8 good reasons to go to Setouchi in Japan

One hour by train from Osaka, the Setouchi region surprises by the diversity of its landscapes, its cultural and gastronomic richness. Discover the Seto Inland Sea in 13 spots.

1/ An incredible garden in Takamatsu

With 1400 varieties of pine trees, 6 ponds, 13 artificial hills, a waterfall, 7 traditional Japanese houses, a tea room… the Ritsurin garden is simply magnificent. It presents the typical techniques of Japanese gardens.

Open all year round from 5:30am to 7pm in summer and from 7am to 5pm in winter.

My-kagawa.jp/ritsuringarden

2/ A Shinto shrine in Kotohira

The Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple of Kotohira-gu shrine in Kagawa Prefecture, was built around the year 1000. Located at 521 meters above sea level, on Mt. Zozu, the main building is accessible after climbing 785 steps. At the end of the day, visitors gradually desert the place.

Several buildings surround it, including a temple dedicated to sailors with wooden boats, paintings, storm lamps, open from 6 am to 5 pm (winter) and 6 pm (summer).

3/ A kabuki theater in Kotohira

Konpira Oshibai, the oldest active kabuki theater in Japan was built in 1835 in Kotohira while the city was attracting many visitors to the nearby shrine. The wooden building accommodates spectators in a small but beautiful hall with 740 seats. For each play, lasting 2 to 3 hours, the actors enter through the agemaku (curtain) while the musicians, seated on the right, take their instruments. Three times a year, a kabuki festival attracts lovers of traditional Japanese theater.

Open all year round from 9am to 5pm. Admission 500 yen.

4/ Megijima, Honjima, Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima: arty islands in the Seto Inland Sea

With more than 700 islands, some of which are still uninhabited, the Seto Inland Sea offers the opportunity to discover permanent and/or ephemeral museums and artistic installations. Not to be missed: Megijima, Honjima, Naoshima, Teshima,Inujima.

To get from island to island, please check the ferry schedules.

5/ Kurashiki: a walk out of time

In the historic district of Bikan, classified as a national heritage site, traditional houses and stores line the canal. The Ohara museum houses an amazing collection of western paintings by Monet, Picasso and Fontana. Within the museum, the wing dedicated to craftsmanship is worth a visit. The Museum of Crafts, a few meters away, is also worth the detour.

Ohara.or.jp

6/ Kurashiki, the cradle of denim

Japanese denim is known for its rough canvas, perfect patina indigo, pocket and rivet details. This is where the first Japanese jeans were made in 1965. The region’s refined, locally grown cotton is used to produce high quality models. Kojima Jeans street brings together 38 stores entirely dedicated to selvedge.

Jeans-street.com

7/ A 3-star garden in Okayama

There are few gardens like the Korakuen Garden listed in the Michelin Green Guide. Created in 1700 by the feudal lord of the region, it is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Around the main Enyô-tei house where the lord stayed, the garden covers 13 hectares and includes a tea house, a Noh theater, a tea plantation, ponds, a rice field, flowers. In the center, the Ryû-ten pavilion is crossed by a stream where colored stones are placed. Throughout the year, several events are organized: New Year’s Day, burning of komo (straw blankets that protect the pine trees in winter), rice transplanting festival, etc.

Okayama-korakuen.jp

8/ The unique know-how of the potters

The city of Bizen is one of the six pottery production centers of the country. Rich of a thousand-year-old history, it is characterized by its ochre, brown and red tones. A color obtained by the heat of the ground and the movement of the flames in the pine wood kiln, after a firing of 8 to 20 days. Today, nearly 300 workshops produce everyday objects and rarer pieces. On the 3rd weekend of October, a fair dedicated to ceramics brings together lovers of this thousand-year-old know-how.

city.bizen.okayama.jp

Practical Setouchi :

Tourist office of Setouchi www.setouchitrip.com

Getting there

ANA offers Paris-Tokyo flights starting at 609 €.

photo credits: Sokha Keo