【A Setouchi & Shikoku Discovery】Art, Culture & Hidden Valleys
Osaka / Awaji Island / Tokushima / Iya Valley / Kotohira / Takamatsu / Naoshima / Kurashiki / Himeji - with Private Vehicle & English -Speaking Guide
This journey connects Japan’s vibrant urban culture, island traditions, sacred landscapes, and contemporary art across Kansai, Shikoku, and the Seto Inland Sea. From refined cuisine and performing arts to remote valleys, pilgrimage sites, and world-class art islands, the route unfolds at a relaxed pace—revealing Japan’s cultural depth through authentic experiences, regional flavors, and timeless scenery.
Seasonal Hightlights
- An all-season journey, with spring, summer, autumn, and winter each revealing a different side of western Japan.
- Spring –Mild weather and fresh greenery bring a sense of renewal to island landscapes, gardens, and mountain villages, making it an ideal season for cultural walks and outdoor exploration.
- Summer – The region comes alive with vibrant festivals such as Awa Odori, dramatic whirlpools in Naruto, and bright coastal scenery along the Seto Inland Sea.
- Autumn – Clear air, colorful foliage in the Iya Valley, and harvest-season cuisine create a balanced and comfortable time for travel.
- Winter – Fewer visitors offer a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere, ideal for enjoying art islands, historic towns, refined cuisine, and hot springs at a relaxed pace.
Travel Itinerary
| DAY | City／Area | Highlight | Details & Experiences | Accomodation Style | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY1 | Kansai Airport → Osaka hotel (1 h) |
Arrive in Japan and step straight into Osaka’s vibrant rhythm. Lantern-lit lanes, sizzling street food, and lively canals invite you to taste and explore. This first evening sets the tone for a journey of art, culture, and discovery. |
|
Luxury hotel in central Osaka |  |
| DAY2 | Osaka → Awaji Island (1.5 h) |
Cross the impressive Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge into Awaji Island, where lush gardens and coastal vistas open your senses. Experience the living heritage of Ningyo Joruri puppetry, then relax at an Luxury auberge overlooking the sea. |
|
Auberge-style villa on Awaji |  |
| DAY3 | Awaji → Naruto (1 h)→ Tokushima (40 min) |
Feel the rush of nature as the Naruto whirlpools swirl beneath your boat.Then,the morning immersed in great art at the Otsuka Museum, By late afternoon Tokushima welcomes you to learn the joyful rhythm of the Awa Odori dance. |
|
Quality hotel in Tokushima |  |
| DAY4 | Tokushima → Wakimachi (1 h 30 min); Wakimachi → Iya Valley (1 h30min) |
Travel back to merchant-era Japan along Wakimachi’s preserved Udatsu streets, rich with indigo history. Journey deeper into the mountains for Iya Valley’s vine bridges, dramatic gorges, and quiet hot springs tucked into ancient hills. |
|
Onsen ryokan in Iya Valley |  |
| DAY5 | Iya Valley → Kotohira (Private car -1 h 40 min); Kotohira → Takamatsu (Private car ~40 min) |
Begin the day in misty mountains, then descend to Kotohira to climb Kompira Shrine’s sacred steps. Taste hand-made Sanuki udon, and spend a tranquil afternoon sipping matcha in Takamatsu’s elegant Ritsurin Garden. |
|
Upscale hotel in Takamatsu |  |
| DAY6 | Transfer: Takamatsu Port (15 min) → Naoshima ferry (50 min) |
Sail across the Seto Inland Sea to Naoshima, an island where contemporary art meets gentle beaches. Explore world-class architecture and creative spaces, then linger as evening light softens the sculptures and shore. |
|
Benesse House or boutique hotel |  |
| DAY7 | Naoshima → Uno Port ferry (20 min); Uno → Kurashiki (Private car - 1 h) |
Wake up among cutting-edge art, then keave the calm of Naoshima art world, and travel to Kurashiki alive with galleries and storied warehouses. Stroll beside willow-lined waters, shop for crafts, and unwind in a refined inn inside a former merchant house. |
|
Premium ryokan or heritage inn in Kurashiki |  |
| DAY8 | Kurashiki → Himeji (Private car - 1 h 40 min); Himeji → Kansai Airport (Private car ~2 h 30 min) |
End your adventure with Japan’s most elegant castle, Himeji, its white walls gleaming like a heron in flight. Enjoy a final taste of regional cuisine before a smooth, private transfer to Kansai Airport. |
|
- |  |
Travel Itinerary
DAY1
- City / Area
- Kansai Airport →
Osaka hotel (1 h) - Highlight
- Arrive in Japan and step straight into Osaka’s vibrant rhythm. Lantern-lit lanes, sizzling street food, and lively canals invite you to taste and explore. This first evening sets the tone for a journey of art, culture, and discovery.
