Overview

This 2-night, 3-day tour is a gastronomic and cultural journey across the Seto Inland Sea, designed for international travellers with a deep interest in Japanese food culture and regional lifestyles. Departing from Matsuyama in Shikoku, off the typical tourist route, and travelling to Kure using a combination of private vehicle and ferry, you experience the unique proximity of the sea and people in the Seto Inland Sea while exploring the distinct sake, cuisine, and history of the region.

In Matsuyama, you encounter the sake brewing and food culture nurtured by the relatively hard water rich in minerals, experiencing the unique flavours of Shikoku through visits to local breweries and exploring the town. At Dōgo Onsen, you immerse yourself in Japan’s hot spring culture and feel the profound influence the local water has had on people’s lives.

The next day you cross the Seto Inland Sea by ferry to Kure. Here, you experience sake brewing and culinary traditions rooted in soft water, which yields a gentle, delicate flavour. On the sake brewery visit, you see how differences in water affect sake’s aroma and mouthfeel through direct tasting comparisons. In the evening, we guide you through Kure’s iconic food stall district. In this port town, workers gather at stalls after work to casually enjoy drinks and food.

An English-speaking driver helps you to understand the interconnected story of water, sake, food, and the port town’s history.

Who is this tour for?

This tour is for people looking for a deep cultural and gastronomic experience off the main tourist route, interacting directly with local people in breweries, street stalls, baths, and public transport.