Top Things to do in Fukuyama
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What to do and see in Fukuyama, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Fukuyama, Japan including Tomo no Ura, Sensui Island, Fukuzen-ji Temple, Fukuyama Castle, Abuto Kannon (Bandai-ji Temple Kannondo), Ota House, Myooin Temple, Sakamoto Ryoma Shukuhakuato, Fukuyama City Zoo, Miroku no sato.
Restaurants in Fukuyama
1. Tomo no Ura
Overall Ratings
4 based on 376 reviews
Reviewed By Ruckdee - Bangkok, Thailand
We were traveling from Miyajima in the direction of Himeji with the actual destination being an area called Washuzan. The driving distance was almost 200 kilometers so we decided to find a stop area midway for lunch. Our choice was a small detour to Tomo no Ura. It is a small port town with not too many tourists. We did a walk around, had lunch and coffee at a small café near the lighthouse, and continued with our journey.
You can expect to spend two hours here. Accommodations are available in this town should you want to stay overnight but we did not plan for that.
2. Sensui Island
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By bbczeuz - Zug
It's less than 10' from Tomo-no ura by ferry. There are several Beaches and easy hikes (20', 30' and 60' round-trip). Great views and sunsets from the outlooks, a campsite with fixed tents (tatami + fridge (!)) and two ryokans.
3. Fukuzen-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By HotEarth - Melbourne, Australia
There were hardly a handful of tourists here when we visited. There was indeed the view of a small island with a pagoda, framed by this temple (church?) structures. Beautiful and appealing! This alone is worth the visit. The caretaker was exceptionally helpful, despite speaking no english. She showed us to an old fixed telescope with a direct view of the pagoda. She was also ever ready to help us take some photos with the framed background.
Besides the view, the lure for me to this place was to see first hand how some Japanese practice christianity despite it being suppress...the statue of virgin mary in the image of the buddhist kannon said it all. No photography though.
I like this place for all its originality and thoughtfulness.
4. Fukuyama Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By ART196
Fukuyama Castle shares the tragic fate of many Castles in big cities that were preserved for posterity and survived the Meiji Restoration: it’s towering tenshukaku (main keep) was destroyed by allied aerial bombardment during the war. However, it was reconstructed as a museum in 1966. Besides which, two structures remain as originally built: the Sujigane Go’mon (Iron-reinforced Great Gate), and Fushimi Yagura (turret), dating to 1622 on site, although it was originally assembled even earlier at Fushimi Castle in Kyōto (thus the name).
Destroyed during the war but reconstructed:
Kagami Yagura (Mirror Turret), rebuilt 1974
Shōrō (turret with bell inside), rebuilt 1979, a uniquely designed structure designated as a municipal level important cultural property.
Yudono (bath house), rebuilt 1966.
Other structures: Tsukimi Yagura (Moon-viewing Turret), destroyed during the Meiji Restoration, now rebuilt.
Throughout the Edo Period Fukuyamajō was one of the greatest Castles in the land, and there is still much to marvel at today, including incredible Ishigaki (stonewalls). I was impressed by the huge castle tower and surrounding complex. The train station is built on the filled-in moat, so the castle walls are immediately opposite when one comes out of the station, quite the surprise. It’s very easy to visit whilst passing through to Hiroshima or wherever.
History:
In 1622 the Shogunate sent Mizuno Katsunari to build a castle here. Far away from Edo, Mizuno was the first Fudai-Daimyō in the region and his strategic position between two Tozama-Daimyō was of great importance to the Bakufu (regime). Fudai-Daimyō were those daimyō and their descendents enfranchised with territory for helping the Tokugawa rise to power. These daimyō often occupied strategic bases throughout the country with small land holdings designed to serve as checks on the power of Tozama-Daimyō. Whilst Tozama-Daimyō only submitted to the Tokugawa after the Battle of Sekigahara, the loyal Fudai-Daimyō supported Tokugawa Ieyasu from early on (insider-outsider dichotomy) , and the government was formed from Fudai-Daimyō thereafter, with Tozama-Daimyō vassals rarely holding important positions. Therefore, given the position of Fukuyamajō between two “Outsider Daimyō” territories, it was important that it be a powerful stronghold displaying the power of the Shogunate. The government aided the construction of Fukuyamajō by sending money, building materials and even whole buildings. The castle quickly became a powerhouse and remained one of the strongest castle complexes throughout the proto-modern period.
5. Abuto Kannon (Bandai-ji Temple Kannondo)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Stephan1954 - The Hague, The Netherlands
Wonderful location on a cliff. Easy parking and walk to the temple. Only a moderate number of steps for a change. Worth a visit and only a short drive from Fukuyama.
6. Ota House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Kwakaku - Sakai, Japan
Of course, you can learn a lot on how to make sake, but we found it a little bit too poor as we have already visited some sake wineries in Kobe, Kyoto and etc,
7. Myooin Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By お遍路さん京都市 - 京都市
観光地の評価は単なる「人気投票」なのかな？ここの評価も「何で？？」と思わざるを得ない程度に(わたし的には)不当に低く評価されているみたいと感じる。この寺院へは二度目の参拝だが、どう考えても私の感覚ではここは「当地一番」と思われるのだが・・。本堂も五重塔も国宝、寺院の縁起も１２００年超、仏像も平安前期のもの、長い土塀に囲まれた手入れされた境内、観音堂も素晴らしい！、大昔の「草戸千軒町遺跡」から出土した石塔も境内にはあって・・・他に何が必要なの？と云う程度に寺院として、観光地として必要な要素は全部揃っているのに・・・この評価？？しかも、ここは当初は空海の創建らしいが、その後の維持は一部の大金持ちや時の為政者、貴族、天皇等が直接関与しているのじゃなくて、地域の民衆の支えで現在まで維持出来て来た寺院のはず・・・選挙に出たタレントを人気投票並みの感覚で投票するみたいに、文化財を知ってる、知らないとか、便利不便とか、好き嫌いだけで形式的に評価してもいいのかな？そんなことしたら寺院に失礼なのでは？と思われるほどの古寺名刹でした。素晴らしい！！
8. Sakamoto Ryoma Shukuhakuato
9. Fukuyama City Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By ハッピハピ - 岡山
もう何回行ったか分からないくらい行ってます。入園料は15歳以上は500円。行くなら、事前にエサやりの時間を調べてから行ったほうがいいです！キリンさんと、ライオンはするべきです。ライオンは、先着2組なので、早めに行って並んでおかないとできないので、せっかく行くなら並んででもしたほうがいいです。運が良ければキリンさんがふらーっと間近に歩いてくるので目の前で見れて感動です。お弁当は持参してもキレイなテーブルとイスはないので、敷物はいると思います。動物園のあとは、毎回必ず駐車場となりの遊具で遊びます！何回行っても子供たちは大喜びです。
10. Miroku no sato
Overall Ratings
4 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By rachmob - Tauranga
Miroku no sato is a retro amusement park that makes for a good family day out. The park itself has seen better days, and doesn't compare at all to major parks in other parts of Japan, but it is uncrowded and has a range of rides without the long lines. The Showa era village is very well done, and if you go in winter, as we did, you can spend a whole day there and do all the rides several times. Recommended for families, and good value for money if you buy the free pass.