- Details & Experiences
- 【Sightseeing: Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Hozenji Yokocho walking tour
- Dotonbori: Osaka’s vibrant neon district with canalside restaurants.
- Shinsaibashi: Shopping arcade blending modern and traditional shops.
- Hozenji Yokocho: Lantern-lit alley with hidden eateries and stone pavements.
- Culinary note:
Osaka“Japan’s Kitchen”, where food is more than sustenance — it’s joy and connection. - From sizzling teppanyaki and delicate kaiseki to playful street eats like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, every flavor reflects the city’s warm, lively spirit.
- Accomodation Style
- Luxury hotel in central Osaka
- Photo
DAY2
- City / Area
- Osaka →
Awaji Island (1.5 h) - Highlight
- Cross the impressive Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge into Awaji Island, where lush gardens and coastal vistas open your senses. Experience the living heritage of Ningyo Joruri puppetry, then relax at an Luxury auberge overlooking the sea.
- Details & Experiences
- Sightseeing: Awaji Yumebutai & Hyakudan-en Garden, Awaji Ningyo Jorur
- Awaji Yumebutai & Hyakudan-en: Terraced flower gardens by Tadao Ando with sea views.
- Awaji Ningyo Joruri: 500-year-old puppet theater with expressive storytelling.
- Culinary note:
Awaji Island is famed for its premium beef, sweet onions, and fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea
- Accomodation Style
- Auberge-style villa on Awaji
- Photo
DAY3
- City / Area
- Awaji →
Naruto (1 h)→
Tokushima (40 min) - Highlight
- Feel the rush of nature as the Naruto whirlpools swirl beneath your boat.Then,the morning immersed in great art at the Otsuka Museum, By late afternoon Tokushima welcomes you to learn the joyful rhythm of the Awa Odori dance.
- Details & Experiences
- Naruto Whirlpools: Dynamic tidal currents viewed from sightseeing boat. Otsuka Museum of Art: Vast collection of masterpieces reproduced in ceramic.
- Awa Odori Kaikan: Dance performance and interactive experience.
- Culinary note:
Tokushima offers a rich taste of Shikoku — from Awa beef and soba noodles to fresh seafood from the Naruto Strait.
- Accomodation Style
- Quality hotel in Tokushima
- Photo
DAY4
- City / Area
- Tokushima →
Wakimachi (1 h 30 min);
Wakimachi →
Iya Valley (1 h30min) - Highlight
- Travel back to merchant-era Japan along Wakimachi’s preserved Udatsu streets, rich with indigo history. Journey deeper into the mountains for Iya Valley’s vine bridges, dramatic gorges, and quiet hot springs tucked into ancient hills.
- Details & Experiences
- Sightseeing: Udatsu Historic Townscape, Iya Vine Bridge, Iya Valley viewpoints
- Udatsu Townscape: Edo-era merchant houses with 'udatsu' roof features.
- Iya Vine Bridge: Rustic vine suspension bridge across the gorge.
- Iya Valley: Dramatic cliffs and deep gorge vistas.
- Culinary Note:
Iya Valley is known for rustic mountain cuisine — handmade soba noodles, river fish grilled over charcoal, and fresh mountain vegetables.
- Accomodation Style
- Onsen ryokan in Iya Valley
- Photo
DAY5
- City / Area
- Iya Valley →
Kotohira
(Private car -1 h 40 min);
Kotohira →
Takamatsu
(Private car ~40 min) - Highlight
- Begin the day in misty mountains, then descend to Kotohira to climb Kompira Shrine’s sacred steps. Taste hand-made Sanuki udon, and spend a tranquil afternoon sipping matcha in Takamatsu’s elegant Ritsurin Garden.
- Details & Experiences
- Sightseeing: Kompira Shrine, Ritsurin Garden & tea, Sanuki Udon Workshop for optiona
- Kompira Shrine: Hilltop shrine dedicated to sailors with 785 stone steps.
- Ritsurin Garden: historic Japanese landscape garden, known for its beautiful ponds, manicured pine trees, and views of Mount Shiun. It offers a peaceful escape in every season.
