From an Alpine-style ridgeline trek to island-hopping e-bike routes, the Setouchi region offers active, low-key ways to experience the Seto Inland Sea
SETOUCHI, Japan, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As travelers seek slower-paced, more immersive ways to explore, Japan's Setouchi region is drawing attention for its alpine treks, walkable trails and bikeable island routes along the Seto Inland Sea – an expanse separating three of Japan's main islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Spanning seven prefectures (Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, and Ehime), the region gathers dramatic coastlines, dense forests and towering mountain peaks alongside historical landmarks, mountainside shrines and centuries-old townscapes where travelers can move between its rich natural and cultural environments mindfully and in motion.
Whether on foot or on two wheels, these recommended experiences immerse travelers in local lifestyles, sea routes that seem to travel back in time to create a slow, sustainable, sensory-driven journey through Setouchi.
A ridgeline trail connects the four peaks of Mt. Monju, Mt. Kano, Mt. Genmei, and Mt. Dake in Suo-Oshima town, within Seto Inland Sea National Park. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 600 meters, the route is known locally as the Setouchi Alps. Each summit preserves historic religious sites set among lush, seasonal vegetation, and the Mt. Dake Observation Terrace offers sweeping views across the archipelago to the Shikoku Mountains.
This beginner-friendly, electric-assist bicycle tour follows the Akinada Tobishima Kaido, a sea route that begins the city of Kure and links seven islands by seven bridges across the Seto Inland Sea. Riders pass through coastal and quiet island roads and distinct port townscapes, ending in Mitarai, a well-preserved Edo-period merchant district on Osaki-Shimojima island that was featured in the 2021 Japanese film "Drive My Car."
Winner of the Cycling category at the 2026 Setouchi DMO Awards, Kamijima Tours leads unhurried, custom cycling journeys through the Kamijima islands, just east of the better-known Shimanami Kaido cycling route. The Kamijima route, known locally as the Yumeshima Kaido, is a lower-traffic alternative that crosses bridges and islands past seaside shrines, fishing villages, and citrus farms.
Additional cultural highlights and ways to explore the Setouchi region include:
Asageshiki Morning Walk and Open-Air Tea Ceremony: A morning ascent of Mt. Futaba in Hiroshima passes Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine and a tunnel of vermilion tori gates en route to Kinko Inari Shrine and the Peace Pagoda. At Okumiya, guest can take part in an open-air Japanese tea ceremony overlooking Hiroshima city, the Ota River Delta, and the Seto Inland Sea.
sokoiko! Bicycle Tour: sokoiko!'s Peace Tour takes riders through downtown Hiroshima on electric-assist bicycles, from the Atomic Bomb Dome to the streetcars that resumed service just days after the August 6, 1945 bombing and remain part of daily life in the city today. The tour begins and ends at Peace Memorial Park and is guided by locals.
Michi-no-Eki SAZANSETO TOWA: This roadside station in Suo-Oshima serves as a hub for exploring the island by bike, with bicycle rentals, a tourist information desk, local souvenirs and produce, and a restaurant serving regional seafood, along with panoramic Seto Inland Sea views.
For more information, visit Setouchi Travel.
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About Setouchi DMO
The Setouchi Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) serves as the gateway to Japan's Setouchi region, showcasing the culture, landscapes, and experiences of the seven prefectures pf Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, and Ehime. Visitors can explore traditional Japanese culture, take in landscapes ranging from the Seto Inland Sea to surrounding mountains, and sample regional specialties including fresh seafood and sake. The organization works to build the Setouchi brand and support the local economy through tourism promotion and the development of new tourism products and communities.
https://setouchitourism.or.jp/en/
Media Contact
Shannon Overholser, Redpoint, 1 212-229-0119, [email protected], https://redpointmarketingpr.com/
SOURCE Setouchi DMO
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