Setouchi Finder Editorial Dept.

Setouchi Area

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write up by Setouchi Finder Editorial Dept.

Available Write Up: 152

2016.3.30 Hotel Tokushima

A mountain retreat that lets you experience real Japanese country life and detox at the same time

Smoke gently rises from the chimney of a farmhouse across the valley. The only sound you hear is the trickling stream and a chorus of birdsong. The air is crisp and fresh, infused with a hint of pine from the forests surrounding you. This is what awaits you at the ‘Kinoko no Sato’ farmhouse bed & breakfast, an idyllic rural retreat deep in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture.

2016.3.30 Cycling Hiroshima

Cycling off the Beaten Track – Joys of the Tobishima Kaido

A set of five majestic islands linked by bridges to the mainland, the Tobishima Kaido is known for its beaches, history and citrus fruits. But, it is also the destination of choice for many cyclists who prefer a quieter and more rustic cycle course than the popular Shimanami Kaido.

2016.3.29 Cycling Hiroshima

Pedal Power – Exploring the Shimanami Kaido

Iconic bridges, country lanes and panoramic views all unfold slowly in front of your eyes. This is the joy of cycling along the Shimanami Kaido cycling trail. A 70km journey that crosses six islands and connects the Japanese mainland to its fourth biggest island, Shikoku. This has become a mecca for cyclists and still caters for everyone - whether you are a serious rider racing against the clock, or someone looking for a fun day out.

2016.3.29 Art Okayama

Kurashiki Glass Artist Tomoki Minakuchi

Tomoki Minakuchi - a young artist in Kurashiki using his experience from his training and apprenticeship to make unique creations out of glass. His studio is located in the same area where glass making first began in the prefecture in 1964. Now, ‘Kurashiki Glass’ is becoming more recognized and Minakuchi is an artist at the forefront of a wave of young glassmakers trying to make their mark.

2016.3.28 Art Okayama

A Walk Around Inujima Island – One Part of the Setouchi Triennale

Inujima means "dog island", but unlike the well-known Japanese cat island or rabbit island, you won't find packs of wild dogs roaming here. Instead, this small island boasts an array of extraordinary artwork and installations, attracting thousands of art lovers every year.

2016.3.28 Gourmet Tokushima

Rise & Win Brewing Co. – Eco BBQ & Beer in the Mountains of Tokushima

The mountain town of Kamikatsu, just 25km outside Tokushima city, is making headlines across the world for its zero-waste policy. Along with examples of green initiatives adopted by the community, you'll also find some of the best barbecue and beer in this part of Japan. The eating and drinking experience alone is enough to make this trip worthwhile.

2016.3.27 Cruise Kagawa

VIP Cruises in the Seto Inland Sea

If you’re looking a special thing to do while in west Japan, look no further - Foucault offers customized, chartered cruises on their elegant catamaran yacht. The cruises run out of Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture. You can book the boat for already-set cruise plans or make your own itinerary.

2016.3.27 Yamaguchi

Buddhist Shojin Ryori & Zazen Meditation Experience

For a visitor to these shores, experiencing the essence of Buddhism during a short holiday might seem like a tall order. But in Yamaguchi City, two temples offer a fleeting, but worthwhile insight into something that has shaped the culture of Japan since the sixth century.

2016.3.26 Cruise Hyogo

Having a Whirl of a Time!

A few revs of the deep, throaty engine powering our sturdy sailing ship, and we launch out into the Naruto Strait off the southern tip of Awaji Island, leaving a frothy trail behind. We’re on our way out to the Naruto whirlpools and today, the three-deck, three-masted Kanrinmaru is doing the honors.

2016.3.26 Art Hyogo

The Master Manipulators: Awajishima’s Mesmerizing Puppet Art

A twang from a shamisen lute, two beats of a taiko drum, and suddenly our attention is undivided. A swift drawing back of the long, navy curtain that shrouds the twelve-meter stage inside the iconic puppet theatre of Awaji Ningyoza, and we are already putty in the hands of the master puppeteers. Pupils like pendulums we scan the set before us, left to right, for the first sign of movement from the wings.

2016.3.25 Art Hiroshima

ART BASE MOMOSHIMA – Hidden gem in the Setouchi

Search for 'Art', 'Japan' and 'Islands', and the internet will point you to Naoshima, Benesse and images of giant multi-colored pumpkins. The destinations lying off the coast of Okayama and Kagawa are fast becoming the established go-to places for art enthusiasts coming to Japan. However, venture slightly further west and you'll stumble on the quiet, unimposing island of Momoshima. This is home to Art Base Momoshima - an upcoming art destination in the Seto Inland Sea.

2016.3.25 Gourmet Hyogo

The Buzz About Burgers on Awaji

On onion-laden Awaji Island, the burgers are the bee’s knees, and folks are travelling from all over to get a taste of the action.

2016.3.24 Gift Hiroshima

Onomichi Denim Shop – the fabric of society

Walk down the central shopping arcade in Onomichi and you'll come across the chic Onomichi Denim Shop. It could be any other fashionable boutique. Stylish faded jeans lie neatly on a wooden table running the length of the store. The walls are bare apart from two large black and white prints. But chat to the shop staff, or browse the product literature, and you will soon realize this is no ordinary clothes store.

2016.3.24 Hotel Hiroshima

Anago no Nedoko –sleeping with the fishes?

