Travel from Cave to Castle on a Tour of Stunning SetouchiYamaguchi / Hiroshima / Ehime

Explore the spectacular Akiyoshido Cave, located approx. 100 meters meters beneath Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, a vast plateau with the highest number of karst formations found anywhere in Japan. This cavernous Japanese cave is one of the largest limestone caves in the country and continues underground for a staggering 11.2 kilometers You don't need to be an experienced caver to navigate this stunning natural phenomenon, filled with grand rock formations, terraced pools, electric blue streams and subterranean waterfalls. Above ground, there is more to discover – 300 million years ago, the arid plateau was a bustling coral reef. Today, the dramatic karst landscape of seemingly infinite shapes and structures results from rainwater battering the land and dissolving the limestone. Join an instructor-led trekking tour or a cycle tour and enjoy Akiyoshidai's wonderful scenery.

The next leg of your tour takes you to Iwakuni, a city close to Hiroshima and well-known for the Kintai Bridge, a spectacular piece of engineering consisting of five linked wooden arches spanning the Nishiki River. After walking along Kintai Bridge, and enjoying the beautiful river views as you traverse its humps, make your way to Iwakuni Castle. Here, you'll find a castle reconstructed to mirror what it would have looked like when it was first built in the 17th century. Cooking classes in Japan are a great way to explore the ingredients and techniques that make Japanese cuisine well-loved worldwide. On the final stop of your tour of Iwakuni, learn how to make Iwakuni Zushi, a type of layered, pressed sushi which is both popular and unique to the area.

The island of Miyajima is home to Mt. Misen. The surrounding Mt. Misen Primeval Forest is a designated Natural Monument by the government of Japan, littered with vast boulders and boasting sweeping views over the Seto Inland Sea. There are many ways to reach the observation point at the summit. Choose from a range of walking routes suitable for beginners and more accomplished hikers or hop onboard the ropeway and enjoy a gentle climb close to the pinnacle. From the top of the mountain, you'll get a bird’s eye view of the entire area and a string of islands surrounding Miyajima. If you’re keen to try kayaking in Japan, the calm waters around the island are the perfect place to give it a go. Take to the water and soak up breathtaking views of Mt. Misen, the ancient forest that surrounds it, and Miyajima’s beautiful coastline.

The headwaters of the Ota River flow into Yuki, a town in Hiroshima that remains somewhat of a secret in the area, despite having operated as an onsen for over 1,000 years. This onsen town is home to a stunning hot spring where visitors are invited to enjoy a traditional onsen experience. Bathe in the radium-rich waters channeled straight from the ground below in a forested setting, surrounded by swaying trees and dappled sunlight. In this beautiful natural setting, there's also the option to try shower climbing, the sport of climbing a mountain stream or waterfall, at the nearby Minochi River. If you have yet to try hiking in Japan, the area around Yuki is full of natural wonders and a great place to start. Head to the Sandankyo Gorge in Akiota, one of the most famous gorges in Japan, located in the Nishi-Chugoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park, for an exhilarating hiking experience.

The Shimanami Kaido cycling route follows a highway that connects Japan's main island of Honshu to Shikoku, working its way through six islands in the Seto Inland Sea on the route. Embarking from Onomichi, the gateway to the mainland side of the Shimanami Kaido, the journey to Imabari unfolds with picturesque scenes of iconic bridges like the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, quaint fishing villages, and the shimmering Seto Inland Sea. As you pedal, take in landmarks such as the Innoshima Bridge and Tatara Bridge before reaching Imabari, where the breathtaking views set the stage for a visit to the renowned Imabari Castle. Explore the vast stone walls and moat that date back to the Edo era (1603–1868). Due to its proximity to the ocean, the castle moat is actually saltwater, which is quite rare in Japan. A few years ago, sharks were even seen swimming in the seawater of the moat. Enjoying the panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea from the castle tower's top floor is a fitting way to end your trip around this spectacular region.