From fishing for dinner to "walking on water" at sunset, five outdoor experiences along the Seto Inland Sea connect travelers to local food, lore and natural surroundings.
SETOUCHI, Japan, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Beyond its celebrated art islands and cycling routes, Japan's Setouchi region offers five outdoor experiences that bring travelers closer to the Seto Inland Sea. Visitors can net fish with locals on Teshima, raft the whitewater gorges of the Yoshino River, and explore a tiny island linked to Japan's creation myth. With a mild climate and calm waters, the region makes these experiences accessible to all ages, offering a deeper look at island life, spiritual origins and dramatic natural phenomena.
Teshima Beach Seine Fishing
On Teshima, a small island in Kagawa Prefecture, local fishermen lead hands-on beach fishing experiences for travelers, open to all ages. Working in groups as small as two, participants haul a mini net in from the shallows, then learn to identify the day's catch. Those who book the meal plan cook it with the locals in traditional Teshima style, sitting down to sashimi, grilled fish, and rice prepared in a hagama, a traditional Japanese rice pot. Experiences for groups of two to 10 start at US $418 (¥66,000 total), or US $696 (¥110,000 total) with the meal, and approximately 25-minutes by passenger boat or 40-minutes by ferry from Uno Port to leura Port on Teshima Island.
Chichibugahama Beach: Walking on Water at Sunset
Often called "Japan's Uyuni" for its resemblance to Bolivia's famed salt flats, Chichibugahama Beach in Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture, turns into a vast natural mirror at low tide. As the water recedes, the shallow beach stretches about one kilometer (0.6 miles) along the coast, and on calm evenings the tide pools reflect the sky so perfectly that visitors appear to walk on water. Travelers can extend the visit with an overnight stay in Mitoyo, where quiet temples and shrines sit alongside restaurants serving Sanuki udon, Kagawa's signature thick wheat noodle. The beach is about 30 minutes by taxi or community bus from JR Takuma Station. Approximately 25 minutes by community bus or 30 minutes by taxi from JR Takuma Station. Community bus services do not operate on Sundays or public holidays.
Nushima Island: Tracing Japan's Creation Myth
One of the sites associated with Japan's origin story, as described in its oldest history books, is the legendary Onokoro Island. In Hyogo Prefecture, just south of Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea, the tiny green island of Nushima inherits this legend. Visitors can walk to Onokoro Shrine at the foot of the island's mountain and take in the striking rock formations along the southern coast, best seen from the water, including the 30-meter (98-foot) Kamitategami-iwa, said to be the model for the heavenly pillar of the creation story. Nushima is about 10 minutes by ferry from Minamiawaji on Awaji Island.
Yoshino River Rafting: Ride the Rapids Through Gorgeous Gorges
Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, is home to the Yoshino River, which carves through the Oboke and Koboke gorges in Miyoshi in the Tokushima Prefecture. Local outfitter GoGo Adventure leads half- and full-day trips with English-speaking certified guides and full flotation gear, so even first-timers and non-swimmers can take part. Between rapids, rafters can swim and cliff jump, and back on shore there are changing rooms and a hot lunch on the full-day tours. Half-day tours start from US $45 per person (¥7,000) and full-day tours from US $57 per person (¥9,000), or from US $32 per person for a family half day tour (¥5,000). Prices vary by season. It is approximately 10 minutes by complimentary shuttle from JR Awa-Kawaguchi Station (advance reservation required).
Uzushio Cruise: Witness Powerful Whirlpools
In the Naruto Strait between Awaji Island and Shikoku, shifting tides create some of the world's largest whirlpools, which can reach up to 20 meters (66 feet) across. The hour-long Uzushio Sightseeing Cruise departs from Fukura Port in Minami-Awaji in the Hyogo Prefecture, and passes beneath the Great Naruto Bridge for a close look at the whirlpools and how they form. Tickets start at US $19 per person (¥3,000), and the starting point is approximately 90 minutes by bus from the Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal to the Kosoku Maiko bus stop, and express bus from there to the Fukura Bus Terminal.
For more information on any of these experiences, visit Setouchi Travel.
Additional photo assets are available for download here.
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 of 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, Setouchi DMO, 1 2122290119, [email protected], https://www.setouchi.travel/en/
SOURCE Setouchi DMO
Share this article