Islands of Setouchi

You meet your guide and driver at Hiroshima Station and drive to Kure, start of the Tobishima Kaidō. You explore this beautiful chain of islands and bridges, visiting the fascinating museums on Shimo-Kamagari Island and the old port town of Mitarai. From here you take the ferry through the Inland Sea to Ōmishima on the Shimanami Kaidō. You drive up to the Mt. Kirō lookout and look down on the roiled waters of the Kurushima Strait and the elegant suspension bridge over it. You stay on Ōmishima where dinner (included) is served at your accommodation.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and take a fast ship for a cruise into the rapid currents and whirlpools of the Kurushima Strait. Then you drive to Ōyamazumi Shrine, one of Japan’s most historically significant major Shintō places. Your next stop is Innoshima Suigun Castle, where you learn about the Murakami Kaizoku pirates who controlled the Inland Sea. You head north to Onomichi on Honshū where you stay. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and explore the historic town of Onomichi, including Senkō-ji Park and the nostalgic arcades near the port. Then you drive to Tomonoura, where the popular Ghibli animation “Ponyo” was set. After seeing the sights, you stay in the town. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive to Kibiji in Okayama Prefecture. Kibiji is an ancient road from Sōja to Okayama city, passing through agricultural land dotted with large temples, shrines, and ancient tumuli. Then you drive to Kurashiki with its remarkably well-preserved town of merchant houses lining a scenic canal. You stay in a traditional building converted to accommodation in the centre of this district. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive to Uno Port to board the ferry to the art island of Naoshima. Here you visit Kusama Yayoi’s red pumpkin, the Benesse House museum, and the various preserved houses of the Ie Project. Then you take the ferry to Takamatsu, passing the dramatic plateau of Yashima. You stay in the city of Takamatsu. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive to nearby Ritsurin Garden, known for its tea houses, lakes, and the borrowed scenery of the mountain behind it. Then you drive to Kotohira where you climb the steep steps through the huge Konpira Shrine complex. The tour ends at Kotohira Station.