Now that you've got an idea of what there is to do in Okayama Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Yamaguchi Prefecture, next we'll head on a journey that takes us across several prefectures! With the Setouchi Area Pass in hand, your travel options are almost endless, but today we'll be covering an example travel plan through Okayama Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture.
We'll also introduce other spots we couldn't in other articles, and teach you how to get the most out of your Setouchi Area Pass!
Day 1: From Osaka to Okayama Prefecture
Osaka, 11:30 a.m. - Leave Osaka on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen!
If you're traveling through the Setouchi Area, you'll definitely want to try riding the world's only Hello Kitty Shinkansen. This bullet train is filled with photo spots, with train carriages covered in pink ribbons from the seats to the display space in the first car, with a Hello Kitty dressed in a train conductor outfit to greet you along the way. With Hello Kitty and your friends all together, you'll be in high spirits before your trip has even started!
You're sure to get plenty of opportunities to use this cute bullet train, as it passes through many main sightseeing areas, such as Shin-Osaka Station, Okayama Station, Shin-Kurashiki Station, Mihara Station, and Hiroshima Station.
Setouchi Area Pass Special Info:
The Hello Kitty Shinkansen is included and all-you-can-ride! The more you ride, the better the value!
Hello Kitty Shinkansen
- Please check the timetable listed here for days and times of operation: https://www.jr-hellokittyshinkansen.jp/en/
Okayama Prefecture, 3:30 p.m. - View breathtaking scenery while surrounded by olive trees
Ushimado is famous as the olive production region of Japan, and, besides selling various olive goods, it's also referred to as the "Aegean Sea of Japan" for its beautiful scenery. At the mountain summit's olive shop, you can buy all sorts of olive derived products, as well as relax at the cafe or enjoy the sights from the observation deck. Why not enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the views of Ushimado and the Seto Inland Sea?
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself on this 10 hectare orchard too! Ushimado Olive Garden was also chosen as the "holy land of lovers" thanks to its "bell of happiness," which is said to grant your wish if you ring it three times. There are lodging accommodations on the orchard grounds as well, making it a lovely spot to spend a night relaxing among the greenery.
Setouchi Area Pass Special Info:
The usual one-way fee of 330 JPY from Okayama Station to Oku Station is 0 JPY using your pass!
Ushimado Olive Garden
- Access: A 20-minute bus ride from JR Oku Station toward Ushimado on the Tobi Bus, get off at Olive Garden Entrance bus stop and walk for an additional 30 minutes.
- The Tobi Bus is not included in the area covered by the Setouchi Area Pass
Day 2: Okayama Prefecture to Hiroshima Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture, 7:30 a.m. - See the "Castle Among the Sea of Clouds" if you're lucky!
It's because you're on vacation that it's worth waking up early! The once-in-a-lifetime view of Okayama Prefecture's Bitchu Matsuyama Castle floating among the sea of clouds is sure to make it worth it.
Drive 15 minutes from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station to the 430-metre-high sea of clouds observation deck. Here, you can watch the castle rise above the sea of clouds between early September and late April in the early morning (generally until around 8 a.m.) Because the weather has to be just perfect to view this spectacular sight, it makes it worth waking up early to see the castle among the sea of clouds!
Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle itself is an Important Cultural Property and one of the twelve remaining tenshu castle keeps in Japan. There is a sightseeing taxi (reservation only) that can take visitors to the 8th station of Fuigo Pass, so if you're wanting to get a close look at the castle, consider looking into this travel option.
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
Access: A 15-minute taxi ride from JR Bitchu-Takamatsu Station
Okayama Prefecture, Low Tide - A mysterious sandy path opens in the middle of the ocean
Having enjoyed the views the mountains have to offer, now it's time to head to the beach to take some pictures of the sights! The most striking thing about Kuroshima's Venus Road is that it only appears during low tide. Only when the tides have completely receded can you traverse this bow-shaped, 800-metre-long path of sand connecting the three islands in the sea near Ushimado.
Similarly to the name of the goddess it was named after, Venus Road is popular as a power spot for lovers. There is a naturally heart-shaped rock called the "Goddess' Heart" in Nakanokojima said to grant the wishes of those who strongly wish for love as they touch the rock. If you're lucky, you can even see starfish and octopuses in the water! Check the time low tide is expected to come for a higher probability of seeing this mystical road!
Kuroshima Venus Road
- Access: Ride the Tobi Bus from JR Oku Station toward Ushimado for around 20 minutes, get off at Honrenji-shita bus stop, take the shuttle boat from The Hotel Lemani Setouchi for around 5 minutes (fee and reservation required)
Hiroshima Prefecture, 3 p.m. - Experience Zazen at a Zen temple lodging
Did you know you can stay at a Zen Buddhist temple in Hiroshima Prefecture?
