Travel Experiences
in Setouchi

Japan's love of trains has led the country to have one of the safest, most reliable and fastest railway networks in the world. In the Setouchi area, sightseeing trains are popular, offering one-of-a-kind scenic journeys accompanied by unique cuisine and local history to boot.
La Malle de Bois is another uniquely custom designed service that runs on 4 routes: Okayama–Uno, Okayama–Onomichi, Okayama–Hinase and Okayama–Kotohira.
Admire the art touches, like the dedicated exhibition space for works by contemporary artists or the train's exterior monochromatic artwork, with its suitcase motifs and signs that evoke the feeling of travel. With ample bicycle-storage for cyclists, the train is a great way to travel the Setouchi region in style.
The etSETOra train provides a new way to enjoy Setouchi's charms between Onomichi and Hiroshima. Enjoy a comfortable interior, local Japanese and Western sweets on the menu and the beauty of the islands across the Seto Inland Sea from the train windows.
The Marumaru no Hanashi sightseeing train runs between Yamaguchi Prefecture's Hagi, Nagato and Shimonoseki. Take in stunning coastal views of the Sea of Japan while enjoying a bento meal prepared with local ingredients, or stop off along the way to access some of the region's standout attractions, like the red torii gate tunnel at Motonosumi Shrine or Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge which connects to the island resort of Tsunoshima.
The Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari journeys between Tadotsu in Kagawa Prefecture and Oboke Station in Tokushima Prefecture, through scenic valleys. Guests can enjoy interiors (custom-order) that resembles a traditional Japanese home surrounded by warm wood tones, while enjoying local food and sake. The train was inspired by the changing of the four seasons in Japan and the interior designs vary by car.
The retro-modern Iyonada Monogatari promises stunning coastal views as it journeys along the Seto Inland Sea in Ehime prefecture.
Experience Japanese hospitality from your seat, with the kindness of attendants and the warmth of locals waving on from the trackside as this beloved train glides by.
Embark on one of four daily services that connect Matsuyama, Iyo-Ōzu and Yawatahama — each journey provides unique views of the Seto Inland Sea and a meal from local ingredients and appropriate to the time of day it is served.

This museum in Osafune-machi specializes in swords. The museum is located in an area that, in the past, was known as one of the biggest Japanese sword production sites in Japan. The museum features an exhibit which allows guests to watch a sword master while he creates a blade, as well as the Bizen Osafune Sword Studio, where the master of the blade sculpture works. Visitors can see the skill of Japanese sword artisans, including the process in which Tamahagane, Japanese sword materials, are heated to 1300 degrees and then hammered out into a flat plate (dates and times are limited for this exhibit).

Karato Market is a Shimonoseki City regional wholesale market set in front of the Kanmon Strait. Starting at 5:00 a.m., and this market is very rare around the nation because customers can enjoy purchasing the goods. On the second floor of the market there are sushi train restaurants and cafeterias where visitors can sample fresh seafood and local produce. Every week an "Iki-Iki (lively) Bakangai"is held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as public holidays; during this time seafood stalls selling sushi and fried blowfish line the street, and tourists crowd into the small area to sample the delicious food.