onomichi for a few hours once and I totally know what you mean. There's an unassuming specialness to it that's hard to put your finger on. I love you mix of humour and deeper commentary along with great shots. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Nice video! Setouchi and the southern prefectures are definitely on my bucket list if I get the chance of traveling again next year.
I Love your videos Buddy! Keep in that track
I love the pacing, and the candour. Well done!
Thank you for making this video. It’s very informative and visually pleasing. I was Osaka few days ago for a holiday and felt like I needed to explore more of Japan. I will definitely go back.
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...
Cats, scenery, authentic low-story buildings - definitely adding to my goto bucket. Great video
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🙋♂
top quality vid as usual! I'm 100% sold on Onomichi and adding it to our next Japan trip itinerary, especially because cycling the Shimanami Kaido is on the bucket list
Consider staying at Wakka. Best part of our Japan trip.
Dude, great job. I live in Japan as well and your appreciation is spot on.
planning my trip already - totally agree with your modus operandi .We did the same up in Hokkaido some years back, and wow, did we get blown away. Thanks for this excellent series.
So cool. Thanks for the stories Will.
Most valuable and entertaining video! Grateful for your guidance.
I like the higgledy piggeldy layout, verticality and greenery ( and the general beautiful location the city is built in)
Thank you for making this video. You have the most charming way of travel blogging. I was teary eyed watching this video.
Great video!🎉
Wanted to stop by here on my last trip but ran out of time. Definitely still on my radar now for next time.
I have been to Onomichi last year, combined it with cycling a part of Shimanami Kaido. Such a great town to get lost in. This brings back memories. Love your cinematography !
This put me into such a good vibe, made me feel like I was there
What a great video. Something unexpected and heartwarming.
I've actually travelled the exact same route with the bus that you had lol! On my trip to Japan i went to cycle the shimanami kaido cycling route, starting from Onomichi. When i arrived in Onomichi I also noticed that the place was really unique and it made me want to stay there for an extra day but i didn't have the time :(. After cycling the route that day I ended at the Imabari station as well and i had to take the same transfer in the middle of nowhere on that island😂. I actually missed the first bus because i didn't know that there was a tunnel under the highway that leads to the other bus stop^^. Really cool to see you practically taking the same path i did ^^
Nice work, Will! It’s my first time, here on your channel, but I’m going to make sure I don’t miss you, in the future! 🎉 Thanks! 🙏
I really loved the quality of filming and editing and commenting on this series and I really fing hope that you plan to make more travel series like this one because damn you are good at making quality content. A rare diamond amongst the clickbaity overhyped empty content all over youtube. Even Chris Broad's content has become quite trash lately, it felt so refreshing to explore new worthwhile corners of Japan without endless pointless chatter. Btw, back in 2019 when I went, I found Matsumae at the relatively isolated south tip of Hokkaido to be a quite charming place that no one talks about. Not so much for the city itself but its historic site and cherry trees. Maybe add it to your bucket list ;)
The humor sprinkled throughout the video made me chuckle xD
Video was great!
It's so truth, Onomichi will be always my favorit town in my heart. I had the same route from Matsuyama to Imabari to Onomichi. But I borrowed a rickety bike and cycled along the Shimanami Kaido for 2 days. tA real experience that I can recommend to everyone. I planned a short stop in Onomichi, but stayed for three wonderful days. If you really want to experience authentic Japan, you'll find it there. For me, this area is pure wabi sabi.
Thank you for your video and refreshing my memories.
wow! i love your filming style! You can really tell you are a ghibli fan :)
Amazing video! Love it!
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.
That was fun. Thank you.
Haha, hell of a journey! I love it. 😁
Very cozy and nice travel video!
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.
i was in onomichi and it was also super hot, went up the cable car and walked down. nice memories while watching this. it indeed a postcard town, so nice.
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.
love the commentary. keep it up!
great video. fantastic story telling. kudos!
Dude I love cities like this. Plus your narration, chef's kiss bro! I'm a new subscriber! I love rural Japan bec of Ghibli haha. New fan bro!
Thank you!
Beautifully Filmed, you have a great eye!
Your video content and picture quality is great!
I was in Onomichi in January. What a gem. I loved it and will make my way back there again next year.
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!
Respect for being flexible and making plans on the fly. Sticking to a rigid schedule is sometimes too much hard work, and can feel like you're answering to another person's wishes. A holiday should be more than that. Thanks for the info about the Setouchi pass - it's ideal for a lot of my future plans, and looks like great value; somehow, I'd missed it among the various options.
I've also been wanting to cycle the Shimanami Kaido for some time, and your illustration of the bus option just cemented the idea of using a bicycle ;-)