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.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Himeji Castle to Okayama Korakuen
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.
住宿：岡山站周邊
第 2 天 · Castle in the Sky & Kurashiki Canals
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.
住宿：倉敷美觀地區
第 3 天 · Ferry to the Art Island of Naoshima
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.
住宿：直島（宮浦·本村）
第 4 天 · Honmura Art to Onomichi
高松·直島（家Project（本村）） → 尾道·島波海道（尾道本通商店街、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.
住宿：尾道站·海濱
第 5 天 · Onomichi Slopes to Hiroshima
尾道·島波海道（千光寺公園與千光寺山纜車、千光寺、貓之細道） → 廣島（御好燒村）
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).
住宿：紙屋町·本通
第 6 天 · Peace Memorial Park & Downtown
廣島（和平紀念公園與資料館、原爆圓頂館、廣島摺紙塔、縮景園、廣島美術館）
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.
住宿：紙屋町·本通
第 7 天 · Itsukushima Shrine & Overnight on Miyajima
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.
住宿：嚴島神社周邊
第 8 天 · Mount Misen Views & Departure
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).