9 Days Tour of Seto Inland Sea region: Kobe, Kinosaki (Hyogo), Hiroshima City, & Kurashiki (Okayama)
A Journey to Seto Inland Sea region
The Seto Inland Sea region has been progressive in politics, economics, society and culture of Japan since ancient times. A major factor in this is that the culture of China passed from Kyushu Island through the Seto Inland Sea region to the Yamato Kingdom (AD 4 – 7, now Nara).
Discover its breathtaking vistas, temperate climate and a history that spans from ancient times.
Experience the daily lives of local people and learn about their fascinating and unique traditions and culture!
9 Day Tour of Seto Inland Sea region: Kobe, Kinosaki (Hyogo), Hiroshima City, & Kurashiki (Okayama)
Tour Route: Kobe – Kinosaki Onsen, Hot- springs – Hiroshima – Kurashiki
Day 1: Enter Kobe from your arrival place.
While Chinese merchants set up the Nankinmachi (China Town) near the port European merchants and diplomats settled down at the foot of the Rokko mountain range, which is now an historical district with many Western styled houses built in the late 19 th and early 20 th century, known as the Ijinkan area, Kitanocho.
Kobe offers a unique Japanese experience with its relaxing and healing onsen, hot-springs and sake breweries.
Meals: none
Day 2: Kobe
Recommended spots to visit
You can see how Japanese carpenters built traditional Japanese architecture working by hand with carpentry tools. (30 minutes by car from the hotel)
Hyogo Prefectual Museum: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
The museum was built by Tadao Ando (30 minutes by car from the hotel)
In the brewery, which has been producing sake for more than 350 years, since the Edo era, you can enjoy tasting various sakes (30 minutes by car from the hotel)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, no lunch, Kobe Beef dinner at a Kobe Beef restaurant (Enjoy famous Kobe Beef!)
Day 3: from Kobe to Kinosaki Onsen (Kinosaki Hot- Springs) through Izushi town
This pleasant town, built along a willow-lined river, is one of the top hot springs destinations in Japan.
The hot springs were discovered in the 8th century and since then the town has developed into a charmingly old-fashioned hot springs town.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch: Izushi soba noodles, dinner: Kaiseki (traditional Japanese multi course meal) at the ryokan
Day 4: Kinosaki Onsen (Kinosaki Hot- Springs)
Recommended spots to visit
Meals: breakfast at the ryokan, no lunch, dinner: Kaiseki at the ryokan
Day 5: from Kinosaki Onsen to Hiroshima through Himeji Castle.
Hiroshima, located on Honshu Island, is younger than many Japanese cities, less than 500 years old, but its fate was forever sealed in history on August 6, 1945, when it became the first city in the world to have an atomic bomb dropped on it. Thus, the city’s attractions center around peace: Peace Park, Peace Memorial and Peace Memorial Museum.
Meals: breakfast at the ryokan, lunch: no, dinner: no
Day 6: Hiroshima & Miyajima
There are a few hiking trails leading up to Mt. Misen. You can enjoy the abundant nature of the virgin forest, and great seasonal views.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch: no, diner: no
Day 7: from Hiroshima to Kurashiki (Okayama)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch: no, diner: Kaiseki at the ryokan
Recommended spots to visit
Day 8: Kurashiki
Bizen is named after the village of Imbe. It has a history of more than 1,000 years, which makes it one of the oldest pottery making techniques in Japan.
– Visit Mr. Jyun Iseki’s workshop, a living national treasure of Bizenyaki
Osafune once flourished as a major producer of Japanese swords. The museum is one of a limited number of sword museums and features a variety of Japanese swords on display.
You can learn about the history and manufacturing process for Japanese swords as well as experience the beauty and power of the swords up close.
Meals: breakfast at the ryokan, lunch: no, dinner at the ryokan
Day 9: leave Kurashiki after breakfastt
If you would like to explore Setouchi area by video please take a look Ms Kerry Ferro videos:
Activities
Walking, Exploring, History