Your Seto adventure awaits! Here’s an artistic shot at JR Hiroshima station.

The Seto Inland Sea stretches from Osaka all the way to Hiroshima, down to Fukuoka and then even further south. It has some of the more complex coastal geography of Japan, with nearly infinite amount of nooks to explore both on land and at sea. We’re here to give you a glimpse into some of the things you can do beyond simply Kyoto and Osaka. Art, food, and adventure await on the inner sea of Japan!

The local lines are quaint and relaxing too. Here we’re at JR Bingo-Akasaka Station on the Sanyo Honsen Line.
(Photographed on April 21,2025)

Let’s remember the past with the Atomic Dome, but always look ahead

This relatively new lookout tower gives you a stylish view of Hiroshima’s most impressive architecture, and it’s just a 10-minute ride on the trolley from JR Hiroshima Station. The surrounding area is home to the “Atomic Dome” a living memorial of the scale of destruction that fell upon the city at the tail-end World War 2, as well as other buildings and monuments dedicated to remembrance and peace. The area sees many political leaders gather on the anniversary of the atomic bomb dropping, and can be likened to Washington DC in appearance and political significance in Japan.

The cool lighting gives way to a resilient metropolis. A long walk (about 30 minutes) or street car from JR Hiroshima Station will put you right in the middle of it all.

Once evening hits, let’s have a few drinks with the view

This is the best place to get a view of the city, and also get an artistic perspective on Hiroshima’s atmosphere of both embracing the past and looking toward the future. A small museum section awaits on the descent, and in addition to some interactive displays, visitors are encouraged to fold their own “paper crane” in the Japanese origami fashion. The crane is then dropped into a massive pile, filling up one windowed-section of the building that can be viewed from outside; a huge stack currently at 1.12 million paper cranes! During the time we visited, if you hang around until 6pm, a dining bar on the top floor welcomes visitors to enjoy their drinks and food with the night view from the top (although this may only be available for a limited time). What’s more, the shop on the bottom floor here showcases a myriad of local Hiroshima products ranging from sweet and savory treats, to more crafty things like textiles and traditional toys.

A treasure trove of cool Hiroshima goods

One could spend all day admiring the otherworldly scenery here in Fukuyama. You’ll need to ride a bus from Fukuyama Station (about 20 min)

One of the many hidden gems that adds to the allure

A Buddhist wonderland, a way to nurture your spirit and relax in one of the most manicured and beautiful landscapes I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting in japan, tucked away in the hills. The temple is about 20 minutes away from JR Fukuyama station riding the Tomotetsu bus. The bus ride itself is a fun trek through the lush countryside and cute residential areas of a place less traveled.

A healthy lunch with an amazing backdrop

We were treated to a healthy meal of udon followed by a zazen experience to completely reset us from the outside world. Zazen is a word you often hear used interchangeably with meditation, and the priest on duty gave us his keen perspective on what it truly means to “focus on not focusing”. It’s harder than you think, but it gets easier as you keep trying! You keep your back straight, hands together in your lap, and eyes slightly open, down at a 45 degree angle. It was somewhat of a wakeup call in regard to how much time we spend on screens, or seeking some external stimulation even when we are meant to be “relaxing”. Who knew that focusing on your breathing, and zoning out for two sessions of twenty minutes could be so hard?

How does one prepare to not focus on anything? We did it somehow!

A reasonable entrance fee is very worth the refreshing time you can spend here, even just wandering around the stunning foliage, having a good, old-fashioned.

Is this 2025? Or are we back in Edo times? Just about 10 minutes from JR Kurashiki Station is a blast from the past!

Bustling, but not overcrowded. Perfect to keep your shopping spirits high.

A modern yet historical blend of shops and restaurants where nearly every building is a refurbished “kura” (stone storehouse) or classical wooden structure. A wealth of chic cafes and unique shops dot the maze of streets, with plenty of nooks and sidestreets to get lost in. You’ll find local sweets, and actually a lot of textile shops, namely denim(Kurashiki denim) , but also kimonos and more. General souvenir shops are in no short supply, and you’ll even find some niche, peculiar things for sale. Bisected at different points by a picturesque river with the occasional boat tour cruising through, a shrine towers over the cityscape, with the sea of immaculate Japanese rooftops making for a surreal view.

