Tomonoura –
The small village, Hayao Miyazaki was fascinated.

Tomonoura, a small fisherman village, prospered as a central port of Seto Inland Sea.
From ancient times, the Inland Sea served as a main transport line between its caostal areas, and also between Japan and other countries, especialy Korea and China.
Tomonoura is called “The port waiting for the tide has changed”, because People were at anchor in Tomonoura harbor and wait for the tide has turned.
In this quite small town, there are over 20 temples and remarkably well-preserved merchant houses from the Edo period.
Like the old part of the village, the harbor has retained its Edo period harbor facilities, probably the only locality in Japan.
Having preserved its natural and historical heritage, the harbor, and in particular its central part, is irreplaceable.
These harbor facilities are highly regarded by The International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS.