Hiroshima and Onomichi (Shin-Onomichi Station) are connected by Kodama trains along the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. Shin-Onomichi Station is not served by any other train category besides Kodama trains. The one way trip takes about 40 minutes, costs around 3500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Hiroshima Station and Onomichi Station are connected by frequently departing trains along the JR Sanyo Line (90 minutes, 1520 yen). There are a few direct trains per day, but the trip usually requires a transfer at Itozaki Station. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Hiroshima and Onomichi are connected by the "Flower Liner" highway bus. Buses depart about once per hour from the Hiroshima Bus Center and arrive at Onomichi Station, with most buses carrying on part way along the Shimanami Kaido to Innoshima Island. The trip between Hiroshima and Onomichi takes 90 minutes and costs 2000 yen one way or 3400 yen round trip.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Onomichi is a small town whose center can be comfortably explored by foot. The town was built on a series of hills, so that walking between sites often involves going up or down slopes.
Onomichi has two main train stations: Onomichi Station, which is served by local JR trains, and Shin-Onomichi Station, which is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen. Onomichi Station is located at the western end of the downtown area, and Shin-Onomichi Station is located about three kilometers north of Onomichi Station. Traveling between the stations can be done by bus (15 minutes, 190 yen, every 15-30 minutes) or by taxi (10 minutes, 1400-1800 yen).
Two cycling terminals of the Shimanami Kaido are located about 150 meters from Onomichi Station: a regular one in a parking lot just west of the Green Hill Hotel on the waterfront and the Giant Onomichi shop beside the parking lot in the Onomichi U2 complex.
There are three short ferry services that provide frequent connections between central Onomichi and the neighboring Mukaishima Island. The one way ride costs 60-100 yen per person plus 10 yen for a bicycle.
There are also longer ferry lines to other islands along the Shimanami Kaido, including one to Setoda Port (40 minutes, 1300 yen one way, 8 boats/day), which provides access to the Hirayama Museum and Kosanji Temple. See the Shimanami Kaido page for more details about other ferry lines.
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