Another angle of a beautifully preserved district

A sidestreet adventure with a tasty lunch at the end- pizza, actually!

A beautiful mix of stone and foliage welcomes you into a realm of art

And this guy also welcomed us too!

Located within the Kurashiki Historical District, this is an interesting museum that features many Japanese artists, some that have adopted a western approach, but also a mix of modern and traditional works. Just a short walk (10-15 min.) from JR Kurashiki Station will put you right in the middle of a plethora of new experiences both old and new. Many of Japan’s residents are very eager to share their own traditional culture with foreign visitors, and moreover relish in their amazement, but this museum showcases Japanese artists fascination and inspiration from western art. Many pieces were collected by Kojima Torajiro, a traveler and artist who had repeated stints in both Europe and Egypt, allowing him to hone is skills and expand his dazzling collection shown here. He was an accomplished creator, and one of the premier artists using oil painting to show slices of life in both Japan and abroad. Naturally, there are many international artists of varying styles, urging all visitors to find their favorites. The exterior of the museum is an imposing design, complemented by the extensive greenery and stylish Japanese architecture blending into the landscape.

A quaint appearance outside gives way to a master’s den of dazzling sweets. This is one of Kurashiki Historical District’s tastiest shops.

A quaint sweets shop with cakes, parfaits, and tasty drinks to complement them, perfectly located in Kurashiki’s old district, 15 minutes from the station. The area out back is shrouded in green, giving a beautiful backdrop to even more beautiful, handmade sweets. You wouldn’t know it from the outside, as the shop blends in among the rest of the rustic buildings, but inside you’ll find cozy, floor seating in the Japanese style, and a wooden interior that somehow has slight notes of jazz. The primary sweets master here has a keen sense, and focuses on the angle of presentation of the parfait, making them temporal and delicious works of art.

The color contrast was almost as good as the flavor and mouthfeel

A great spread to top off our trip, a 10-minute walk from Okayama station! Spicy for me, always.

More and more craft beer is popping up around Japan. Gotta try ‘em all!

As the “shime” or final event of a night on the town or an action-packed travel, there’s no better thing to close it down than a bowl of hearty ramen. This easily accessible shop just a straight 10-minute walk from Okayakama Station has a slightly chic approach to their ramen, going for not only a complex and bright flavor, but also a stunning presentation. You can complement your meal with a great selection of sake and craft beer to help you enjoy a slightly longer and more relaxing stay in the artsy wooden interior of the shop even after your ramen is finished. We have to also mention the “Katsuo-flake fries”! Seems like a no-brainer for a Japanese appetizer, but I had actually never seen it before coming here! Be sure to take your time either on the way there or back to the station to enjoy Sun-Ste Okayama, the relaxed but bustling shopping area along Okayama Station’s exterior.

Always a chance to be a little silly! Come join us!

Inujima Seirensho Art Museum
Photo：Daici Ano

After exploring the history and gourmet of the mainland areas, it’s time to get out on the inland sea! Japan’s public transportation is lauded as reliable and efficient, and that also extends to the expansive system of ferries and boats to get both commuters and travelers island hopping with ease. First, you’ll need a train to JR Saidaiji Station from JR Okayama Station. Then a bit of a bus trek (about 55 minutes) on the “Ryobi” bus will take you to the Nishi-Hoden stop, and another 5-minute walk will get you to the boat launch. The journey will be worth it, and the views on the way are a feast for the eyes.

The whole island is like a bit of an art installation, with statues and geographical features to wow you from a distance. The main attraction is the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, which is built from the ruins of a former copper refinery, turned into a one-of-a-kind modern art museum, utilizing the former walls and structures to give an otherworldly feel. The island population is only around fifty people, so facilities are somewhat limited.

The more rugged travelers can opt to camp between April 15th and October 15th at the campground, using either their own gear or rental gear from the campground management. It’s a true sidequest for those looking to take the plunge into deep tourism!