Japan's Setouchi region launches 23 suggested 'Setouchi Journeys'

The Setouchi Region is made up of seven prefectures surrounding the Seto Inland Sea including Okayama, Kagawa and Hiroshima and is an area known for its year-round good climate, Each of the 23 Setouchi Journeys ranges from three to five days and includes suggested accommodation, activities and ways to get between them, by train, boat and bike, that embrace the idea of slow travel and provide an opportunity to relax into traditional ways of life.

Some of the experiences highlighted include the opportunity to witness the Sea of Clouds at samurai fortress Bitchu Maysuyama Castle, where between autumn and early spring the castle peaks out from the clouds to create a picture-perfect phenomenon. Another journey guides travellers to Shodoshima island, home to 25% of all traditional soy sauce producers in Japan and the opportunity to tour and taste at 150-year-old Yamaroku Soy Sauce’s artisanal moromi brewing house. Here they still make all their soy sauce in 84 wooden ‘living’ cedar barrels. A short ferry ride away is UMITOTA, a private house accommodation designed by fashion designer Akira Minagawa, with wrap around views and the chance to participate in rice planting and harvesting. Also included in this itinerary is part of the Shimanami Kaido bike route, a 70km route that links six islands including Ikuchijimi, known as the island of lemons and art. Cycling here reveals 17 open-air sculptures, lemon orchards and local specialities like Setoda lemon and Hakata salt gelato.

Mr. Akimoto from Setouchi DMO comments: ‘Our goal with these journeys is not just to provide visitors to Japan with the tools to be confident expanding their travels beyond the classic tourist hubs, but also to shine a spotlight on specific points of interest that are unique to our region, have shaped globally-recognised icons of Japanese culture or are, quite simply, unexpected.’

The Setouchi Region can be reached by Shinkansen with stations in the region including Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima and Shin-Yamaguchi.