Located in western Japan, the Setouchi Region is the area around the Seto Inland Sea, the largest sea in Japan, surrounded by seven prefectures: Ehime, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Kagawa, Okayama, Tokushima, and Yamaguchi.

Setouchi has been a popular destination for domestic travellers for a long time, but now the area has been unveiled to international travellers. During the covid pandemic time, a number of new, very authentic luxury hotels, ryokan (traditional Inns) and onsen (hot spring) resorts opened in Setouchi. Let's have a look.


Dogo Onsen (Ehime)

Dogo Onsen is an ancient hot spring in Ehime Prefecture with a history of 3,000 years. It is said to be the oldest in Japan, appearing in the ancient Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Manyoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves). According to a local account written in 1710, a long time ago a wounded and suffering egret found a hot spring erupting from among the rocks, after immersing itself, the bird's wound was completely healed, and it flew away energetically. People who saw this were mystified, and when they tried bathing, they found it invigorating. According to legend, it relieved their fatigue, and the sick recovered quickly and completely.  This led to its widespread use.

Historical reports say that in 1636, baths were set up at Dogo Onsen for different purposes, including for warriors and monks, women, and commoner men. In 1890, the mayor of the town undertook the reconstruction of the main Dogo Onsen building, which was then dilapidated.

Dogo Onsen is not only a hot-spring resort with a variety of ryokan-style accommodations but also offers three public bathhouses for Onsen bathing. 

Dogo Onsen Honkan Bathhouse, the icon of Dogo Onsen Hot Spring Village, was designated as an important cultural asset of Japan and awarded the highest three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan in 2009.

Asuka-no-Yu Bathhouse was constructed in the architectural style of the Asuka period (592-710).

Tsubaki-no-Yu Bathhouse is in the centre of the Dogo shopping arcade and is an essential part of people's daily lives and a much-loved hot spring for local residents.

One of the attractions of Dogo Onsen is that it is tattoo-friendly. While many Japanese hot springs do not allow visitors with tattoos to enter due to their historical background in Japan, they are not banned at this onsen, which makes it more welcoming to international travellers. *Accommodations have different conditions for tattoos.

☑Recommended accommodation in Dogo Onsen area.
Bettei OBOROZUKIYO is a hidden ryokan, tucked away amongst several hotels and ryokans. The term 'Oborozukiyo' generally refers to a scene where the moon is slightly misty on a spring night. At Bettei Oborozukiyo, you can spend a moment getting in touch with your inner self.

All rooms are equipped with an open-air bath, so you can spend your time stargazing in comfort, without worrying about being seen. The meals are exquisite, with wild vegetables and seafood unique to this region.

Dogo Onsen Information
Address (Dogo Onsen Honkan Bathhouse): 5-6 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture
Website: https://dogo.jp/en/
Access: 40 minutes by Matsuyama Airport Limousine Bus from Matsuyama Airport, or 25 minutes by Iyotetsu Tram from JR Matsuyama Station.

Hotel Iya Onsen (Tokushima)

Hotel Iya Onsen is the only Onsen resort in Iya valley, which is considered one of Japan's three most secluded regions.

Iya Gorge cuts through the Shikoku Mountains and is spectacularly beautiful with its continuous sheer cliffs. In spring and summer, it is lush and green, and during autumn its surrounding trees turn a fiery red and orange creating an incredible contrast between the emerald water and the autumnal mountains - it is truly a natural work of art.

The Hotel Iya Onsen is the only hotel with an open-air bath where you can enjoy such magnificent views of the Iya Valley. The indoor hot spring "Sora no Yu" offers magnificent views from its large glass bath. The open-air bath 'Kiyora No Yu' is an open-air bath at the source of the spring. It can be reached by a cable car that takes you down to the bottom of the valley. You slowly descend down the 42-degree cliff, taking in the panoramic view.

Listen to the sound of the flowing river, feel the beauty of nature, and refresh yourself, forgetting the worries of modern life.

Hotel Iya Onsen Information
Address: 367-28, Matsumoto, Ikedacho Matsuo, Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture
Website: https://www.iyaonsen.co.jp/en/
Access:  Shuttle bus service is available from JR Oboke Station *reservation is required.

shiroshita koyado KOJIYA　(Okayama)

Stay in a historical building with 250 years of history and nostalgia in this castle town, the home of some impressive Edo period (1603 – 1868) architecture. The former Kanda Sake Brewery, founded in the Edo period, is designated as a nationally important cultural asset. In 2020, four townhouses attached to this historical sake brewery were reborn as accommodation facilities, retaining the atmosphere of yesteryear. Immerse yourself in local history by meditating, conversing with your beloved ones and enjoying a relaxing experience while slowly drinking tea and gazing at the Japanese garden.

