Japan’s Setouchi region abounds with gorgeous landscapes and seascapes formed by the rich topography of the Seto Inland Sea. From dramatic coastlines, dense forests, and towering peaks, to mountainside shrines, historical landmarks, and bridges connecting islands, Setouchi welcomes visitors to explore its natural and cultural environments – mindfully and in motion.
Whether on foot or on two wheels, immersed in local lifestyles, following sea routes that seem to travel back in time, or simply taking the time to sit in silence and savor the surroundings, these recommended experiences offer slow, sensory journeys toward personal wellness, deeper understanding, and quiet bliss.
Asageshiki morning walk and open-air tea ceremony
Japan’s Setouchi region abounds with gorgeous landscapes and seascapes formed by the rich topography of the Seto Inland Sea. From dramatic coastlines, dense forests, and towering peaks, to mountainside shrines, historical landmarks, and bridges connecting islands, Setouchi welcomes visitors to explore its natural and cultural environments – mindfully and in motion.
Whether on foot or on two wheels, immersed in local lifestyles, following sea routes that seem to travel back in time, or simply taking the time to sit in silence and savor the surroundings, these recommended experiences offer slow, sensory journeys toward personal wellness, deeper understanding, and quiet bliss.
Asageshiki morning walk and open-air tea ceremony
This gentle morning ascent up Mt. Futaba leads guests past Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine, through a vermilion tunnel of torii gates to the natural sanctuary of Kinko Inari Shrine. After reaching the Peace Pagoda at the summit, they are invited to practice bathing mindfully in this sacred forest of guardians. At Okumiya, guests have the rare privilege of enjoying an authentic Japanese tea ceremony held in the rear shrine’s open-air setting, with a sweeping sunlit view of Hiroshima city, the Ota River Delta and the Seto Inland Sea beyond.
sokoiko! bicycle tour
sokoiko!’s signature Peace Tour guides visitors on a historical journey through downtown Hiroshima that begins and ends at the landmark Peace Memorial Park. Riding electric-assist bicycles, they can experience at ground-level the pulse of the city past and present – from the chilling ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome to the timeless streetcars that resumed service just days after the explosion on August 6, 1945, and that continue to be part of everyday life in Hiroshima today. Through engaging conversations with local guides, participants can gain a deeper understanding of both Hiroshima’s unspeakable tragedy and its remarkable post-war recovery.
Kamijima Tours
Winner of the Cycling category in the 2026 Setouchi DMO Awards, Kamijima Tours offer intimate, in-depth, unrushed and bespoke journeys through the Kamijima islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Just east of the more famous Shimanami Kaido, the islands are home to the “dreamier” Yumeshima Kaido; this being a more low-key cycling sea route across bridges and islands, with light traffic and tranquil coastal scenery. Visitors can pedal leisurely past quiet seaside shrines and encounter local lifestyles in fishing villages and citrus farms.
Michi-no-eki SAZANSETO TOWA
This roadside station in Suo-Oshima offers spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea. SAZANSETO TOWA sells a wide selection of local souvenirs and produce featuring mandarin oranges, while its upstairs restaurant serves seafood dishes from around the region. The facility also includes a tourist information desk and bicycle rentals, making it a central hub for exploring Suo-Oshima by bike. Route 437 runs along the scenic northern side of the island, with opportunities to cycle inland for panoramic mountaintop views.
Setouchi Alps Trekking
This hiking trail circles four peaks—Mt. Monju, Mt. Kano, Mt. Genmei, and Mt. Dake—in Suo-Oshima town, within the Seto Inland Sea National Park. The ridgeline formed by these mountains, at an elevation of around 600 meters, is affectionately known as the Setouchi Alps. Each mountain preserves historical sites that have long been objects of religious veneration, set among lush vegetation and seasonal blossoms. The Mt. Dake Observation Terrace offers a sweeping view of the surrounding archipelago stretching out to the Shikoku Mountains.
Tobishima Cycling
This beginner-friendly electric-assist bicycle tour follows the Akinada Tobishima Kaido sea route, which begins in the city of Kure and connects seven islands via seven bridges in the Seto Inland Sea. Participants cycle along coastal and quiet island roads, experiencing local lifestyles in distinct settlement structures and port townscapes that are unique to each island. As featured in the 2021 Japanese film “Drive My Car”, the route culminates in Mitarai, a diligently preserved Edo-period townscape of merchant houses on the island of Osaki-Shimojima.
