To fully explore the most photogenic spots for social media and hidden gems on your next Japan trip, why not hit the road in a rental car?
Exploring Japan by train or bus can be limiting, but with a rental car, you're free to roam at your own pace - plus, there's plenty of room for all those must-have souvenirs!
Worried about highway tolls? No problem! The San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP) makes driving easy, affordable, and stress-free.
In this five-part series, we’re covering must-drive routes through San’in, Setouchi, and Shikoku. This edition is packed with undiscovered treasures guaranteed to make your social media shine!Best of all, with the SEP, you can save ¥1,420 on your adventure compared to the regular highway toll! *Valid as of March 2025.
What is the SEP? Your Must-Have Ticket for the Ultimate San'in, Setouchi & Shikoku Road Trip!
The San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP) is a special pass exclusively for foreign visitors, offering unlimited highway access across 10 prefectures in the San’in, Setouchi, and Shikoku regions for a fixed fee. Prices vary depending on the duration of your pass, but with the perfect route, this pass can help you save big on your Japan road trip!
Choose the ideal plan for your trip, with options ranging from 3 to 10 days.
What to bring to the store:
- Passport
- Driver’s license valid for use in Japan
For more details on the SEP, click here!
https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13402
San'in, Setouchi, and Shikoku Driving Routes: Off-the-Beaten-Path & Picture-Perfect Locations Route!
Driving Route Overview
Matsuyama Station to Yonago Airport Route:
Ehime Prefecture → Kagawa Prefecture → Tokushima Prefecture → Hyogo Prefecture → Okayama Prefecture → Tottori Prefecture
Sample Itinerary for a Four-Day, Three-Night Driving Adventure
Embark on an exciting four-day, three-night road trip from Matsuyama Station in Ehime Prefecture to Yonago Airport in Tottori Prefecture! Discover photogenic hidden spots along the way, including the whimsical Yōkai Yashiki at a roadside station, the picturesque streets of Hirafuku, and the breathtaking Kamba Falls, where water cascades dramatically down rugged cliffs. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with unique sights and charming stops!
A luxurious 3-night, 4-day route spanning 6 prefectures. By using the 4-day SEP, you can save ¥1,420 on highway tolls compared to the regular rate. *Valid as of March 2025.
Recommended Spots along the "Off-the-Beaten-Path & Picture-Perfect Locations” Route!
Umpenji Summit Park: Experience a "Sky Swing" with Stunning Views of the Seto Inland Sea!
Perched 920 meters above sea level on the Kagawa-Tokushima border, Umpenji Summit Park offers stunning views from the top of Mount Umpenji. Visitors can ascend to the summit via one of Japan's largest ropeways, which is 2,594 meters long, has a height difference of 657 meters, and travels at 36 km/h. The 101-seat gondola takes just 7 minutes to reach the top.
t the summit park, ride on the "Sky Swing," where you can soar above the stunning Sanuki Plains and Seto Inland Sea. With the brilliant blue sky as your backdrop, it feels like you’re gliding through the air! But the fun doesn't stop there; discover charming photo frames set against breathtaking scenery and whimsical, colorful benches. Plus, with a cozy cafe nearby, you’ll surely be able to snap plenty of photos for your social media feed!
https://www.mitoyo-kanko.com/eng/facility/unpenji-ropeway/
https://www.instagram.com/unpenjiropeway/
Awa Sand Pillars: Enjoy Nature's Million-Year-Old Artistic Beauty, All to Yourself!
The Awa Sand Pillars are breathtaking natural formations, slowly formed over millennia as layers of soil and gravel built up and were eroded by rainwater. This seemingly artistic display of nature's incredible beauty is a true marvel of Mother Nature's power!
You’ll be amazed to discover that the layers visible from the front observation deck date back about one million years! From the summit observation deck of the tallest pillar, Hatōgatake, you can look down at the other pillars below you, adding a thrilling twist to your visit. The three-dimensional shape of the pillars creates interesting shadows throughout the day, making it an ideal location to capture a photo as if you’ve traveled back in time on an adventure. Plus, as a lesser-known gem with fewer visitors, you might just find yourself snapping pictures as if you have the whole place to yourself!