You can also relax in an onsen and enjoy luxury Japanese cuisine at the group hotel, THE SHIROYAMA TERRACE TSUYAMA VILLA.

shiroshita koyado KOJIYA Information
Address: 68, Haida-machi, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture
Website: https://www.tsuyama-kojiya.com/en/
Access:  Check-in at THE SHIROYAMA TERRACE TSUYAMA VILLA. 10 minutes walk from JR Tsuyama Station *Shuttle bus is available with reservation.

Azumi Setoda (Hiroshima)

Located on Ikuchijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, halfway along the increasingly popular 70km Shimanami Kaido cycling route, this luxurious contemporary ryokan was renovated from a 140-year-old private house.

The renewal was supervised by Adrian Zecha of Aman Resorts, which operates luxury hotels worldwide.

The scent of cypress trees that pervades the rooms and the elaborate design of the house makes it an exceptionally relaxing place to spend time during your Shimanami holiday.

From this base, you can enjoy the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea on a catamaran, island-hop around and see the contemporary artworks that dot the nearby islands, enjoy yoga, or simply enjoy the calm weather and atmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea.

Azumi Setoda is located along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, so guests can stay overnight on their cycling trip. There is also a boat service from Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, so non-cycling travellers can easily access the hotel.

Azumi Setoda Information
Address: 269 Setodacho Setoda, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Website: https://azumi.co/setoda/en/
Access: Accessible from Onomichi, Hiroshima or Imabari, Ehime by ferry, car, bicycle. Please check the official website for the details.

SETOUCHI COMINCA STAYS (Hiroshima and Ehime) 

Experience something different at SETOUCHI COMINCA STAYS, where you can get away from the daily grind for a moment of healing. This is a vacation rental-style accommodation facility where you can enjoy the luxury of using an entire traditional building in the beautiful, undiscovered Setouchi area.

There are five SETOUCHI COMINCA STAYS accommodation locations, all of which are old buildings that have remained in the area. The dignified and quiet atmosphere, which evokes the history of the place and people's lives, will give you a feeling that you cannot experience in typical hotels and ryokan. The accommodation has high-quality facilities that preserve the best of a traditional stay but still allow modern guests to relax and feel at ease.

Cominca has two distinct accommodation options, three in Hiroshima and two in Ehime.

In Hiroshima

• CHOJAYA is a 250-year-old farmhouse that has been fully renovated and is available for a limited number of couples to enjoy the vast nature nearby.
• FUROSEN is a high-quality accommodation sitting quietly at the end of a valley where legend has it that hermits once lived. The house offers exclusive views of the magnificent valley and is a fantastic place to relax.
• KOZAKO-MORI is a unique 100-year-old house and glamping experience, tucked away in a rich forest.

In Ehime

• This tasteful wooden Japanese house is in the heart of the historic town centre. It's a contemporary house that combines the best of Japanese design with a modern sensibility and is a spacious and quiet place where guests can relax.
• HISA is a luxury merchant house that combines traditional Japanese design with a modern style - East meets West. It is a one-room inn with a renovated traditional sunken hearth, dining space and comfortable sofas.

Setouchi Cominca Stays offers a luxurious time-travelling experience for you and your loved ones or friends. Whether it's an exclusive and different type of slow travel for just adults, or a trip with your children to learn about the importance of nature and history, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Setouchi Cominca Stays Information
Address: Several locations in Hiroshima prefecture and Ehime Prefecture
Website: https://cominca-stays.com/


HOTEL ANABUKI-TEI (Kagawa)

Reopened in September 2022, ANABUKI-TEI is a spacious mansion that has been renovated into a hotel, limited to one booking per day. Once you pass through the main gate, you can enjoy the richness of a private space, cut off from the outside world, where you can do nothing but enjoy the peacefulness of nature and the outdoor spa. It boasts an area of 888 square metres, including a Japanese garden and outbuildings, and is built in the style of a castle. A large black pine tree greets you as you pass through the large gate, and you can detox in the open-air bath and sauna. Meals are prepared on the spot by a skilled chef to your liking, allowing you to have a special time all to yourself. 　

Setouchi's art islands, including Naoshima Island, have attracted attention in recent years with the Setouchi International Art Festival and other events. The mother port for the ferries that travel around these islands is Takamatsu Port in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. ANABUKI-TEI is located in the town not far from the port, making it the perfect base for going out to the nearby art islands where you can check out all the incredible contemporary art on display.

ANABUKI-TEI is an exquisite and luxurious experience.

HOTEL ANABUKI-TEI  Information
Address: 1-7-15, Jotocho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa Prefecture
Website: https://www.anabukitei.jp/en/
Access: Pick-up service is available from Takamatsu Airport and JR Takamatsu Station.

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About Setouchi, Japan

Located in western Japan, the Setouchi Region is the area around the Seto Inland Sea, which is the largest sea in Japan, surrounded by seven prefectures: Ehime, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Kagawa, Okayama, Tokushima, and Yamaguchi. It is known around the world for its beautiful scenery and calm, glass-like water and islands that look as if they are floating. The region has fostered a history and culture that has been influenced by the sea and as a result has great attractions that are appealing to any visitor.

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