Setouchi is one of Japan’s top hotspots for rejuvenating the body and soul, making it the perfect holiday destination for travellers looking to disconnect from the busyness of modern-day life.
Whether you are planning a holiday to completely disconnect from the busyness of modern daily life, or you’re looking to extend your travels around Japan with some slower paced and more relaxing activities, here are some of the key experiences and locations to visit on your Setouchi wellness trail.
Hot spring hopping at Kinosaki Onsen
Regarded as one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring towns, Kinosaki Onsen in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, boasts a history of more than 1,300 years. Easily accessible from both Osaka and Kyoto, visitors to the town can immerse themselves in the local culture by renting a colourful yukata – a traditional Japanese robe worn before and after bathing – to stroll around the historic streets hopping between its several public bath houses.
Boasting mineral rich waters, each of the bath houses of Kinosaki Onsen are said to offer different healing properties, while the town around them offers a relaxed atmosphere with traditional architecture and scenic willow-lined rivers. With its walkability and range of hot springs to explore in the comfort of your very own yukata, Kinosaki Onsen is a great place to spend at least one night so you can also explore the town’s restaurants serving delicious and healthy local dishes as well as the many traditional craft boutiques.
The ryokan, Sanpou Nishimuraya, has been welcoming guests in Kinosaki Onsen for more than 160 years and offers an ideal sanctuary for rest and relaxation complemented by its traditional Japanese gardens, sukiya-style architecture, and seasonal kaiseki cuisine.
Samurai experience at Yunogo Onsen
Located in Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, Yunogo Onsen is nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Chugoku region. The hot springs at Yunogo Onsen have been popular for its therapeutic ‘beauty-enhancing’ benefits for more than 1,200 years with the town now home to a selection of ryokan, hotels, and day-use bathing facilities.
Yunogo Onsen also offers the chance for visitors to experience other traditional cultural activities alongside their bathing experiences, such as an authentic samurai experience where you can learn the physical and mindset practices of this traditional Japanese martial art. Through the SAMURAI PROJECT in Mimasaka City, known as the birthplace of the great swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, guests can practice laido, the art of drawing and sheathing a sword, and refined samurai etiquette as they step into the samurai culture of Yunogo Onsen.
Zen activities at Shinshoji Temple
Originally built for monks’ training, Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, boasts the traditional architectural style of Zen temples in Japan, and today invites visitors to retreat from modern daily life and revitalise the body and mind. The temple includes a bathhouse, beautifully manicured gardens and offers guests a variety of ways to experience the spirit of Zen through activities such as tea tasting, Zen calligraphy, eating a Zen meal, taking a bath, or simply strolling through the peaceful gardens.
Shinshoji Temple is also home to a collection of Zen paintings and calligraphies by the prominent Zen master, Hakuin. Meanwhile, the temple is a key venue for the Hiroshima International Architecture Festival that is held from the 4th of October 2025 to 30th of November 2025.
Island cycling adventure
Surrounded by the tranquil natural scenery of the Seto Inland Sea, Suo-Oshima is both a town and an island in Oshima District, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Visitors keen to explore the island’s natural beauty can circumnavigate the island by following a designated course which showcases Suo Oshima’s beautiful coastline. Ideal for cycling with its quiet scenic roads, highlights of a cycling adventure on Suo Oshima include cruising past lush mountainous backdrops and idyllic beaches along the coast, experiencing the renowned Ryuzaki Onsen, and visiting some of the many mikan (citrus fruit) farms that Suo Oshima is famous for. Bicycle rentals are offered at Ryuzaki Onsen, and michi no eki SAZANSETO TOWA (roadside station).