In 1965, Shinshoji, a Zen Buddhist temple of the Kennin-ji sect, was founded. It is an international Zen dojo that doesn't question your nationality or religion, and even the general public can participate in the Zen ceremonies held here with prior registration. The first day's activities begin at 3 p.m. until 9:30 a.m. of the second day of your stay, and you'll learn how to respectfully enter a temple, Zen meditation, Buddhist chants, cleansing rituals, and other such Zen experiences throughout the day, creating a bridge for people to better understand the religious traditions of Japan.
Besides stay-in experiences, the temple also offers day-trip Zen experiences, allowing you to relax your mind and body among its traditional Shichido-garan architecture while enjoying the greenery outside.
You're sure to be inspired once you set foot in the 46-metre-tall art pavilion, Kohtei, on the temple grounds.
Setouchi Area Pass Special Info:
The usual one-way fee of 3,100 JPY from Oku Station to Fukuyama Station is 0 JPY using your pass!
Shinshoji Temple
- Access: Ride the Tomotetsu Bus from JR Fukuyama Station toward Miroku no Sato for 30 minutes, get off at Tenshin-san bus stop and walk for 15 minutes
- The stay-in Zen experience is only available on the first Monday, second Friday, third Monday, and fourth Friday of each month
Day 3: Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture, 9 a.m. - Enjoy cycling while bathing in the seaside breeze
Onomichi is famously featured in many movies and video productions. Did you know it's also the place to be for cycle touring?
The approximately 60 km road that connects Hiroshima Prefecture's Onomichi City and Ehime Prefecture's Imabari City is also known as the "Cyclists' Holy Land." If you board the cruise ship that allows you to bring your bicycle, Cycleship Lazuli, you can easily enjoy a cycling trip from JR Onomichi Station to Setoda Pier!
To make cycling easier on the Nishi Seto Expressway, there is a suggested line for cyclists on the left side of the car lane, called the Blue Line, that beginner cyclists can use as a guide. Rent a bicycle from Onomichi Pier to enjoy a personalized travel plan at your leisure.
Setouchi Area Pass Special Info:
Cyclists can use the Setoda Touring Pass to travel between Onomichi Station and Imabari Station. Bus fee is 2,250 JPY one-way.
Setoda Touring Pass
Cycleship Lazuli
- Access: A 3-minute walk from JR Onomichi Station
- Please access Cycleship Lazuli's homepage for a detailed list of operation times
Hiroshima Prefecture, 12 p.m. - Enjoy the beauty of Japanese architecture in one stop
There are plenty of sights to see along the Nishi Seto Expressway! Ikuchi Island (Setoda Pier) is the last stop for many ships, as well as the home of an art museum and sculpture. The Buddhist temple built in 1936, Kousanji, is a sight you won't want to miss.
It is currently open to the public as Kousanji Museum, but within the temple grounds stands a statue of the Guze Kannon, as fashioned after the Guze Kannon displayed in Nara Prefecture's Horyu-ji, as well as Amida-do, built to replicate the Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in in Uji. Due to the many replicas of ancient halls throughout Japan built here, Kousanji has come to be known as the "Light of the West."
The views Kousanji has to offer will take your breath away, from the highly valued architectural style referred to as "Kousanji style" to the exquisite landscape overlooking the pure white "Hill of Hope" facing the sea.
Kousanji Museum (Kousanji Temple)
- Access: A 10-minute walk from Setoda Pier
The best way to get around Okayama Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture - Discover West Japan's Setouchi Area Pass
There are plenty of wonderful places to visit in the Setouchi area, so many so that you might not be able to choose just one. If you're looking to travel with ease, the Setouchi Area Pass is your best bet! This pass offers unlimited travel via shinkansen, train, and buses (some excluded) over a 5-day period throughout Okayama Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and other areas within Setouchi, so it's a must-have for first-time and seasoned travelers! We'll introduce the best way to use this pass in a separate article, so don't miss it!
For more information on the Setouchi Area Pass:
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/setouchi/
Links to related articles:
Okayama Prefecture:
- The Top 3 Major Tourist Spots to Read About in 5 Minutes for Your First Okayama Trip! (For Beginners)
- The Top 3 Tourist Spots to Read About in 5 Minutes as Recommended by Okayama Experts! (For Previous Visitors)
- Check Out FUN! JAPAN's Top 3 Places to Eat in Okayama Prefecture!
Hiroshima Prefecture:
- The Top 3 Major Tourist Spots to Read About in 5 Minutes for Your First Hiroshima Trip! (For Beginners)
- The Top 3 Tourist Spots to Read About in 5 Minutes as Recommended by Hiroshima Experts! (For Previous Visitors)
- Check Out FUN! JAPAN's Top 3 Places to Eat in Hiroshima Prefecture!
Yamaguchi Prefecture:
- The Top 3 Major Tourist Spots to Read About in 5 Minutes for Your First Yamaguchi Trip! (For Beginners)
- The Top 3 Tourist Spots to Read About in 5 Minutes as Recommended by Yamaguchi Experts! (For Previous Visitors)
Okayama and Hiroshima Prefecture:
sponsored by West Japan Railway Company
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