Standing on top of a hill, surrounded by views of the sea and mountains, is a hotel that serves as both a sanctuary and relaxing getaway. This is the Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi—a resort where all guest rooms feature breathtaking vistas of the beautiful ocean landscape. It’s the ultimate wellness destination for travelers looking for a place where relaxation and luxury meet to give travelers an unforgettable experience.
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Pamper yourself at the Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi
Onomichi City: An endearing town worth visiting for its culture and attractions
With its cozy rooms, restaurants, viewing baths, and spas, the Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi is a place where guests can have a blissful time.
Taste delicious cuisine to enjoy the Seto Inland Sea. Treat yourself to a luxurious, personalized beauty treatment in a private room. Enjoy the stunning views of the islands that reflect the changing seasons.
The Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi offers an experience like no other. Try out The Wellness Menu, which includes a room with a stunning view of the Seto Inland Sea. You will also get to eat meals made from fresh local ingredients. The best part is the spa—set to give you the ultimate relaxation experience you need. Enjoy sophistication in a luxurious space and appreciate the best views nature has to offer.
Experience a peaceful and exquisite time with a view of the sparkling Seto Inland Sea. For a truly relaxing vacation, why not book a night or two at this hotel?
The latest featured menu item is a special aesthetic menu that allows customers to experience Hiroshima's craftsmanship at Esthetique Salon Sagann, a private aesthetic salon with three private treatment rooms. The spa comes with complimentary treats, such as viewing baths, stone saunas, and a gym.
Get a special massage in the private beauty treatment and enjoy a moment of rest like no other. This is a place for ultimate relaxation—far away from the busyness of everyday life. Enjoy cutting-edge hospitality that remains true to the land’s traditions when you book your stay at this hotel.
The highlight of the spa experience is their use of SHAQUDA’s Kumano Fude—a special kind of craftsmanship brush.
SHAQUDA, a brush brand from Hiroshima, is famous as a brand specializing in makeup brushes used by women all over the world. Since its creation, SHAQUDA's brushes have evolved into calligraphy brushes, cosmetic brushes, and now even body care.
The unique skincare brushes from SHAQUDA are said to condition, smooth, and soothe the skin. The SUVÉ body brush, developed for body care comes in three types: soft, semi-hard, and hard. These brushes are a special kind of fluff used to scrub the skin when bathing. When used dry, it also promotes lymphatic drainage massage by stimulating the flow of lymph that runs 4 millimeters below the skin.
Get a facial massage using a "brush" with super texture and elasticity for the face. This Kumano brush facial massage is offered as a special therapy menu at Esthetique Salon Sagann in Bella Vista Spa & Marina Onomichi.
Onomichi is a charming little port town located along the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima prefecture. It's the perfect place to explore during your stay at the Bella Vista Marina & Spa. Despite its small size, there is much to see in Onomichi and its nearby islands. Tourists often have to walk through narrow lanes and even cut through residential areas to reach these spots.
Onomichi is also called “the miniature garden city” because of the narrow streets, stone paths, temples, and gardens that fill this little port town. Its charming view has inspired countless artists—writers, poets, filmmakers—to use Onomichi as the setting or backdrop for their work.
Onomichi, however, is more than just a picturesque seaside town. Its rich history as a coastal town dates back to the 1100s when Onomichi Port became an official port. It began to prosper during the Edo period when it became a sending-off port for annual tributes. Around that time, vessels called the “Kitamae Ship” began landing in Onochimi, connecting Hokkaido to Osaka.
If you're visiting Onomichi for the first time, here are some places to see:
Follow the Temple Walk and see 25 temples
For a city as small as Onomichi, there is a surprising number of temples dotting the landscape, making them one of the city’s main tourist attractions. They are easily accessible through a designated walking route in the downtown area, called the “Temple Walk.” The whole walk can take anywhere between half a day or a whole one. It depends on how much time you spend at each temple and if you decide to stop and see the other attractions along the way.
