[View Cherry Blossoms! Ondo no Seto—the Straits of Ondo (Kure)]
Ondo no Seto is a 90-meter-wide strait that runs between the Kegoyacho area of Kure and Ondo, Kurahashi Island.
In 1162, Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181), a preeminent military commander at the time, opened the Ondo Seto as a sea route for trade with the Song Dynasty in China. Wanting to complete the work as the construction neared completion, Taira no Kiyomori is said to have waved his fan at the setting sun, saying, “I can finish it with a few more rays of sunshine.”
It is said that he beckoned the sun to return so the construction could be completed.
Two red bridges span the Ondo no Seto: the Ondo Ohashi, completed in 1961, and the Second Ondo Ohashi, completed in 2013. The Ondo Ohashi was the first bridge in Japan to adopt a spiraling elevated bridge technology. This was because there was little land available on the Ondo side. The color of the two bridges was chosen to match the vermilion of Itsukushima Shrine, which Taira no Kiyomori had built.
Today, approximately 700 vessels of all sizes come and go daily, and the sight of ships passing through the narrow strait between the two bridges is a special sight not seen anywhere else.
On the Ondo side of Ondo Seto is the Ondo Civic Center designed by Kengo Kuma, the famous architect who designed the New National Stadium (the main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics). It is a popular spot for those studying architecture.
Furthermore, with approximately 2,300 cherry trees in bloom from late March to early April and approximately 8,300 red and white azaleas in bloom from late April to early May, Ondo no Seto Park offers a wonderful view of the vermillion Ondo Ohashi Bridge from its Kegoyacho side.
Location: Kegoyacho, Kure
▼Recommended Tour
Kure Bay Ship Tour
Set sail on a cruise and get an up-close view of mighty ships (duration: about 30 minutes)! The evening cruise that departs at sunset is also highly recommended.
*(You may want to use an extension to translate pages in Japanese.)
Konnichiwa! My name is Anne.
I live in a port town called Kure City, 40 minutes by car from Hiroshima City.
We have many beautiful islands. There is an abundance of seafood and fruits.
The place is surrounded by sea and mountains. You can experience walking on narrow streets, hiking on mountains and even climbing stairs.
Strolling around the town is also enjoyable.
You will surely find your own Seto Inland Sea trip here!