At the summit of the hiking trail, you'll find a gazebo offering gorgeous views of the Shikoku Plains. In the evening, the area is beautifully illuminated, providing a wonderful contrast to the dynamic flow of the land seen in the early morning or daytime.
https://discovertokushima.net/en/spots/awasandstonepillars/
Arima Onsen: Discover Japan's Three Ancient Hot Springs with Unique "Golden" and "Silver" Waters!
Arima Onsen, one of Japan's famous "Three Ancient Springs," is mentioned throughout Japanese historical texts and has captured the hearts of countless visitors over the years. Located 30–40 minutes from downtown Kobe, it provides a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway!
This natural haven is renowned for its unique minerals, making it a rare find among hot springs worldwide. The highlight is the "Golden Spring," a deep brown bath rich in iron and sodium, known for its incredible moisturizing benefits and effectiveness against skin infections and chronic eczema. Additionally, there’s the colorless "Silver Spring," offering an alternative hot spring to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy day-use public baths like Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu, and there are also free refreshing foot baths!
Take a stroll through the enchanting streets of the town, featuring the eye-catching red Nenehashi Bridge and the historic Yumotozaka on the Arima Main Road. Savor delightful hot spring delicacies and capture social media-worthy photos as you explore this charming area!
https://visit.arima-onsen.com/
To read more about Arima Onsen, click here!
https://www.fun-japan.jp/jp/articles/9425
Mizuki Shigeru Road: A 24/7 Yōkai Wonderland, Perfect for Strolling and Snapping Pictures!
Mizuki Shigeru Road is an enchanting 800-meter street linking Sakai Minato Station to the Mizuki Shigeru Museum. This delightful route honors the birthplace of renowned manga artist Mizuki Shigeru, creator of the iconic yōkai comic "GeGeGe no Kitarō." Thanks to his legacy, Sakai Minato in Tottori Prefecture has embraced its yōkai culture, transforming the town into a vibrant hub for fans and visitors!
The wide, stone-paved street showcases an impressive collection of 178 weird and wonderful bronze yōkai monster statues. As you journey from the station to the museum, you'll encounter themed areas like "Mizuki Shigeru's world of Manga," "Yōkais that inhabit forests," "Yōkais that influence the gods and fortunes," "Yōkais that hide nearby," and "Yōkais that inhabit homes." Keep your eyes peeled for these intriguing characters as you wander this intriguing route!
Yōkai are everywhere you look—hiding in the police box, post office, shrines, streetlamps, and on signage. The thrill of spotting and snapping photos of these quirky creatures adds to the adventure! Plus, you'll find an array of delicious yōkai-themed sweets and unique souvenirs to take home as a memento!
As darkness falls, the path is illuminated with captivating shadow pictures of yōkai, creating an entirely different ambiance from the daytime. The fun light show runs from sunset until 10 PM, so be sure to stop by! (Shadow pictures can be seen until sunrise.)
https://mizuki-sakaiminato-net.translate.goog/
To read more about Mizuki Shigeru Road, click here!
https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13190
About the SEP
- Name: San'in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass
- Abbreviation: SEP
- Eligibility: Available to anyone* holding a foreign passport or Japanese nationals with permanent residency abroad (*Limited to those with a driver's license valid for use in Japan).
- How to use: Applications must be submitted through designated rental car companies. Same-day applications also accepted.
- Eligible vehicles: The pass is valid for vehicles equipped with ETC cards provided by the designated rental car companies, utilizing ETC wireless communication for travel.
- Applicable areas: The pass covers highways managed by NEXCO West Japan in Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi prefectures. (Please note that additional fees apply for some routes, such as the Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Expressway and Hiroshima Expressway. For further information on ineligible sections, please refer to the official NEXCO West Japan website.)
- Official website：https://global.w-nexco.co.jp/en/sep/
- Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552613873798
Feel free to use these as inspiration for your travel itinerary!
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