Onomichi City is located in the southeastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, in the central-southern part of the Sanyo region. As it is located halfway between Okayama City and Hiroshima City, the area serves as a buffer zone between the two regions. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, the city has long flourished as a distribution center for maritime goods. It remains one of the leading cities in the Bingo metropolitan area, playing a central role in the economy. The Chugoku Expressway is currently under construction, and once opened, it is expected to become a key transportation hub as a crossroads of the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known nationwide as a "city of slopes," "city of literature," and "city of film," and has been the setting for many novels and movies. There are many temples and shrines within the city, including ancient temples such as Senkoji Temple and Komyo-ji Temple, which are popular tourist spots.