Tomonoura: The Setting of Ponyo, Waiting Tide Port Retaining Edo-Period Port Town Atmosphere

Tomonoura in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima is a historic port town long known as a "tide-waiting port." Flourishing since ancient times as a strategic point in the Seto Inland Sea, it was also used as a port of call by Korean communication envoys. It is one of the few ports in Japan retaining Edo-period stone structures (stone steps/gangi, stone lanterns, breakwaters) in their original condition.

Model for Ghibli Film "Ponyo"

Tomonoura is known as the place where director Hayao Miyazaki stayed for an extended period during the conceptualization of Studio Ghibli film "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" (2008). The seaside town appearing in the film is said to be modeled on Tomonoura, and fans visit on "sacred site pilgrimages."

Edo-Period Scenery

Tomonoura port still retains "gangi" (stone steps — tiered jetties corresponding to tidal changes). Also preserved are port facilities continuing from the Edo period including stone lanterns (over 5m tall lighthouses), tade (tar-boiling sites), and hato (breakwaters), precious scenery retaining an Edo-period port atmosphere.

Sensui Island and Benten Island

"Sensui Island" floating opposite Tomonoura is a beautiful uninhabited island designated as a National Scenic Beauty as one of Japan's five colored rock sites. A 5-minute ferry ride away.

Access

About 30 minutes by bus from JR Fukuyama Station (alight at Tomonoura).