Anago no Nedoko roughly translates as "salt-water eel's bed". It hardly conjures up the image of a peaceful night’s sleep. But thankfully, this Onomichi guesthouse does not live up to its name.

2016.3.23 Gourmet Yamaguchi

Irori Sanzoku (Kuga) – Festive Food Experience

You can’t help but have fun when you visit here. Located along a busy mountain road about 17 kms west of Iwakuni, it pops out of nowhere. A jaw-dropping display of enormous koi carp flags, gigantic colorful billboard-size cutouts of traditional characters and literally hundreds of red and white lanterns will definitely catch your eye. The atmosphere is very similar to a Japanese festival. If you have yet to experience one, consider this a primer. With taiko drums to beat, photo popups to pose in, and attractions for kids, it’s fun for all ages.

2016.3.23 Ehime

Luxury Train Ride along the Coast of Ehime

The Iyonada Monogatari is a sightseeing train, a luxury travel genre that’s currently enjoying something of a boom in Japan. This classic train, fitted out in ‘retro-modern’ style at considerable expense, takes you on a stylish journey through the coastal and mountain region of western Shikoku known as Iyonada. As you travel through this picturesque scenery, you can enjoy delicious meals prepared using the specialities of the region.

2016.3.23 Hotel Ehime

Guesthouse Made for Cyclists 

Most people who think of coming to the Setouchi region will have heard of the Shimanami Kaidō. This road links Onomichi on the mainland with Imabari on Shikoku. Whether your journey starts from Onomichi, or Imabari, finding cyclist-friendly accommodation to receive advice and meet other cyclists is recommended. In Imabari, 'Cyclo no Ie' fits the bill - an affordable guesthouse catering for cyclists created by cycling buffs.

2016.3.21 Gourmet Hiroshima

Serika, a Café Restaurant at the Southernmost Tip of Yamaguchi with Beautiful Views that offers Setouchi Seasonal Flavors & Spanish Cuisine!

The town of Kaminoseki is located at the southernmost tip of the Murotsu Peninsula, Yamaguchi prefecture. From café restaurant Serika, which is by the sea, on a clear day you can see all the way to Shikoku’s Sadamisaki Peninsula.

2016.3.20 Gourmet Hiroshima

Café Restaurant Serika’s Juicy Tiger Prawn Ajillo You Can Make in 5 Minutes!

Serika is a café restaurant located at the southernmost tip of the Murotsu Peninsula in the town of Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi prefecture.

2015.12.31 Gift Okayama

How About Participating in Events That Convey All The Good of Okayama?

Dear readers who reside in Tokyo,As you know, there are lots of regional antenna shops in central Tokyo, but today we’d like to talk more about the Tottori Okayama Shimbashi-kan, a large-scale, interesting shop that opened in 2014!

2015.9.27 Art Ehime

Antique Lover? Dogo Giyaman Glass Museum is Filled with Retro Glass from the Meiji & Taisho Periods!

Dogo Giyaman Glass Museum is a great place for antique lovers and only a 3-minute walk from Dogo Onsen's main building.

2015.9.15 Gourmet

A Treasure Trove of Gourmet: 7 Dishes Recommended by Local Writers!

With the huge popularity of various events such as the Setouchi Triennale and Cycling Shimanami, the Seto Inland Sea area is now very much in the spotlight.

2015.8.31 Art

Castle Enthusiast? Six Beautiful Castles in the Setouchi Area!

Did you know that there are many castles in the Seto Inland Sea area?

2015.7.6 Gourmet Kagawa

Small ’Art Island’ Discoveries & A Nostalgic Café Found Hidden in the Backstreets!

In the Honmura district of Naoshima Island, old traditional Japanese houses with charred wood and white lime plaster walls give the area a nostalgic elegance.

2015.7.1 Gourmet Okayama

Sunny Country is Fruit Kingdom! Try a Premium Fruit Parfait with Okayama Brand Fruit @ café Antenna!

Boasting the No.1 production rate in Japan for white peaches, and muscat and pione grapes, Okayama is affectionately known both as the ‘sunny country’ and the ‘fruit country’.

2015.6.30 Art Okayama

The Yumeji Art Museum: Experience the Charms of the Taisho Romantic Born in Okayama 130 Years ago!

During the period of ‘Taisho Romance’, Yumeji Takehisa was active in a variety of arts, as a painter, designer as well as a poet.

2015.3.19 Art Kagawa

Hariko Tigers, a Traditional Kagawa Handicraft with a 150-Year History!

Mino-cho is located in Mitoyo city, Kagawa prefecture, and it is in this small town area that hariko tigers (a type of paper-mache) are made.

2015.2.4 Gift Hyogo

A Nostalgic Flavor from South-West Hyogo… Itomen – Chicken Champon Noodles!

Are you familiar with Itomen's Champon noodles? Many people from the south-west part of Hyogo prefecture may right now be thinking "How nostalgic!"

2015.1.26 Gourmet Hiroshima

Seasonal Blessings of Satoyama & Heart-Warming Hospitality : Nagomi Tei (Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

This verb, which means 'to show hospitality', has been used in this region since olden times.

2015.1.19 Art Ehime

Not Just Mandarins! Ehime’s Handicrafts Are Amazing!

Dear readers, do you think that Ehime's charms lie only in "mandarins"?

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