- Sanuki Udon Workshop: Hands-on noodle making and tasting is possible
- Culinary Note:
Taste Takamatsu’s Setouchi flavors — Sanuki udon, local seafood, and elegant garden-inspired cuisine
- Accomodation Style
- Upscale hotel in Takamatsu
- Photo
DAY6
- City / Area
- Transfer:
Takamatsu Port
(15 min) →
Naoshima ferry
(50 min) - Highlight
- Sail across the Seto Inland Sea to Naoshima, an island where contemporary art meets gentle beaches. Explore world-class architecture and creative spaces, then linger as evening light softens the sculptures and shore.
- Details & Experiences
- Sightseeing: Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House, Art House Project
- Chichu Art Museum: Tadao Ando’s underground museum showcasing Monet and Turrell.
- Benesse House: Unique art museum-hotel by the sea.
- Art House Project: Village houses reborn as immersive art spaces.
- You can also explore other artworks.
- Culinary Note:
Savor Setouchi seafood and seasonal vegetables at Benesse House or elegant local ryotei — dining inspired by art and the island’s quiet beauty.
- Accomodation Style
- Benesse House or boutique hotel
- Photo
DAY7
- City / Area
- Naoshima →
Uno Port ferry
(20 min); Uno →
Kurashiki
(Private car - 1 h) - Highlight
- Wake up among cutting-edge art, then keave the calm of Naoshima art world, and travel to Kurashiki alive with galleries and storied warehouses. Stroll beside willow-lined waters, shop for crafts, and unwind in a refined inn inside a former merchant house.
- Details & Experiences
- Sightseeing: Kurashiki Bikan Quarter, Ohara Museum of Art, canal cafés & boutiques
- Kurashiki Bikan Quarter: Edo-era canal town with white storehouses and willow trees.
- Ohara Museum: Japan’s first Western art museum with Monet & El Greco.
- Boutiques & cafés: Craft shops and tea spots along the canal.
- Culinary Note:
Enjoy Kurashiki’s local flavors — elegant kaiseki, Setouchi seafood, and seasonal fruit desserts from Okayama.
- Accomodation Style
- Premium ryokan or heritage inn in Kurashiki
- Photo
DAY8
- City / Area
- Kurashiki →
Himeji
(Private car - 1 h 40 min);
Himeji →
Kansai Airport
(Private car ~2 h 30 min) - Highlight
- End your adventure with Japan’s most elegant castle, Himeji, its white walls gleaming like a heron in flight. Enjoy a final taste of regional cuisine before a smooth, private transfer to Kansai Airport.
- Details & Experiences
- Sightseeing: Himeji Castle
- Himeji Castle: UNESCO-listed fortress nicknamed the 'White Heron'
- Culinary Note:
Taste Himeji’s castle-town flavors — Setouchi seafood, Harima vegetables, and kaiseki rooted in samurai culture. - Airport transfer by private car.
- Accomodation Style
- -
- Photo
For quotes and course arrangements, please feel free to contact us here.
Other Plans
-
- 【Harmony of Japan】 Gardens, Architecture & Art
-
- 【Perfect for First-Time Visitors】10-Day Golden Route of Japan
-
- 【Perfect for First-Time Visitors】8-Day Golden Route of Japan
-
- Kyushu Family Plan – 7 Days
-
- 【A Fun & Cultural Adventure】9 days-Japan Discovery for Families
-
- Springtime Sakura Journey – Discover Japan Beyond the Cities (13 Days)
-
- 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
-
- Traverse Kyushu from north to south Plan – 7 Days
-
- A Cultural & Nature Retreat in Southern Japan
-
- 【Hidden Japan】From Lake Biwa to Kyoto by the Sea
-
- 【Sacred Ise & Scenic Shima】 3 Days of Faith, Food, and Coastal Beauty
-
- 【Sacred Journey through Koyasan & Kumano Kodo】Pilgrimage Trails of Kii Mountains
-
- 【Hokkaido’s Western Wonders】From Sophisticated Sapporo to Coastal Splendor and Mountain Retreats 7days
-
- 【Timeless Hokkaido】Savor Untouched Nature with All Your Senses（10 Days / 9 Nights）
-
- 【Timeless Tohoku】Where Japan’s Original Scenery Meets Autumn Splendor
-
- 【Japan Alps & Heritage Towns】Discover Japan’s Essence（13 Days / 12 Nights）
-
- 【Discover Japan】From Iconic Landmarks to Hidden Regional Treasures (12 Days / 11 Nights)