I’m not ignorant: I do know that only some individuals are looking out the web for a Setouchi journey information. Many individuals don’t even know {that a} Japanese area referred to as “Setouchi” exists!
Certainly, if I have been extra virtually minded, I would’ve optimized this web page to be a “Chugoku journey information” and even rolled it into the guides I’ve created for the cities of Hiroshima and Okayama. Possibly I’ll sooner or later.
For the way, nevertheless, in the event you’re planning on exploring the cities and cities round Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, I guarantee you: You’re in the fitting place!
What Constitutes the Setouchi Area?
In case you’re unclear about what qualifies as Setouchi, Japan, you’re not alone. The truth is, upon additional analysis, I spotted my very own definition of Setouchi (which, so far as I’m involved, is fairly knowledgeable) was maybe not full. In response to many web sites, the area truly extends as far east as Kobe metropolis and Hyogo prefecture, and as far west because the jap provinces of Kyushu island!
Now, with this being mentioned, I wouldn’t stress an excessive amount of about definitions. Many of the surroundings, tradition and delicacies that folks affiliate with Setouchi is concentrated within the south-facing coastal areas of Honshu island’s Chugoku area, and the northern coast of Shikoku. For the needs of your journey, you need to focus totally on these locations.
Core Setouchi Locations
Okayama
Whether or not you come to this metropolis to go to Korakuen (one in every of Japan’s “three nice gardens”) or to eat barazushi bowls overflowing with torn items of sashimi, or discover the broader prefecture by taking a day journey to the willow-lined canal of Kurashiki, Okayama is without doubt one of the anchors of the Setouchi area. Conveniently, all trains on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line cease right here.
Kagawa
One other must-visit vacation spot within the Setouchi area is Kagawa. Like Okayama, you possibly can curate your journey to be extra of much less city. Metropolis slickers might desire to remain in Takamatsu, which is house to Ritsurin, its personal award-winning backyard. Alternatively, you possibly can hike via the forests that shroud Kotohira-gu shrine, soak up ocean views (and eat udon) within the fortress city of Marugame or spend an evening in a “museum lodge” on Naoshima island.
Ehime
Matsuyama is Shikoku’s largest metropolis, however surrounding Ehime prefecture isn’t all streetcars and sidewalks. Even in Matsuyama-proper, the traditional quarter round Dogo Onsen (Japan’s oldest onsen) feels decidedly un-modern, to say nothing of the attractive coast-hugging rice terraces you discover in Uwajima, which like Matsuyama is house to its personal well-preserved fortress.
Hiroshima
One of many prefectures that’s most fantastically constructed into the Seto Inland Sea panorama is Hiroshima. Whereas town middle doesn’t essentially mirror this, peripheral locations actually hammer it house. Take a day journey to the harbor metropolis of Onomichi (whether or not or not you bike the Shimanami Kaido, which crosses over the ocean), or head to Miyajima island, the place you possibly can watch the solar behind a torii gate that seems to drift in it.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi prefecture makes up the “tip” of Honshu island as is the one prefecture of Japan that has coasts alongside each the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. On the Seto facet, probably the most scenic place to go to might be Shimonoseki, which is as well-known for being the “final” metropolis of Honshu as it’s for the fugu puffer fish indigenous to it. You might also select to go to Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni.
Different Locations In and Close to Setouchi
Relying on the place you place the bounds of the Setouchi area, you may go to the next locations as a part of a Setouchi journey:
- Fukuoka prefecture, Kyushu: In response to some folks, jap coastal areas of Kitakyushu metropolis are inside Setouchi
- Oita prefecture, Kyushu: Planning to go to the Japanese onsen capital of Beppu? You would possibly be capable to think about it a part of a Setouchi journey
- Awaji island, Hyogo: Awaji-jima, which separates Honshu and Shikoku islands, actually lives as much as the Setouchi aesthetic, and arguably even a few of its tradition
- Tokushima prefecture, Shikoku: Have you ever ever been to the Naruto Whirlpools? I’ve, and I’d be mendacity if I mentioned they wouldn’t match proper in in Setouchi
Wish to ensure your Setouchi journey hits all the fitting notes? Fee a customized Japan itinerary, and permit me to sweat the small print.
Different FAQ About Japan’s Setouchi Area
What’s Setouchi well-known for?
Setouchi is known, above all, for its views of the Seto Inland Sea, and the extent to which the meals and folklore of the ocean colour its tradition and delicacies. When it comes to journey, probably the most well-known Setouchi locations are the cities of Hiroshima and Okayama, plus the Naoshima “artwork island.”
The place is Setouchi?
Setouchi makes up the southern portion of Chugoku, which is the westernmost area of Japan’s Honshu island, in addition to the northern coast of Shikoku island. Some folks additionally think about Awaji island and the Japanese prefectures of Hyogo, Tokushima, Fukuoka and Oita to be a part of Setouchi.
The place is Japan’s inland sea?
Japan’s inland sea, recognized in Japanese as Seto Naikai (瀬戸内海), sits simply off the southwestern coast of the primary island of Honshu. It’s thought of an “inland sea” as a result of it’s separated from the primary waters of the Pacific Ocean by the island of Shikoku (and, in keeping with some, the islands of Awaji and Kyushu).
The Backside Line
I hope you’ve discovered my Setouchi journey information helpful, even in the event you weren’t particularly on the lookout for it. This underrated area is without doubt one of the greatest in Japan—I simply want there was higher, extra accessible terminology to explain it! From common locations like Hiroshima and Okayama, to extra under-the-radar spots on and close to Shikoku island, Setouchi has all of it: Surroundings, delicacies, tradition and extra. Wish to guarantee your Setouchi journey (and your subsequent journey to Japan, extra broadly) is one for the report books? Think about hiring me to plan it—and let me sweat the small print.