For the ultimate foodie adventure, a road trip is the way to go! A rental car lets you easily reach hidden local gems and carry all the delicious takeout and souvenirs you can handle! No hassle, just great eats!
Worried about highway tolls? No problem! The San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP) makes driving easy, affordable, and stress-free.
Get ready to hit the road with our curated driving route through San'in, Setouchi, and Shikoku, highlighting must-try local delicacies!
Best of all, with the SEP, you can save ¥4,410 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: Gourmet Route
Driving Route Overview
Yamaguchi Ube Airport to Okayama Route
Yamaguchi Prefecture → Hiroshima Prefecture → Ehime Prefecture → Kochi Prefecture → Tokushima Prefecture → Kagawa Prefecture → Okayama Prefecture
Sample Itinerary for a Five-Day, Four-Night Driving Adventure
Start your unforgettable five-day, four-night road trip at Yamaguchi Ube Airport! Cruise along the picturesque Nishi-Seto (Shimanami Kaidō) Expressway, check out the highlights of Shikoku, and loop back to Okayama. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and treat your taste buds to delights unique to this region, like Susaki's nabeyaki ramen noodles and Iya soba noodles!
A luxurious five-day, four-night route spanning 6 prefectures. By using the 4-day SEP, you can save ¥4,410 on highway tolls compared to the regular rate. *Valid as of March 2025.
Must-Visit Wonders on the Gourmet Route!
Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima: See the Majestic Floating Ōtorii Gate and Savor Delicious Local Flavors!
Towering out of the Seto Inland Sea, the vibrant vermilion Ōtorii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine is a breathtaking sight. The shrine itself is located on Miyajima Island, which is said to be “the home of the gods.” To get to Miyajima, simply hop on a ferry from the Miyajimaguchi Pier. Parking can fill up quickly during peak seasons like fall, so we recommend using the temporary parking lots. For a more serene experience, arrive early in the morning and soak in the beauty before the crowds arrive!
Views of the Ōtorii Gate transform with the tides; when tides go out, the water level dips below 100cm, and you can stroll right under it. But, when the tides come back in, the water level rises above 250cm, and the gate seems to float gracefully on the water. For the best experience, check out tide schedule websites* before your visit to plan your trip perfectly!
https://www.miyajima.or.jp/sio/sio01.php *Japanese only
Don't miss the amazing view of the Ōtorii Gate from inside the main shrine building—a must-have photo opportunity you won't want to miss!
Omotesandō Shopping Street is a food lover’s dream, packed with irresistible local treats! The iconic maple leaf-shaped momiji manjū has countless varieties: deep-fried, tempura, ice cream-filled, flaky croissant-style, and even with a savory twist using marinated oysters. Want more? Try dipping the bite-sized cakes in chocolate or matcha, or grab a refreshing chilled version straight from a vending machine!
Not simply known just for its momiji manjū cakes, Miyajima is also famous for its oyster cuisine. Try them grilled and topped with eel, sea urchin or salmon roe, grilled with soy sauce butter, or even served in a crispy oyster curry bun. The perfect seafood feast!
The saltwater eel, known locally as anago, is a local delicacy that draws crowds, with many anago restaurants drawing in lines of diners before they even open! For a tasty on-the-go treat, be sure to try crispy anago tempura skewers.
If you need a break from strolling around the island, stop by one of the chic cafes brewing up top-notch coffee or cozy pancake spots for the perfect pick-me-up. A delicious way to recharge!
https://www.itsukushimajinja.jp/en/index.html
Hirome Market: A Food Lover's Paradise in Kochi with Food to Go & Souvenirs Galore!
Discover Hirome Market, a vibrant hub near Kochi Castle featuring around 60 bustling eateries and shops! Named after the historic former residence of Shigeaki "Hirome" Fukao, chief retainer to the feudal lord of the Tosa Domain, this market invites you to indulge in local flavors and soak up the lively atmosphere!
Dive into the vibrant ambiance of this massive food court, where you can treat yourself to an exciting selection of Kochi's culinary delights! See the renowned katsuo tataki, bonito seared over a roaring straw fire, and a whole other variety of Japanese and Western dishes, and tempting desserts. Be sure to grab a table before roaming around to order your favorites from the maze of stalls. It's common to share tables on weekends and holidays, so enjoy mingling with locals and fellow travelers as you enjoy the mouthwatering flavors of this gourmet region!
At Hirome Market, the must-try dish is undoubtedly the katsuo tataki: seared bonito! While it's typically paired with the citrus ponzu sauce or plain soy sauce, the authentic Kochi experience calls for diners to savor it with coarse salt to draw out and enhance its rich flavors. The delightful smoky aroma from the charred straw lingers on the seared skin, making each bite irresistible. Plus, don’t forget to try other local favorites like tempura, shamo nabe hotpot, and grilled eel skewers. While you're there, why not also pick up some exclusive gourmet souvenirs, including local sake, that you won’t find anywhere else?
https://hirome.co.jp *Japanese only
Kotohiragū Shrine: Trek to the Birthplace of Udon while Enjoying Tasty Bites & Photogenic Spots Along the Way!
Kotohiragū Shrine, affectionately known as "Konpira-san," is a shrine dedicated to the god of the sea. Located in Kagawa Prefecture's Kotohira Town, it sits high on the eastern slope of Mount Zōzu. To reach the main shrine, visitors must conquer an impressive 785 stone steps!
However, don’t despair; as you make your way up to the shrine, the steps are lined with plenty of irresistible street food and sweet treats. Take a break and indulge in kyūman, a moxibustion-inspired dessert, or enjoy the eye-catching oiri soft serve, creamy ice cream topped with colorful oiri balls, perfect for a stylish snapshot! However, for something truly unique, try the kamatama soft serve, a fun dessert resembling udon noodles. Don't miss the savory delights as you stroll either, like crispy croquettes. Fun fact: Japan’s famous udon noodles are said to have originated right here at “Konpira-san!” Enjoy stopping off along your climb to take in the delicious flavors.
https://www.konpira.or.jp/articles_2023/20231130_KOTOHIRA-Gu_Official-Guide_in_English/article.html
Demikatsu-don: A Deliciously Addictive Fusion of Hamburger and Cutlet, Only in Okayama!
If you're in Okayama, you can't miss the mouthwatering demikatsu-don! This irresistible dish features a crispy breaded pork cutlet served atop rice and smothered in a rich and savory demi-glace sauce. It’s a local favorite you'll find all over the region!
In Japan, demi-glace sauce is usually reserved for hamburgers, so taking a bite of the demikatsu-don allows you to enjoy an exciting combination of the savory tastes of a hamburger and classic katsu-don. Even with a generous pour of demi-glace sauce over the crispy tonkatsu, the sauce doesn't overwhelm the crispy coating, keeping the tonkatsu light and crunchy from start to finish. The thick, satisfying cutlet is filling without being greasy, offering a perfect balance of flavors. Each restaurant adds its own twist, so why not hunt for your ideal version of this tasty local specialty?
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=61552349384470&locale=ja_JP
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