Ondo no Seto

Ondo no SetoOndo BridgeTaira no KiyomoriKurecherry blossom

Hiroshima · Kure

34.2187°N, 132.5473°E

Ondo no Seto is a channel about ninety metres across between the mainland and Kurahashi island, one of the busiest stretches of water in the Inland Sea. Tradition holds that Taira no Kiyomori had it cut in the twelfth century to open the route to Itsukushima Shrine and to the China trade, and that he beckoned the setting sun back with his fan to finish the work in a day.

The crimson Ondo Bridge spans it in a spiral loop, coiling to gain height so shipping can pass beneath, which makes driving it faintly absurd and looking at it very good. The park on the headland above holds around 2,300 cherry trees that flower against the red steel from late March. The 90-metre ferry that crossed here, said to be the shortest scheduled sea route in Japan, was discontinued in October 2021.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Open at all times

Closed: Open year-round

Entrance Fee

Free

Best Season

Late March–early April for cherry blossom | Late April–May for azaleas

Visit Duration

60 minutes

Getting There

Access Information

Kegoya, Kure, at the channel between the mainland and Kurahashi island. About 25 minutes by car from Kure IC on the Hiroshima-Kure Road, or by bus to the Ondo-tosenguchi stop and about 10 minutes on foot. Ondo no Seto Park on the headland is free, with about 2,300 cherry trees flowering from late March to early April and azaleas following. The Ondo ferry across the 90 m channel was discontinued in October 2021.

Insider Guide

Premium

**The ferry is gone.** The 90-metre crossing, often called Japan's shortest scheduled sea route, ended in October 2021. A lot of guidance still lists it. **Go up to the park for the view.** The headland above the bridge is where the spiral and the channel read properly. From the road you are inside the structure and cannot see it. **Late March to early April for the cherries.** Around 2,300 trees against crimson steel, with azaleas after them. It is the local hanami spot rather than a tourist one. **The bridge loops to gain height.** Shipping has to pass underneath, so the approach spirals. Driving it once in each direction is worth the detour. **Kiyomori's sun.** The story that he called back the setting sun to finish the cut in one day is why this channel is in the Heike Monogatari and why there is a memorial mound here.

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