Kagawa-Ehime Setouchi Shunsaikan

The Setouchi region's Seto Inland Sea is so beautiful it has earned the nickname "Jewel of the World." The region has been a cultural center for Japan since ancient times, and people have always lived here in harmony with nature. Setouchi is home to numerous historical sites and remains whose charms endure despite the passage of time. The inland sea has always provided a bounty of natural blessings for locals, and the region's warm and gentle climate and beneficial geographical features have given rise to numerous high-quality goods. Landscapes and scenery change with the passing years, but the pleasant feel of old-fashioned Japan remains alive here in Setouchi. Enjoy travel to the fullest at a slow, relaxed pace.

Visit Kagawa

Visit Ehime Japan

Explore Local Cuisine and Restaurants Setouchi offers a rich array of different flavors to enjoy. Any visitor to the region should try Sanuki udon noodles, a widely loved favorite of Kagawa Prefecture locals—stop by the many different restaurants to compare their tastes! And don't forget Ehime Prefecture's two distinct styles of tai-meshi, a dish of sea bream cooked with rice. Savor unique culinary cultures all throughout Setouchi!

Stunning Seaside, Island and Mountain Scenery Setouchi's coastline stretches east to west for 450 kilometers (280 miles), and the sea is filled with more than 3,000 islands of all sizes, making for some truly remarkable ocean scenery. All of this is set against the backdrop of Shikoku's mountains, which include Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in Western Japan. Kick back and enjoy Setouchi's richly varied, tranquil natural scenery.

Stunning Sights Around Every Corner in this Feudal Lord's Massive Garden

A strolling-type Japanese garden built for a feudal lord in the early Edo Period (early 17th century), Ritsurin Garden has a history of nearly 400 years. In recognition of its status as an important cultural asset to Japan, the garden has been officially dedicated as a "Special Place of Scenic Beauty," and it occupies a stunningly large area of roughly 75 hectares (185 acres)—the equivalent of about 16 Tokyo Domes! Ritsurin Garden is the largest in size among gardens designated by the government as cultural properties: Its expansive grounds contain 6 ponds and 13 artificial hills, all artfully placed, as well as 1,000 pine trees expertly shaped and kept healthy by caretakers. A stroll through the garden presents new and stunning sights around every corner, each different from the next. Ritsurin Garden received a three-star rating in the prestigious Michelin Green Guide Japan, and this historic site is celebrated throughout Japan and abroad as one of the nation's premier feudal estate gardens.

Enjoy Relaxing, Scenic Spots Only an Island Can Offer

Shodoshima Island is famous for its picturesque scenery and olive production. The second-biggest island in the Seto Inland Sea after Awajishima, Shodoshima is filled with a diverse array of enchanting natural scenery. Angel Road, a path of white sand that appears at low tide, a favorite of couples who traverse it hand-in-hand in hopes of making their wishes come true, as well as the Promising Hill Vista Point at the end of the path, are just a few of the island's many romantic spots. Shodoshima's Kankakei Gorge is included on the list of the three most beautiful valleys and gorges in Japan—in fact, the island is filled with wild mountain scenery accented by rough rock faces and changing foliage throughout the four seasons. The lovely landscapes and views are soothing to behold for pilgrims traveling the Shodoshima Pilgrimage, which covers 88 different sites.

Diverse Olive Products to Meet Health-related Needs

Olive trees have small, white flowers that bloom at the start of summer, and their branches sag under loads of yellow-green olive fruit in early autumn— both the olive blossom and olive tree are designated as Kagawa's prefectural flower and tree, respectively. A year after receiving a 1907 designation from the government ministry then known as the Ministry of Agricultural and Commerce, the Kagawa Prefecture Agricultural Experiment Station began planting olive saplings on Shodoshima Island, thus creating Japan's olive-growing industry. Thanks to the innovations and creative endeavors of local olive producers, Shodoshima's olive oils have earned numerous prizes in international competitions. In addition, products such as Olive Beef, Olive Yellowtail, olive tea, olive paste, fresh-olive pickles, cosmetic goods and more are made for a health-conscious consumer base, with demand for various product types continuing to grow.

Japan's Oldest Hot Spring Resort, Included in the Michelin Guide

Dogo Hot Springs boast a history of 3,000 years and are considered to be Japan's oldest hot spring resort. Glorified as a famous hot spring spot since ancient times, Dogo Hot Springs are included in important historical and literary documents including the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) and Man'yoshu ancient poetry collection. Dogo has been visited by important figures throughout history including the legendary Prince Shotoku, famous poet Kobayashi Issa, literary great Natsume Soseki, and celebrated poet Masaoka Shiki, among others. Dogo Onsen Honkan, a three-story wooden hot-spring bathing facility built in 1894, serves at a prominent symbol of this hot spring resort. The building has been officially designated as an Important Cultural Property and is widely viewed as the pinnacle of Meiji-period (1868–1912) Japanese architecture. Furthermore, it was the first public bath in Japan. In recent years, art festivals have been held using Dogo as a venue, and the events have proven popular among the younger generations. Dogo Hot Springs also earned a three-star rating in the prestigious Michelin Green Guide Japan and is visited by large numbers of tourists from abroad.

Japan's Only Cycling Route that Crosses an Entire Sea

The Nishiseto Expressway, more commonly known as the Shimanami Kaido, connects Imabari City (Ehime Prefecture) and Onomichi City (Hiroshima Prefecture) via elegant bridges linking islands scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea. The route includes a cycling course extending about 70 kilometers (43 miles) in length, and provides the only way in Japan for cyclists to ride across an entire sea. The world-famous route is considered a mecca among cycling enthusiasts, and it also serves as the venue for international cycling competitions. There are 15 bicycle rental stations along the Shimanami Kaido, and users can return bikes at any location along the route even if it differs from the original rental location, making this course highly accessible to novice cyclists as well. Cycle from island to island as you feel the Setouchi breeze on your face and take in the sparkling sea and blue skies all around you!

Ehime the Citrus Fruit Kingdom: Highest Yields and Most Varieties in Japan

Thanks to its uniquely temperate climate and year-round sunny weather, as well as high-quality, nutrient-rich agricultural land and water sources, Ehime Prefecture is the ideal location for citrus fruit cultivation. The prefecture earned its nickname "Citrus Fruit Kingdom" because it has higher yields and more citrus fruit varieties than anywhere else in Japan, and customers can get their hands on fresh citrus produce nearly any time of the year. In addition to mandarin oranges (Citrus unshiu), whose production began near the end of the Edo Period (latter half of the 19th century) in Yoshida-cho, Uwajima City, the prefecture produces Iyo-kan, ponkan and other citrus varieties, with more than 40 in total. In recent years, Ehime has developed and released new, one-of-a-kind citrus varieties including Beni Madonna, Kanpei, Himenotsuki and others, which have gained widespread popularity as high-end gifts.