Secret Hideaways of Japan’s Seto Islands and Inland Sea™
Exceptional Art, Nature and History
- 10 days and 9 nights



Where we go
What we do


Where we stay
Guest House Oomiyake on Naoshima – an intimate B&B oozing Japanese history

Itinerary
Today we take a brief morning Shinkansen ride stopping at the stunning Himeji Castle, renowned for its immaculate white walls. Himeji Castle was built in the 17th century and has travelled unscathed through time. It is a skillful blend of elegance and strength. Its vocation was defensive, as indicated by its ramparts, corner chutes for pouring down boiling oil and the labyrinth of paths and traps to disorientate assailants. And as a bonus Japan’s finest castle has just completed extensive renovation so you can see it in all its splendor. After the castle, we’ll have a brief local lunch before getting back on the Shinkansen to the port city of Okayama for a ferry ride to Naoshima island, one of the 3000 plus islands that dot the Seto Inland Sea. You’ll have time to do some brief exploring before dinner and retiring to your island accommodations.
Trip Pricing
- Please contact us for pricing.
- Prices are based on a twin 2 person room share arrangement
- Check in and out times are set, but late check outs can be arranged if asked for
- We vet and believe in our guides and allow them a greater degree of flexibility during their tours than some other providers. Accordingly, based on the day, weather, how people are feeling, their interests, etc., the guides may vary the itinerary to best suit the needs and desires of the group. We firmly believe this makes for a better touring and overall travel experience.
- 10 Days, 9 Nights
- All Accommodations
- All Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners
- Professional Artisan Pacific Travel vetted bi-lingual guide
- Naoshima Island Art and Museums, Historic Castles, Yoshino River Boating, The World’s Oldest Hot Springs, Revered Shrines and Temples, Sake Museum, Sake Tasting
- A $500 per person deposit is required to hold your place.
- Full payment is required 90 days in advance of the start day of your trip.
- If booking within 90 days of the start of the trip, full payment is required at that time.
Next Steps
At Artisan Pacific Travel the tour experiences are yours, not ours. The itinerary above is a suggestion and we welcome any changes and additions from clients.
Visit our Contact Us page so we can learn more about your ideal tour and we’ll provide you all the information you need to create your personalized trip.
About Shikoku
Shikoku, one of the four islands that comprise Japan, may be the least populous, but it is far from the least interesting. Cut off and isolated for many years, it has remained unspoiled and is home to a host of picturesque temples and villages which are protected by Japan’s highest mountains. The northern part of the island, hemmed by waters that bear a striking likeness to the Mediterranean, is the site of some of Japan’s most exquisite gardens such as Ritsurin-koen (an Edo period masterpiece) and bath houses at Dogo Onsen (east of Matsuyama) and of Takamatsu, the genuine gateway into Shikoku and the Japanese capital of bonsais. Its mild climate is particularly suited to citrus fruits, peaches and even olives. The warm, fish-filled waters of the Pacific Ocean, perfect for swimming, lap the coast of the southern half of the island, blissfully preserved from tourism. A mountain range, which climbs to a height of 1,982 m, cuts across the center and is ideal for outdoor sports such as hiking and climbing. This authentic, unjustly ignored island is the ideal place to get acquainted with Japan: lush green paddy fields, remote fishing villages, strings of secluded islets (many of which don’t have a name) and a local cuisine in which fresh fish takes pride of place.