Western Setouchi and San’in

You meet your guide and driver at Hiroshima Station, and drive to Sandankyō Gorge, with its stunning waterfalls, caves, and hollows along the valley floor. Then you drive to Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture, a beautiful traditional castle town overlooked by the dramatic ruins of its castle. Tonomachi Dōri recalls the town life of the samurai. You spend the night in Tsuwano. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive to Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, a castle town whose young men played a decisive role in overthrowing the Shogunate. Shōin Shrine and its museum honouring Yoshida Shōin tell the story of one brave youth who gave his life to free Japan from feudalism. You stay in Hagi. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation. 

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive to Nagato where you take a boat to visit Ōmi Island in Hagi Geopark with its dramatic rock formations and coastal caves. Then you head to the nostalgic spa town of Nagato Yumoto Onsen where you stay. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive up to Akiyoshidai, an extensive karst area, and explore this limestone area. Then you head to Shimonoseki and see the Kamon Straits, the narrow strip of sea between Honshū and Kyūshū, and visit Karato Fish Market, a large, bustling market with many vendors selling sashimi and sushi. Your next stop is Yamaguchi city where you visit the Zen temple Rurikō-ji with its impressive pagoda reflected in a large pond, and Xavier Memorial Church, built in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of St. Francis Xavier visiting Yamaguchi. Then you drive to the island of Suō Ōshima where you stay. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and drive to Yanai, a traditional town with Edo period buildings. Here you visit the Sakawa soy sauce brewery and learn about the fermentation process. Then you drive to Iwakuni and stroll over the beautiful Kintai Bridge below Iwakuni Castle. From here you head into Hiroshima Prefecture and take the ferry to the island of Miyajima where you visit Itsukushima Shrine with its iconic red torii gate in the sea. You drive to Hiroshima city, where you stay. This is where you say goodbye to your driver. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.  

After breakfast, you leave your hotel and take the tram to the Hiroshima Peace Park and Atom Bomb Dome. The tour ends at Hiroshima Station.