Hiroshima to Kosanji Temple

Hi,

I would like to be at Kosanji Temple when it opens(09.00). I will have JR-PASS. When should I leave Hiroshima and how?
I'm thinking of taking a train to Onomichi, and then take the ferry to Setoda/Sawa. When does the first ferry leave in the morning from Onomichi?
I could also consider go to Imabari first, and take the bicycle route back to Kosanji Temple and Onomichi. But if I do that, then I would like to be in Imabari really early in the morning.

I'm thinking of taking a train to Onomichi, and then take the ferry to Setoda/Sawa. When does the first ferry leave in the morning from Onomichi?

At 7:20, arriving in Setoda at 7:59:
http://www.go-shimanami.jp/access/i.html

Train timetable:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

Instead of via Onomichi, you could also travel via Mihara:
http://www.go-shimanami.jp/access/i2.html

I could also consider go to Imabari first, and take the bicycle route back to Kosanji Temple and Onomichi. But if I do that, then I would like to be in Imabari really early in the morning.

The average cyclist requires half a day to get from Imabari to Kosanji Temple.

Hiroshima - Shin-Onomichi - (local Bus) - Onomichi - (Ferry) - Port Sawa

or

Hiroshima - Mihara - (Ferry) - Port Sawa


As Shinkansen Shin-Onomichi station(3rd stop from Hiroshima) is apart from Onomichi station, you need to ride a bus from Shin-Onomichi to Onomichi. Alternatively, you can ride the ferry from Mihara(2nd stop from Hiroshima).

The 1st ferry departs at Mihara at 0730 and arrives at Port Sawa at 0753.

Sanyo Shinkansen
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_sanyo.html

The official temple homepage (http://www.kousanji.or.jp/access.html) mentions the following access options.

By boat:

1. boat from Onomichi port (3 min walk from Onomichi station) to Setoda. Timetable: http://www.onoport.jp/sightseeing/route4.html (second table is for Onomichi to Setoda) first boat at 7:20 which gets you to Setoda port at 7:59

2. boat from Mihara port (7 min walk from Mihara station) to Setoda. Timetable: http://www.city.mihara.hiroshima.jp/kurashi/kotsu-life/index.html (first table second last column is Mihara to Setoda); connections at 6:45, 7:40 (not on weekends/holidays), 8:10, 8:35,...

By bus:

3. From Fukuyama station to Setoda BS by highway bus and from there by local bus. Timetable of highway bus: http://www.chugokubus.jp/01highwaybus/01highwaybus11.html (second table; first column is Fukuyama station, sixth column is Setoda BS); connections at 7:00 (arrival at Setoda BS 7:43) and 7:50 (arrival at Setoda BS 8:33)

4. From Onomichi to Setoda BS by highway bus and from there by local bus. Timetable of highway bus: http://www.chugokubus.jp/01highwaybus/01highwaybus10.html# can't make it to Kosanji in time with this bus!

Thank you all for the answers. Could you also give me advice/ideas on how to get to Onomichi from the Kosanji Temple?

By Ferry. from Port Sawa to Onomichi

Yeah, I know that. Do you know how long time it will take by bus and how often does they go? Have anyone done the bicycle route from Kosanji Temple to Onomichi? What's the scenery like?

Here is the bus timetable for weekdays:
http://www.go-shimanami.jp/access/onomichi-setoda.html

And for weekends and public holidays:
http://www.go-shimanami.jp/access/onomichi-setoda-sun.html

耕三寺 means Kosanji
尾道駅前 means Onomichi Station

Have anyone done the bicycle route from Kosanji Temple to Onomichi?

Yes.

What's the scenery like?

Pretty much the same as along the Imabari-Ikuchijima section of the route, although overall I think I liked the scenery along the Imabari-Ikuchijima slightly better:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3478.html

Thank you all for the answers. Could you also give me advice/ideas on how to get to Onomichi from the Kosanji Temple?

The ferry suggestion is actually a good one, I would not really recommend returning by bus, as you have to catch a local bus back to the highway and then catch the highway bus back to Onomichi. Note on the page Uji linked how the Bike Path and the main highway separate.

Have anyone done the bicycle route from Kosanji Temple to Onomichi? What's the scenery like?

It is nice. It is a mix of coastal towns, some rural areas (rice fields) and some semi industrial (boat building). The bridges are all impressive and nice to cycle over.

The tourist office in Setoda (where Kosanji is) is also the bike rental location so you could rent a bike there easily enough.

We started in Okayama, caught the train to Onomichi, rented a bike and then cycled to Setoda. We stayed overnight in Setoda, we only booked once we arrived at the tourist office. They had a list of places and made the phone call reservation for us. The following morning we went to Kosanji before continuing on to Imabari and then Matsuyama.

I'd highly recommend cycling.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you very much. I think I will take the boat from Mihara and cycle back to Onomichi.

I'm also thinking of going to Okayama(the same day) and only see Korakuen Garden and the castle. Is it possible? I'm travelling solo, so an fast pace is not a problem.

I'm also thinking of going to Okayama(the same day) and only see Korakuen Garden and the castle.

Unless you are a slow cyclist, it should be possible. During the summer months, Korakuen closes at 6pm. The caste at 5pm. It takes only about an hour to get from Onomochi Station to Okayama (if using a shinkansen from Fukuyama).