Renowned for seascapes dotted with islands and majestic coastlines, Setouchi is one of the most picturesque regions in Japan. From tall mountains overlooking the sea to 1000-year-old rural villages thriving on the spoils of surrounding natural landscapes, here are some of the region’s top scenic spots to explore and what to do there.
Mt Rokko
Now a popular summer retreat and leisure spot for locals and travellers alike, has long been a sacred site. Following the opening of the Maya Cable Car in 1925, which made access to the mountain easier, visitors can ascend the mountain to enjoy sweeping views of Kobe City and Osaka Bay as well as the variety of well-maintained hiking trails that allow you to experience Mt Rokko’s changing natural beauty throughout the four seasons. Visit in the evening as the sun sets for incredible panoramic night views – known in Japan as the “10 Million Dollar Night View”.
Mōri Garden
The Mōri Family Garden, located on the southern slopes of Mount Tatara in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan. As the former main residence and garden of the Chōshū Domain lords, the Mori family, these expansive grounds feature a pond garden, a lawn plaza, avenues lined with cherry blossom trees, and historic buildings. With a changing seasonal landscape throughout the year, you’ll discover a variety of photogenic spots while the onsite Mōri Museum allows you to learn about the cultural history of the site and its natural beauty simultaneously.
Ōhirayama Sancho Park
Situated at the top of Mount Ōhira, the highest peak in Hofu City, Ōhirayama Sancho Park offers panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and the Hofu Plain from the park’s observation plaza. With generously sized lawn areas, playgrounds, and multipurpose open spaces, the park is a popular leisure destination for families and travellers. Enjoy the spectacular sight of around 100,000 azalea plants in bloom in spring which cover the summit in a blanket of vibrant pink.
Iwai Island
Iwai Island is the southern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture and is the perfect place for travellers seeking a slow-paced and immersive cultural journey. Here, you can experience the island’s traditional fishing village culture which remains very much alive and is a huge part of the island’s identity to this day. Must-see sights on the island include the stone-built neriberi walls, the labyrinthine alleys, the beautiful, terraced rice fields, and the cherry blossoms in the spring season.
Higashi Ushirobata Tanada Rice Terraces
Located in the Yuya district of Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, these rice terraces are renowned as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields”. From around May to August, after sunset, the fishing lights of boats can be seen beyond the terraced rice fields, which makes the view particularly beautiful.
Sanagochi Village Terraced Rice Fields
Known for being a “Sanagōmura”, the terraced rice fields of Sanagochi are fed by the waters of the Ōgawara Highlands. The rice fields have created a beautiful rural landscape of long and narrow paddies. Travellers can enjoy some of the best scenic views of the fields from the Funō district, which has an elevation of around 200 metres.
Nakazu Banshoen Garden
Built in 1688 by Takatoyo Kyōgoku, lord of the Marugame domain, on the seashore of Nakazu, Nakazu Banshoen is a strolling-style feudal lord’s garden. Hakkei Pond lies at the centre of the garden and is modelled after Lake Biwa. The pond features eight islands and a series of bridges connecting them. Visit the oldest teahouse of Kanchōrō to see the 650-year-old “Great Umbrella Pine”, the garden’s art gallery displaying a fusion of Western art and Japanese garden design, and the ceramics museum, which features Oriental pottery for both a scenic and cultural experience.
Shikoku Karst
Situated in a highland region stretching across Ehime and Kochi Prefectures and elevated 1,000-1,500 metres above sea level, Shikoku Karst is one of Japan’s three major karst landscapes. Here, you’ll discover grasslands dotted with limestone rocks and grazing cattle, the Tengu Highlands, the stunning plateau of Mezuru Daira, and the expansive, lush green grasslands of Ōnogahara.
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
