The Setouchi region is filled with stunning natural landscapes, from varied coastlines to awe-inspiring mountain ranges. Naturally, this makes the region a favourite with travellers, but it’s not all about the scenery. The region’s living history tells a captivating cultural story to those who visit.
Takehara – A Taste of Traditional Craftsmanship
Having flourished as a transportation hub since the Muromachi period (1330-1570), Takehara City is a port town located on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. Takehara has ensured that its architectural heritage remains a strong theme in its modern-day story with townhouses preserved from the mid-Edo period through the Meiji era (1700-1912), and historic structures like former banks, inns, and sake-related buildings now repurposed as guest accommodations. It’s no surprise Takehara is referred to as the “Little Kyoto of Aki.”
For one of Takehara’s most memorable experiences, visit the Fujii Shuzo Sake Brewery where tours culminate in a tasting overlooking the courtyard. Staying true to traditional methods of sake brewing, Fujii Shuzo offers guests more than a simple demonstration providing walk-through sake heritage.
Fujii Shuzo Sake Brewery
Price: Free (Certain tastings charge a fee and require prior reservation)
Access: Approx. 15-minute walk from Takehara Station
Udatsu Town – The Secrets of “Japan Blue”
“Udatsu” refers to the fireproof walls that adorn the townhouses of this tranquil town. The structures were once a symbol of great wealth. Now designated as an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings,” this historic cluster of houses has stood tall for generations, with some dating back to the Edo period.
Udatsu Townscape has preserved not only traditional housing, but also craftsmanship with workshops offering a unique indigo-dyeing experience. “Awa-ai,” known as “Japan Blue,” was a prized indigo hue, so precious that its recipe was closely guarded and its distribution controlled. Visitors to Udatsu can uncover these secrets, all while surrounded by the splendor of the town’s historic architecture.
Yamauchi Indigo Dyeing Workshop
Price: Dyed Items start from ¥1,320
Access: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from Anabuki Station.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter – Marrying the Past and the Present
Along the Kurashiki River lie the white-walled facades of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. During the 1600s, in stark contrast to samurai-ruled Okayama, this town was administered by its merchants and overseen by the shogunate as a “tenryo” (shogunate-controlled territory). This strong connection to commercial enterprise is reflected in the preserved “kurayashiki,” warehouses used to store rice and produce. These buildings stand as monuments to Kurashiki’s past, while today blending with more modern Japanese architecture to create a striking contrast.
Visitors can learn about the town’s rich history through the “Discover Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter Walking Tour,” which not only explores its heritage, but also explains how past and present coexist within Kurashiki. Guides share stories passed down by their own ancestors, making sure the flame of old tradition continues to burn bright.
Discover Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter Walking Tour
Price: From 13,200 yen per person
Access: Approx. 13 minutes on foot from Kurashiki Station
Ozu Castle Town Regeneration – Telling Stories of Generations Past
Having escaped the ravages of the Second World War, Ozu is a castle town that has preserved and now celebrates its architectural heritage from the Edo and Meiji periods. Once a thriving area, the population of the “Little Kyoto of Iyo” has declined but its buildings have continued to stand tall. Yet, Ozu’s story is not merely one of preservation, but of cultural regeneration. Through community-led projects, this historic townscape is being revived with once-vacant buildings repurposed primarily as accommodations.
Visitors to the town can enjoy being led around by “Tsumugi-bito” -residents in the area who are keen to retain their sense of local identity and connection to past generations. Through their eyes, visitors can learn about a rich past, a hard-fought present, and the hopes for future generations in preserving this cultural gem.
OZU STORIES Walking Tour
Price: ¥16,000 (Price-per-person decreases with larger group sizes)
Kobe: A Diverse and Historic Port City
After the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868, Kobe quickly became one of the largest international trading ports in Japan. Having already prospered as a commercial hub since the Nara Period (710-794), a post-Meiji Restoration Kobe quickly became more than just a busy logistics centre also becoming a symbol for foreign diversity and global culture. Culinary innovation, with Western-style dishes served alongside local delicacies like Kobe Beef, were significant but other artistic influences soon followed with jazz, rock, cinema, golf, and other cultural pastimes helping to form the identity of modern Kobe.
The Kobe Maritime Museum performs a vital role in teaching the history of this historic port city. Charting Kobe’s evolution from trading hub to cultural cornerstone, the museum has numerous artifacts, models, videos, graphics, and hands-on exhibits. Partially reopened in September 2026 (including panel displays near the entrance showcasing the history of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the theater exhibits), visitors can see actual motorcycles including the Ninja, which is popular in Europe and the U.S. and jet skis on display, as well as try out riding simulations.
Kobe Maritime Museum
Price: ¥900 (Adults) ¥400 (Children)
Himeji Castle – A Standing Monument to Political History
With major renovations taking place after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Himeji Castle stands as a monument to the history of Japanese political dynasties. Himeji Castle was designated as a National Treasure in 1951 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Remarkably well preserved, the “White Heron Castle” rises as a five-story, seven-tiered architectural masterpiece; its white plaster said to have protected the castle from past fires.
The town surrounding Himeji Castle quickly became a hub for trade and transport excelling in the production of staples like soy sauce and mirin. As such, this castle town takes pride in its local cuisine, and visitors are encouraged to try delicacies such as Himeji oden and conger eel. The town also features a stunning nine-garden park, Koko-en, with Himeji Castle providing a stunning backdrop.
Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden
Price: ¥2,600 (Combined Ticket for Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden)
Access: It takes about 30 minutes to get from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen; from there, take a bus to the Otemon-mae bus stop, then walk for 5 minutes.
Hagi Castle Town – Immersing into Centuries-old History
Following defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Mori Terumoto built Haji Castle on Mount Shizuki in 1604. While the castle itself was demolished, its structural remains still stand to tell their own story. The castle grounds become a popular tourist destination in spring when approximately 600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees produce an astoundingly beautiful pink bloom.
The surrounding historic castle town allows visitors to walk through a piece of history. White-walled streetscapes line the traditional pathways, and visitors can even take rickshaw rides past historic residences that once belonged to important figure. Afterwards, guests can take part in traditional tea ceremonies while dressed in an elegant kimono, rounding out a truly immersive and storied experience.
Hagi Castle Ruins
Price: ¥220 (Adults) ¥100 (Children)
Visitors can explore the best of the Setouchi Region by choosing from one of 23 ‘Setouchi Journeys’, where curated routes take travellers on three to five-night journeys across the region. Find out more about the different routes and itineraries here.
