You may be saying, "Set...what?!" I did too when I first came across it, but research has led me to dream of how I could visit this region and what I should explore in the area. What really had me intrigued, was when I heard more about where this region is located. They describe this region as, "The Aegean Sea of the East." Which ultimately means it has warmer weather all year round and less annual rainfall. As an Oregonian, I certainly love to travel to warmer areas around the world, so I can escape the rainy weather back at home!
This region can easily be tied in with a trip to the major cities that most people to travel to Japan for. You could start your adventures in Tokyo, make your way to Kyoto and end in a city or town that is in Setouchi. If you’re like me, after a week of packing everything in, waking up early for tours and going to sleep late after walking around to see the cities at night. Slowing down at the end of your trip before heading home- is a great idea! Or you could start your trip in this area and get rid of your jet lag in the meantime.
I'll be the first to admit it, I have been known to plan a day around a meal. Especially when I'm traveling in foreign countries. Are you also one of those people? I approve, and I sincerely encourage this kind of planning while on holiday! When you finally make it to Setouchi, I have good news for you. You can easily find a place that carries Kobe beef on their menu and it's the real deal. There is also something else that I have several friends that would travel across the world for- this area is also famous for its oysters! If you're crazy for oysters, you could even plan a trip around the Miyajima Oyster Festival, which happens every February.
To be honest, I would most enjoy trying different dishes made from Udon noodles while in the region (yes, they are also known for Udon here!). I was literally eating Udon noodles for breakfast while I was in China last year, so I would love to see how they prepared them in Japan. Pro tip: get a cooking lesson from a local chef and learn how to make them yourself on your trip. You can do this as a solo traveler, with your travel buddy or it's a great activity to enjoy as a family. Believe me, all kids love noodles!
Okay enough about the food for now, you're going to also have to move around to work up your appetite. No worries here, you'll have P L E N T Y of things to do. I'd say the one big thing that I should highlight in the area and that has really captured my attention, is the Kosanji Temple on Ikuchijima Island. Depending on how active of a person you are, you can reach the island by boat or by bike. You'll find me on the boat taking in the views, but I'll cheer you on if you're signing up for a day of cycling. The grounds, including the temples, the gardens and different levels of the monuments throughout the place, took over 30 years to complete! This was all done as a homage from a son to his mother. That is some serious love right there. He even shipped marble from Italy to complete one of the areas of the temples. Be sure to plan a short stop while you are in this area. You can take a seat and order a drink at the cafe.
Another must visit place for me would be to explore the Himeji Castle. It can be enjoyed as a nice day trip from Hiroshima. As a castle lover myself, I'm sure I could spend a slow, half day tour there, taking it all in. I would love to hire a great guide to reflect on the history of the buildings that make up the castle grounds. UNESCO has dubbed it as "the finest surviving example of early 17th century Japanese castle architecture."
It would be a mistake if I didn't make enough time to get out on the water and to enjoy the calm seas. Or even over the water in this region. You can hire a seaplane to take you over the sea for 50 minutes of exciting sightseeing from the skies! If you're looking for something a bit more relaxing and wanting to connect with nature, a kayak or bike rental may be more your pace. If you're like me, you may want to do all three. I've also read about where you can enjoy a nice catamaran tour that you can consider. I imagined a nice relaxing afternoon on the water, sea breeze in my hair, sipping local sake from the region and a specialty lunch in one of the old towns.
So where do you stay in the region of Setouchi? A hotel geek like myself has a lot of options for you to consider. Though it all really depends on how we decide to fit Setouchi into your itinerary and where you are coming from beforehand or if this is your last stop(s) on your trip. Japan has a variation of different accommodations for you to think about enjoying during your journey through the country. I personally love to mix it up for my clients, this way they can experience something a bit more traditional, as well as places that are sleek and modern.
One question that I will ask my travelers, can you picture yourself surrounded by forests and tucked quietly away in nature? Or in an elegant suite, over looking the water and the bays that are widely spread through this destination? Maybe you would prefer to be in the hustle and bustle of things and you'd prefer to stay in the historical center. This way you can enjoy taking in some of the well preserved buildings in the old towns, visiting cafes and window shopping in your free time. Lots of options and even more reasons to spend more time in a special destination like this.
So tell me, are you ready to be charmed by Setouchi? This was only a teaser of what you can do while visiting this exciting destination in Japan! I’m just a call or an email away if you have any questions about Japan and I can’t wait to share more info with you.