Sanyo & Setouchi Classic Rail Tour

A first-timer's route using the Shinkansen to connect Himeji, Kurashiki, Naoshima, Onomichi, Hiroshima, and Miyajima.

Travel west from Kansai along the Sanyo Shinkansen, visiting castles, white-walled canal districts, art islands, sloped historic streets, and World Heritage sites on a one-way route with no backtracking. The pace is moderate, with one major transfer per day. Ideal for first-time visitors to Japan or those who have already seen Kyoto. This route is highly compatible with regional rail passes. The San'in Coast and Shikoku are omitted.

Day by day

Day 1 · Himeji Castle to Okayama Korakuen

Kobe（Himeji Castle） → Okayama & Kurashiki（Okayama Korakuen、Okayama Castle）

Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Himeji (about 30 minutes), then continue to Okayama (about 20 minutes). Store your luggage and explore.

You can store your luggage at Himeji Station first. Inside the castle, you must remove your shoes and climb steep stairs; morning visits are less crowded.

Stay: Around Okayama Station

Day 2 · Castle in the Sky & Kurashiki Canals

Okayama & Kurashiki（Bitchu Matsuyama Castle、Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter、Ohara Museum of Art）

Take the Yakumo Limited Express to Bitchu-Takahashi (about 35 minutes), take a taxi up the mountain, and take the Limited Express to Kurashiki in the afternoon (about 20 minutes).

The Ohara Museum of Art is closed on Mondays. The hike up to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle involves a bit of mountain walking.

Stay: Kurashiki Bikan Historic Quarter

Day 3 · Ferry to the Art Island of Naoshima

Takamatsu & Naoshima（Chichu Art Museum、Benesse House Museum、Naoshima Yellow Pumpkin）

Travel from Kurashiki to Uno via Chayamachi (about 1 hour), take the ferry to Miyanoura (about 20 minutes), and use the island buses.

Online reservations are required for the Chichu Art Museum. Most museums on Naoshima are closed on Mondays.

Stay: Naoshima (Miyanoura & Honmura)

Day 4 · Honmura Art to Onomichi

Takamatsu & Naoshima（Art House Project (Honmura)） → Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido（Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street、ONOMICHI U2）

Explore Honmura in the morning, take the ferry back to Uno, take the JR train to Okayama, and take the Shinkansen to Fukuyama to transfer to the Sanyo Line for Onomichi.

Stay: Onomichi Station / Waterfront

Day 5 · Onomichi Slopes to Hiroshima

Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido（Senkoji Park & Ropeway、Senkoji Temple、Cat Alley (Neko no Hosomichi)） → Hiroshima（Okonomimura）

Take the ropeway up to Senkoji in the morning and walk down. Take the JR Sanyo Line to Hiroshima in the afternoon (about 1 hour).

Stay: Kamiyacho·Hondori

Day 6 · Peace Memorial Park & Downtown

Hiroshima（Peace Memorial Park & Museum、Atomic Bomb Dome、Hiroshima Orizuru Tower、Shukkei-en Garden、Hiroshima Museum of Art）

Mainly explore on foot, or take the streetcar for longer distances. Most attractions are within 20 minutes of each other.

It is recommended to reserve timed-entry tickets for the museum online; morning visits are more relaxed.

Stay: Kamiyacho·Hondori

Day 7 · Itsukushima Shrine & Overnight on Miyajima

Miyajima（Itsukushima Shrine、Senjokaku & Five-storied Pagoda、Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street）

Take the JR train to Miyajimaguchi (about 30 minutes), transfer to the ferry (about 10 minutes), and explore on foot. Travel light to the island.

An island tourist tax is collected with the ferry ticket. Staying overnight allows you to see the evening illumination and the floating torii gate at high tide.

Stay: Around Itsukushima Shrine

Day 8 · Mount Misen Views & Departure

Miyajima（Mount Misen、Daisho-in Temple）

Take the ropeway up Mount Misen in the morning. Take the ferry back to Miyajimaguchi in the afternoon, then take the JR train to Hiroshima Station (about 30 minutes).