Setouchi and San’in

Eastern Setouchi and San’in Tour

6

days

¥358,000

starting price

6

People max.

Okayama

starting place

Overview

This tour visits the major sights of Okayama, Tottori, Kyōto, and Hyōgo prefectures, focusing on the small historic cities of each region and some attractive cities. You travel in a private vehicle with a guide, staying in characterful local accommodation. You experience the different atmosphere and food of the Sea of Japan and Seto Inland Sea regions, and the mountainous region that lies between them.

Who is this tour for?

This tour is for people who want to experience the little-known but beautiful historic towns and some of the cities of western Japan,

Price

From

  • ¥598,000 / person with 2
  • ¥498,000 / person with 3
  • ¥398,000 / person with 4
  • ¥358,000 / person with 5

Itinerary

  • You meet your guide and driver at Okayama Station and drive to Hiruzen Highland, a plateau more than 500 m above sea level. After enjoying the scenery of this unique area, you drive to Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture, and explore the historic area of white-walled storehouses. You stay at a hotel in Kurayoshi. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.

    Included: Dinner

  • After breakfast, you leave the hotel and drive along the scenic Japan Sea coast to the Tottori sand dunes, an extraordinary desert-like area with mountains of sand. Here you visit the Sand Museum with its elaborate ‘sand castle’ sculptures. A little further along the coast is Uradome where you take a boat on a cruise around the islands, caves, tunnels, and cliffs of a stunningly scenic bay with crystal clear water and unusual rock formations. You stay at a hotel in Kinosaki Onsen where dinner (included) is served.

    Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • After breakfast, you leave the hotel and drive to Izushi. Here you explore the traditional castle town with its castle ruins, clock tower, and Kabuki theatre. Then you drive to Amanohashidate, a pine covered sandbar across the mouth of Miyazu Bay. It’s regarded as one of Japan’s three most scenic views. Your next stop is Ine, a picturesque fishing village of funaya boat houses, with docking for boats on their first floors and homes above. You stay in a funaya where dinner (included) is served.

    Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • After breakfast, you leave the hotel and drive to Maizuru, where you stroll along the Yoshiwara Inlet with fishing boats have moored since the Edo period, and visit the Maizuru Red Brick Park, formerly a naval arsenal and today home to museums and other attractions. Then you drive to Miyama, a remote, rural area in the mountains 30 kilometers north of central Kyoto. The area is famous for its many traditional, thatched roof farmhouses, most of which are still lived in. You stay the night in one of these traditional homes. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

    Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • After breakfast, you leave the hotel and drive to Kōbe, one of western Japan’s most sophisticated cities. You explore the stylish foreigners’ residences dotting the lower slopes of Mt. Rokkō and stroll around Chinatown. You stay at a hotel in in Kōbe. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.

    Included: Breakfast

  • After breakfast, you leave the hotel and drive to Himeji where you visit its famous white castle, the most splendid of the remaining original castles in Japan. Then you drive to Okayama, ending the tour at Okayama Station.

    Included: Breakfast

Highlights

Hiruzen Highland

Hiruzen Highland

Hiruzen is an area located on the border of Daisen Oki National Park, known for its spectacular natural beauty.

Kurayoshi

Kurayoshi

Kurayoshi is a historical city once serving as Hoki Province's capital, now renowned for its preserved warehouses, ceramics, and exquisite kasuri textiles.

Tottori Sand Dunes

Tottori Sand Dunes

Located outside the city of Tottori and extending for 14 km, the Tottori Sand Dunes are the largest sand dunes in Japan.

Uradome Coast

Uradome Coast

The ruggedly scenic Uradome Coast stretches along the Sea of Japan and is one of the most beautiful shorelines in the San’in region.

Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen is a hot spring resort on the Sea of Japan with a nostalgic atmosphere. It has seven public baths, each with its unique character and architecture.

Izushi

Izushi

Izushi is a town within the city of Toyooka just inland of the Japan Sea coast. It’s known for its nostalgic atmosphere of an Edo period castle town.

Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate

The Amanohashidate sandbar is one of Japan’s three most celebrated scenic views. According to the Kojiki, Japan’s founding deities lowered the sandbar from the sky.

Ine

Ine

Ine is a quaint seaside village located in northern Kyōto Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. It’s famous for its unique wooden boathouses.

Maizuru

Maizuru

Maizuru is a historic port town beside Maizuru Bay on the Japan Sea coast. It has many attractive heritage sites telling of each period of its long history.

Kōbe

Kōbe

Kōbe is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture, located on the north shore of Ōsaka Bay. Wedged between the Seto Inland Sea and Mt. Rokkō, the city is long and narrow.

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

Himeji is one of the twelve castles with keeps surviving from the Edo period, and it’s regarded as one the finest examples of Japanese castle architecture.

Kōrakuen Garden

Kōrakuen Garden

Kōrakuen is known as one of three finest traditional gardens in Japan. In addition to the numerous attractions within the garden itself, its scenery borrows the view of nearby Okayama Castle just across the river.

Included

    • Guide
    • Transport
    • Meals
    • Basic insurance

Excluded

    • Travel to and from Shikoku
    • Dinner on day 1 and 5
    • Drinks
    • Comprehensive personal insurance

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