Visit the Seto Inland Sea to enjoy the rural area and priceless nature. Hiroshima is famous for the floating shrine in Miyajima Island. San’in region is less populated, where you will find things you can’t expect in other regions, such as the massive sand dunes in Tottori prefecture.
Highlights
Miyajima
Miyajima Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hiroshima prefecture. It only takes 10 minutes on the ferry from the main island of Japan. The Itsukushima shrine located in the center of the island is one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan. When the tide rises, a beautiful reflection of the shrine can be seen on the surface of the water. Itsukushima shrine and Ukimido are registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites, and you can even see wild deer on the island. Also, enjoy hands-on activities such as making Momiji Manju (maple leaf shaped steamed bun with red bean paste) and branding designs on Shamoji (rice spoons).
Kurashiki
In Kurashiki city, traditional and beautiful houses, warehouses, and stone bridges are preserved and lined up along the river. In the most popular Kurashiki Bikan Area, you can take a stroll and enjoy river rafting. In Kurashiki, also known as the birthplace of denim in Japan, you are sure to discover your favorite jeans.
Setouchi Sea and surrounding islands
The Seto Inland Sea is dotted with thousands of surrounding islands. Taste the famous olives on Shodoshima Island and experience the art at Naoshima Island with its modern museums, architecture, and sculptures. These islands can be reached in about an hour from Takamatsu Port, just outside Takamatsu station of Kagawa prefecture.
More Destinations
- Hiroshima City
- Hiroshima city is one of the major cities in Japan with more than one million inhabitants. It is known for the atomic bombing in 1945. The history is passed down in the Atomic Bomb Dome and Memorial Park, the symbol of peace. Try Okonomiyaki, a famous pancake dish in Hiroshima. The Shimanami Kaido, which connects several islands with bridges from Onomichi, is a great cycling road with a length of 70km.
- Tottori City and Around
- Tottori Sand Dunes is the largest sand dunes in Japan, stretching about 16 km along the coast. Along the dunes, you can also see the amazing beach of Uradome Coast, so why don't you take a camel ride and explore it? Mt. Daisen, which is known for not having erupted for thousands of years, is also the best spot for hiking.
- Shimane
- Izumo City, in Shimane prefecture, is famous for Izumo Taisha Shrine, which is considered to be the oldest shrine in Japan. After passing through the huge torii gate and as you approach the shrine, the wooden otorii gate is a sight to behold. In Matsue City, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Adachi Museum of Art and the gardens of Yushien.
- Shimonoseki
- Shimonoseki, a port town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, has a famous tourist spot called Kakushima Bridge, where you can see the glow of bright blue shallows under the long bridge in summer. At Karato Market, be sure to try the pufferfish, which is most produced in Japan.