Follow the path that stretches about two and a half kilometers long, which will take you to 25 of these temples. This includes the Jodoji temple, built in the seventh century, and the Saikokuji Temple, dating back to the eighth century.
Another famous temple is the Senkoji Temple, a temple constructed in 806. It sits on the mountainside of Senkoji and is famous for its main hall, known as “Akado,” because of its vibrant red walls. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of the ocean, green forests, and blue skies from within the temple. If you’re looking for more thrill, you can try climbing the former spiritual training ground on top of Mt. Ishizuchi.
Go on a bike tour on the Shimanami Kaido (Nishi Seto Expressway)
The Shimanami Kaido, another popular tourist attraction, is a 60-kilometer road that stretches from Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari City in Ehime prefecture. It connects six islands across the Seto Inland Sea through bridges, allowing you to discover each island as you cross the sea. The expressway has a dedicated cycling road for those who want to go on a bike tour around the area.
Admire traditional Japanese artwork at the Hirayama Ikuo Museum
The Hirayama Ikuo Museum is dedicated to one of Japan’s most famous painters who worked in the traditional Japanese Nihonga style. The museum features three exhibition halls, a tea lounge, and a museum shop. You can see Hirayama’s works, some of which highlight themes such as peace, kept as part of the museum’s permanent collection.
For travelers coming from Tokyo, it's a 1.5-hour flight to Hiroshima Airport when flying with the JAL Japan Explorer Pass. From Hiroshima Airport, take the Shinkansen Nozomi or Shinkansen Sakura to Fukuyama. From Fukuyama, take the JR Sanyo to Onomichi.
Beyond Onomichi City lies the Seto Inland Sea and the Setouchi region. Each island has its customs and traditions that add to the charm of the coastal region.
Where is the Setouchi region in Japan?
The Setouchi region sits in the southern part of Japan, surrounding the Seto Inland Sea. It is composed of seven prefectures—Ehime, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Kagawa, Tokushima, and Yamaguchi.
What does Setouchi mean?
Setouchi means “the inland sea” in Japanese. Many people consider the Inland Sea between Hiroshima and Shikoku district to be the origin of the name of the region.
How many islands are there in Setouchi?
There are over 700 islands in the Setouchi region
Famous for their stunning ocean sceneries and historical and cultural sites, Setouchi and the Seto Inland Sea have long been the center of Japan’s shipping industry. In the Heian Period, powerful military leader Tairo no Kiyomori established a port in Setouchi for trade with the Song Dynasty in China. During the Edo Period, more ports were built to connect Osaka with the rest of northern Japan.
If this is your first time visiting Setouchi, you might be asking, “What is Setouchi famous for?”
Explore the different castles around the Setouchi region
When you travel through Setouchi, you will encounter several beautiful castles from different historical periods in Japan. Visit Okayama City to see the famous jet-black walls of Okayama Castle. Spend some time in Takamatsu City, home to one of Japan’s Three Great Water Castles, built alongside a body of water as a natural defense mechanism. Matuyama, also called the “Town of Literature,” has a castle tower, said to be one of the 12 surviving castles remaining from the Edo Period.
Visit the different islands for the Setouchi Triennale
The Setouchi Triennale, also known as the Setouchi International Art Festival, is a contemporary art festival held every three years on the different islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The festival's purpose is to bring contemporary art to the various islands, drawing tourists to visit those off-beat places. Visitors will get a chance to see the art, the slow-paced rural atmosphere, and the beautiful sceneries in the villages.
Go on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
If you want to spend some time meditating and walking through beautiful sites while experiencing Japan’s rich culture up close, you can try going on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, a journey that takes you through 88 temples located around the island of Shikoku. Eight of those temples are in Matsuyama City and have their own charms.
Take some time off and enjoy the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, Onomichi, and the rest of Setouchi. At The Bella Vista Spa & Marina, you’ll get the luxurious relaxation experience you’ve always wanted. Visit Onomichi and the nearby islands, all waiting for you to explore and discover the little treasures they hold.
Flying to Onomichi is easy as long as you have the JAL Japan Explorer Pass.
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