PLAN YOUR TRIP
Getting to Setouchi
Setouchi is comprised of seven diverse prefectures that border the Seto Inland Sea. Each is well-connected to Japan’s other major cities by air, road, and rail.
By Plane
Each prefecture in Setouchi has a convenient domestic airport with connections to international airports in Osaka (Kansai International Airport) and Tokyo (Haneda or Narita), as well as other airports in Japan. Some airports have direct international flights cities including Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Taipei. The airports of Setouchi are Yamaguchi Ube Airport and Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport in Yamaguchi, Okayama Momotaro Airport, Hiroshima Airport, Matsuyama Airport (Ehime), Tokushima Awaodori Airport, Takamatsu Airport (Kagawa), and Kobe Airport (Hyogo). Plan the best route to Setouchi with a journey planner such as Rome2Rio.
By Train
Express trains and the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (bullet train) which runs between Tokyo and Hakata (Fukuoka) serve Setouchi, stopping at Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Shin-Yamaguchi. Many trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass or the JR Setouchi Area Pass. Some bus and ferry services, trams in Okayama, and the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus (Meipuru-pu) are also covered by the passes. Express trains to Setouchi include Super Hakuto from Kyoto, which stops in Osaka, and several stations in Hyogo including Kobe and Himeji.
By Bus
Japan has an extensive network of highway buses with inexpensive, convenient connections between major cities and a wide range of destinations in Setouchi. There are regular express bus services from Tokyo to destinations around Setouchi. There are several bus companies, covering different destinations. Japan Bus Lines has more information on destinations, schedules, and fees.
By Car
Driving is a convenient way to explore Setouchi, and with GPS navigation, getting around is easier than ever. There are car rental companies in all major cities. If you are starting from Osaka, the Hanshin Expressway is a convenient way to start your journey. The Expressway runs through Kobe, where you can connect with National Route 2, which continues through Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi, then on to Kyushu. Most rental cars have an ETC card fixed to the dashboard or windscreen to pay expressway tolls wirelessly. Get a San’in‐Setouchi‐Shikoku Expressway Pass for discounts on tolls.
