Setouchi Travel Guide: Shimanami Kaido & Hiroshima

Setouchi Travel Guide: Shimanami Kaido, Onomichi & Things to Do in Hiroshima

A warm, bright sunlight, a refreshing sea breeze with a faint Setouchi Lemon scent… The Setouchi area, located in the southwest of the mainland, surrounding the Seto Inland Sea, is known for its genial climate and spectacular seaside views. Chugoku and Setouchi refer to the same area, but "Chugoku" refers to the municipal area, while "Setouchi" is the collective name for the areas surrounding the Setonaikai Sea, which is a more popular name among visitors.

Unwind and recharge in the slower rhythm of the calm seaside area of Setouchi Japan. The largest city in this area, Hiroshima, offers many places to visit, but the highlights are two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima. It also offers great access to neighboring cities and Setouchi Islands. Finding the best Things to Do in Hiroshima is the absolute cornerstone of any definitive Hiroshima Travel Guide.

The Shimanami Kaido, a road that connects islands in the sea, where you can enjoy a bike tour in the stunning azure of the warm sea, is called "a cyclist's sanctuary". Your journey along this Shimanami Kaido Cycling Route often starts when you rent a bike at the gateway town of Onomichi, where many feline residents love to take naps in the rustic beach town. From here, heading to an Art Island Japan like Naoshima, in the Seto Inland Sea, welcomes art enthusiasts from all over the world.

The Setouchi region enjoys a great network of regular trains, long-distance buses, and scenic ferries. The direct Shinkansen bullet trains efficiently handle routes like Osaka to Hiroshima and Tokyo to Hiroshima, connecting major cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo directly to the coast. The local buses and ferries will seamlessly take you onward to the fishery villages and small islands.

For more inspiration, you can always build a custom Hiroshima Itinerary or independent route using the free Omio Japan Trip Planner depending on your travel style, interests, and budget. Plan ahead and book train, bus, quick domestic flights, and ferry tickets now for peace of mind, along with your airport transfers. Whether you are planning a comprehensive Shikoku Itinerary or a quick Hiroshima Day Trip from Osaka, let's make a plan with Omio today!

Top Destinations: Shimanami Kaido Cycling & Naoshima Art Island

Whether you are reading the latest Setouchi Tourism News or mapping out your transport, here are the top places you simply cannot miss.

Best Setouchi Area Itineraries

Art Journey in Seto Inland Sea

3-Day Art Island Escape in Setouchi To get to Naoshima, one of the easiest ways is to get on the ferry from Takamatsu in Shikoku Island. You can manage the trip from Osaka to Naoshima in one day with express trains and a ferry. Besides the famous Benesse House museum, do walk around the Art Island Japan Naoshima and don't miss the beautiful sunset at the seaside art installations.

5-Day Hiroshima and Setouchi Art Route Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima. The ferries in the Setouchi Inland Sea bring you to a stunning Naoshima Art Island Japan or Teshima, where the unique art and nature of the islands co-exist to create an incredible regional experience.

7-Day Setouchi Art & Island Hopping The Setouchi Triennale is a contemporary art festival (Setouchi Art Festival) held every three years on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The next festival will be in 2028, but the permanent exhibition pieces are scattered all over the islands. Enjoy the slow-paced travel with ferries and the slower rhythm of the islands' arts.

Cycling Journey in Japan

The Shimanami Kaido, a 60 km-long road with wide cycling and pedestrian lanes, connects Onomichi Hiroshima to Shikoku Island via 6 islands with a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea. You can island-hop by bicycle, which makes for a truly unique experience in the world.

3-Day Shimanami Kaido Cycling Trip Explore the rustic alleys of Onomichi Japan where local cats sunbathe, and visit the iconic cliffside temples. Rent a bike and get to Imabari in Shikoku in one day, and don't forget to try the local lemon sweets on the go!

5-Day Cycling & Island Route Enjoy Japan's most scenic cycling adventure across the full length of the Shimanami Kaido road to Imabari in Shikoku Island. Then, heal your muscle pain at Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama. Dogo Onsen, with its 3,000-year history, is the oldest hot spring town in Japan.

7-Day Setouchi Cycling Journey This grand tour is a great mix of experiences; lively city life in Osaka and Hiroshima, the rustic alley of the seaside town of Onomichi, breathtaking views of the Shimanami Kaido, the motherland of Udon in Takamatsu, and the breathtaking Art Island in Japan, Naoshima.

Healing & Slow Travel Journey

3-Day Hiroshima & Miyajima Retreat Take a slower pace in this 3-day travel plan to appreciate the peacefulness of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine. Stay at a Japanese-style ryokan hotel in Miyajima and take a deep breath in this spiritual power spot. The scenic route from Hiroshima to Miyajima is brief and beautiful.

5-Day Setouchi Slow Travel Route The Setouchi area is the ideal place to escape the fast pace of life. Immerse yourself in the Japan Art Island of Naoshima by slower travel with ferries and walking. Treat yourself to an abundance of beauty in nature, art, onsen hot springs, and mouth-watering seafood and Udon noodles in Takamatsu.

7-Day Setouchi Wellness Journey Fresh sea breeze, sun, stunning seaview, temple walks, and an onsen hot spring town with a 3,000-year history of healing… in this grand healing tour, you'll have them all. Indulge yourself with scenic beauty on the Shimanami Kaido and slow-paced travel in Naoshima, the island of art. Dogo Onsen town in Matsuyama has been a popular healing spot for three millennia and welcomes visitors from all around the world.

Setouchi Area Travel Tips & Transport Links

• The Setouchi region is best explored slowly. Rather than rushing between major cities, plan time for ferries, island cafés, cycling routes, and overnight stays on smaller islands such as Naoshima and around the Shimanami Kaido.
• Train and ferry connections are an essential part of traveling around Setouchi. Popular routes often combine Shinkansen, local trains, and ferries, especially when visiting art islands or cycling routes. Find comfortable options like Willer Buses for affordable highway travel.
• If you are traveling between multiple cities such as Osaka, Hiroshima, and Shikoku, the Japan Rail Pass can offer excellent value and flexibility for long-distance JR travel. The pass also covers the JR ferry to Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. You can also explore the specific regional Setouchi Pass (or the comprehensive Japan JR Pass Setouchi Area Pass).
• Ferry schedules between islands can be limited, especially outside weekends and festival periods. Always check departure times in advance when planning how to access destinations such as Naoshima, Teshima, or Inujima.
• The best seasons to visit Setouchi are spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and ideal for ferry travel and cycling. Spring is famous for cherry blossoms, while early summer offers lively festivals and beach scenery, but can become hot and humid during the daytime.
• Many visitors choose to do a partial day of Shimanami Kaido Cycling instead of completing the full distance. Rental bicycles and e-bikes are widely available near Onomichi Station and Imabari, making the route beginner-friendly.
• Luggage forwarding services are highly recommended if you plan to combine ferries, cycling, and island hopping. Traveling light makes transfers between ports and stations much easier.
• Accommodation on smaller islands can sell out quickly on weekends, during cherry blossom season, and during the Setouchi Triennale art festival, so early booking is recommended.
• Local specialties are a big part of the Setouchi experience. Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, Setouchi Lemon citrus fruits, fresh seafood, Sanuki Udon in Kagawa, and citrus sweets sold along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.

Essential Travel Guides

Before you travel to the coast, make sure you know how to navigate the railways smoothly:

Setouchi Travel FAQs