Onomichi (尾道市, Onomichi-shi) is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

As of 31 January 2023, the city had an estimated population of 129,314 in 64055 households and a population density of 450 persons per km². The total area of the city is 285.11 square kilometres (110.08 sq mi).

Onomichi is located in southeastern Hiroshima Prefecture. It faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south, and the coastline is intricate and forms part of the Setonaikai National Park. The main urban concentration is in a narrow band on the coast, where there is very little flat land. Because of its unique scenery, it is often used as a filming location for movies.

Hiroshima Prefecture

• Fuchū
• Fukuyama
• Mihara
• Sera

Onomichi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by cool to mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average annual temperature in Onomichi is 15.9 °C (60.6 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,138.4 mm (44.82 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F), and lowest in January, at around 5.7 °C (42.3 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Onomichi was 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) on August 15, 2024; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −6.3 °C (20.7 °F) on 26 February 1981.

Per Japanese census data, the population of Onomichi in 2020 is 131,170 people. Onomichi has been conducting censuses since 1960.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1950	185,084	—
1955	183,338	−0.9%
1960	182,497	−0.5%
1965	181,038	−0.8%
1970	183,325	+1.3%
1975	185,503	+1.2%
1980	180,901	−2.5%
1985	177,532	−1.9%
1990	166,930	−6.0%
1995	159,890	−4.2%
2000	155,200	−2.9%
2005	150,225	−3.2%
2010	145,217	−3.3%
2015	138,626	−4.5%
2020	131,170	−5.4%
Onomichi population statistics

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• 1168: The city's port opened and for the next 500 years served as a rice shipment center and port for all trades with foreign countries. Its commercial significance somewhat wavered during the Tokugawa period.
• 1898: Onomichi Town in Mitsugi District becomes the second city in Hiroshima Prefecture on April 1.
• 1935: The RMS Adriatic was scrapped in Onomichi.
• 1937: The town of Kurihara and the village of Yoshiwa, both in Mitsugi District incorporated.
• 1939: The village of Sanba from Numakuma District incorporated.
• 1951: The village of Fukada from Mitsugi District incorporated.
• 1954: Three villages from Mitsugi District incorporated.
• 1955: Three villages from Numakuma District incorporated.
• 1957: The village of Urasaki from Numakuma District incorporated.
• 1970: The town of Mukaihigashi from Mitsugi District incorporated.
• March 28, 2005: The towns of Mitsugi and Mukaishima (both from Mitsugi District) were merged into Onomichi.
• January 10, 2006: The towns of Innoshima and Setoda (both from Toyota District) were merged into Onomichi.

Onomichi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 26 members.Onomichi contributes three members to the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Hiroshima 5th district and Hiroshima 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The Kyodo-kai yakuza syndicate is based in Onomichi. The Kyodo-kai is the second largest yakuza group in the Chugoku region after the Hiroshima-based Kyosei-kai.

Onomichi has prospered as a port town and a commercial city. Before World War II, it had an economy comparable to that of Hiroshima City. Shipyards have existed in Onomichi, Mukaishima, and Innoshima for a long time due to their location, which is blessed with water transport. In recent years, the shipbuilding industry has been in decline.

• Hitachi Zosen Corporation Onomichi dock
• JFE Shoji Trade Shipbuilding
• Mukaishima Dock
• Naikai Shipbuilding
• Onomichi Dockyard
• Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
• Universal Shipbuilding Onomichi dock

• Press Kogyo
• Union Plate Onomichi plant

• Nitto Denko Onomichi plant
• Yokohama Rubber Company Onomichi plant

• Mikan, Grape, Juncus effusus, Scallion

• Kamaboko, Stockfish, Tsukudani

• Onomichi FM
• Onomichi Cable Television

• Keibunsha

• Onomichi City University

Onomichi features 24 public elementary schools, 16 public junior high schools, and one public high school operated by the City Government. Additionally, six public high schools fall under the administration of the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education. The city also hosts one private middle school and one private high school, contributing to a diverse educational landscape. Moreover, the prefecture operates two special education schools for individuals with disabilities.

JR West – San'yō Shinkansen

• Shin-Onomichi

JR West (JR West) - San'yō Main Line

• Onomichi - Higashi-Onomichi

• San'yō Expressway
• Onomichi Expressway
• Nishiseto Expressway (also known as the "Shimanami Kaidō")
• National Route 2
• National Route 184
• National Route 317
• National Route 486

• Chiayi, Taiwan
• Imabari, Ehime, Japan
• Higashiizumo, Shimane, Japan
• Honfleur, France
• Jung District, Busan, Korea
• Taichung, Taiwan

The city is known for its many temples such as the Buddhist Senkō-ji Temple (founded in the 9th century), has a shipbuilding yard and a motor factory. It offers a steamship service to ports of northern Shikoku and islands in the Inland Sea.