http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2743877-japan53-onomichi/

Onomichi is a quaint town located along the Seto Inland Sea in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture. The town extends from the mainland across some of the neighboring islands, which are connected by the bridges of the Shimanami Kaido. Small ferries operate between the downtown area and the nearby islands, adding to Onomichi's nostalgic port town atmosphere

Onomichi

Onomichi

Onomichi is characterized by its many slopes, up and around which the town spreads. Many of the town's attractions are located along the slopes, and visitors will need to walk up the narrow lanes that cut through the residential areas to reach them. Onomichi's famous Temple Walk, for example, will take visitors up and down the slopes as it leads past the route's 25 temples.Onomichi has been the filming location for numerous movies and television dramas. One of the most unique attractions of Onomichi is the Shimanami Kaido. The route, which passes across bridges and islands of the Seto Inland Sea, is the only land connection between Japan's main island of Honshu and Shikoku that is traversable by cyclists and pedestrians

 Shimanami Kaido

The Shimanami Kaido is a 60 kilometer long toll road that connects Japan's main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, passing over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as the Nishiseto Expressway. There are two other land connections between Shikoku and Honshu, but the Shimanami Kaido is the only one traversable by foot or bicycle.The Shimanami Kaido begins on Honshu in Onomichi City. It then leads across the six islands before terminating on Shikoku in Imabari City. The route was opened in 1999, so the bridges are modern and attractive. Along the way, travelers can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the islands' small towns.

Cycling is a popular

means of experiencing

the Shimanami

Kaido

The bicycle route is well marked and maintained, and diverges from the expressway on the islands.

Two separate bicycle rental systems are offered along the Shimanami Kaido: the regular rental system features over a dozen terminals dotted along the cycling course, while a newer one is operated by bicycle manufacturer Giant with two terminals

Both systems allow tourists to rent their bicycles at one end of the route and drop it off at the other end, or - in case of the regular system - to stop anywhere in between when they become tired and take a bus for the rest of their journey

 The Shimanami Kaido (“kaido” -

literally means “sea road”) is the

expressway which links the main

islands of Honshu and Shikoku

through a series of bridges and islands

The Shimanami Kaido is drawing attention

internationally as a "Cyclists’Sanctuary" for its

uniqueness as a cycling sea route, offering cyclists picture-

perfect views of the islands dotting the Seto Inland Sea

 Senko-ji Temple, Onomichi

The ribbon chapel, Onomichi

Located in the grounds of a

luxury resort, this wedding chapel

designed by Hiroshi

Nakamura has been configured

as a double spiral, formed of two

separate stairways

In order to ensure sea views, the

structure has been elevated

above the trees, with an

observation platform at a

height of 15.4 meters offering

sweeping coastal vistas

This wedding chapel stands in a garden of a resort hotel,

“Bella Vista Sakaigahama,” in Onomichi, Hiroshi

In a reference to the union of

marriage, the building’s dual

stairways start at different locations

before spiraling together to form

one singular structure

The intertwining pathways also

form the chapel’s roofs, eaves and walls, enclosing the central nave

The bride and groom climb

separate stairways to meet at the top, ask for

heaven’s permission to join

as one, and declare their

marriage. The two, who have lived separate

lives, then walk back down the

stairway together

In conjunction with a large oculus skylight, glass windows between the stairways allow the interior space to forge a close relationship with the surrounding

environment, while minimizing dependence on artificial lighting

The building’s exterior is finished with painted timber panels clad with a titanium zinc alloy – a material resistant to damage from the sea breeze

The simple building is composed only of paths, along which sceneries of ocean, mountains, sky, and distant islands successively appear and disappear

The central nave that contains

seating for up to 80 guests

The ribbon chapel, Onomichi

The ribbon chapel, Onomichi

Iwakuni Arch The Kintai Bridge The underside of Kintai Bridge

Iwakuni Arch Kintai bridge,

south of Hiroshima

The Kintai Bridge is a

historical wooden arch

bridge, in the city of Iwakuni, south

of Hiroshima

The Kintai Bridge is a historical wooden arch bridge, in the city of Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima

The bridge was built in 1673, spanning the Nishiki River in a series of five wooden arches.

The bridge is located on the foot of Mt.Yokoyama, at the top

of which lies Iwakuni Castle

Hiroshige II Suō Iwakuni Kintaikyō of 100 Views of the Provinces

Text & pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Anne Akiko Meyers plays Ennio Morricone's 'Love' Theme (Cinema Paradiso) with the London Symphony Orchestra 2016