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Setouchi Region: Japan's Mediterranean of Sake, Onsen, and Scenic Trains

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. diterranean-of-sake-onsen-and-scenic-trains.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 14:42 GMT by Travel + Leisure

The Setouchi Region: Japan’s Mediterranean of Sake, Onsen, and Scenic Trains

Travel + Leisure’s feature on the Setouchi region—a stretch of the Seto Inland Sea that the author calls “Japan’s Mediterranean”—offers a sweeping tour of a place where art, water, and Japanese hospitality converge. The article paints a picture of islands that feel as exotic as any European archipelago, yet are steeped in a distinctly Japanese tradition of craftsmanship and culinary excellence. Below is a concise but thorough recap of the key points, with notes on the links that the original piece weaves in for deeper exploration.

1. The Mediterranean Analogy and the Setouchi Triennale

The article opens by noting that the Setouchi area is often dubbed the “Mediterranean of Japan” because of its mild climate, calm waters, and the way the sea glints on a sunny day. It also anchors the region’s contemporary identity around the Setouchi Triennale, an international art exhibition that takes place every three years on various islands such as Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima. Travel + Leisure links directly to the Setouchi Triennale page, which explains how artists from around the world install works that interact with the landscape—think large-scale sculpture gardens, light installations, and architectural redesigns that blur the boundary between art and environment.

The article encourages readers to visit the Naoshima art island, where the Mori Art Museum and the Lee Ufan Museum are housed in repurposed warehouses. It also highlights the Dōtō Museum of Art and the Naoshima Bath Museum, a quirky spot that pays homage to the region’s bathing culture while showcasing modern design. For travelers who wish to dive deeper into the Triennale’s history, the linked content provides a handy chronology of past exhibitions and upcoming dates.

2. A Taste of Sake: From Farm to Bottle

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Setouchi is its local sake, especially the Katsuyama and Shōjō varieties that are cultivated from the pristine water of the Inland Sea. The article describes a tour of a family-owned sake brewery where visitors can learn about the fermentation process, taste different grades, and even try a sake tasting kit on the spot. The brewery’s link (to a dedicated Travel + Leisure page on “Sake in Kagawa”) takes readers to an in‑depth guide to the region’s top breweries, complete with a map of the “Sake Trail” and profiles of award‑winning distilleries.

Travel + Leisure also points out that the best time to visit for sake is during the fall harvest, when the rice paddies are ripe and the climate is cooler—ideal for producing the smooth, mellow flavors that Setouchi’s brewers pride themselves on. The article offers practical tips: bring a small bottle of your own favorite Japanese beer to pair with the local rice dishes, and ask for a “Kirin” (a type of sake often served chilled) if you’re in a hurry.

3. Onsen Hot Springs: The Japanese Equivalent of Mediterranean Beach Towns

The region’s hot springs are celebrated as an integral part of the “Mediterranean” experience, offering a chance to unwind in mineral‑rich waters while enjoying the sea’s panoramic views. Travel + Leisure lists several onsen towns—most notably Muroto Onsen in Kōchi Prefecture and the quieter Iya Valley in Shikoku—each with its own unique charm. The article’s links to the Muroto Onsen page and the Iya Valley guide provide insider details such as the best times of day to soak (the sunrise at Muroto is said to be “transcendent”) and the recommended “Kurotora” (a traditional Japanese bathhouse with a bamboo roof).

There is also mention of Shodoshima’s Yoshida Onsen, which is famous for its “sea‑water” bath concept: the hot spring water is mixed with seawater for a rejuvenating experience that blends salt and heat. For those who want a more “back‑to‑nature” vibe, the article points readers to the Kōchi Onsen Trails, which weave through misty cedar forests and river gorges.

4. Scenic Trains: Moving From Island to Island

A major theme in the piece is the role of train travel in connecting the Setouchi islands. The author refers to the Seto Inland Sea Railway, a network of local lines and the iconic Ōnoda Line that connects Okayama with Takamatsu. The linked Japan Railways (JR) page gives a schedule of the Shimanami Kaido—a 70‑kilometre corridor of bridges that is both a popular cycling route and a scenic train path. The article emphasises that the Shimanami Kaido Train offers panoramic windows overlooking the sea, and recommends the “Sea of Stars” view from the rear car, which lets you see the sky reflected in the water at night.

Travel + Leisure also includes a mention of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen connection at Takamatsu, allowing visitors to hop on a bullet train back to Tokyo after a weekend of island-hopping. The article’s travel‑tips section notes that buying a Japan Rail Pass can be economical if you plan to visit multiple islands, and gives step‑by‑step instructions on how to book a “Japanican” package that includes the Setouchi area.

5. A Sample Itinerary: From Art to Onsen to Sake

The article concludes with a concise, two‑day itinerary that captures the essence of the region:

• Day 1: Start in Okayama, hop onto the JR line to Naoshima. Spend the morning exploring the Mori Art Museum and the Naoshima Bath Museum. In the afternoon, head to a local sake brewery for a tasting session. Return to Okayama for the night.
• Day 2: Take the train to Shodoshima, where you can walk along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route or simply ride the scenic train to the Yoshida Onsen. After a relaxing soak, head to Takamatsu for dinner featuring fresh seafood and local rice. Return to Okayama by night or board a Shinkansen to Tokyo the following morning.

For more elaborate itineraries, the article directs readers to a linked “Setouchi Travel Guide” that offers suggestions for extending the trip, such as visiting Teshima’s minimalist architecture or the Iya Valley’s ropeway‑capped waterfalls.

6. Bottom Line

Travel + Leisure’s “Setouchi, the Mediterranean of Japan” piece is a persuasive invitation to explore an often‑overlooked corner of Japan that combines natural beauty, culinary artistry, and cultural depth. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a sake connoisseur, a hot‑spring enthusiast, or a rail‑fan, the region delivers a multi‑sensory experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. The linked resources embedded in the article provide readers with practical tools—from train schedules to brewery maps—making it easier than ever to plan a trip that satisfies all the senses.

In short, the Setouchi region proves that even in a land famed for its precision and minimalism, there is space for a Mediterranean‑style escape that’s as vibrant as it is serene. Whether you’re stepping into a museum that feels like a cathedral, sipping a cloud‑soft sake, or watching the sea from a glass‑pane window, the experience is a testament to how place, culture, and craft can converge to create something truly unforgettable.